Four Bears Bridge, Road bridge in New Town, United States
The Four Bears Bridge is a road crossing spanning nearly 2 kilometers (1 mile) across the Missouri River, linking New Town with communities to the south. The structure uses arches between piers and follows the natural contours of the surrounding landscape.
Construction of this bridge took place between 2003 and 2005, replacing an earlier structure from 1934 that had to be relocated when the Garrison Dam created a reservoir. The rising water made the old crossing unusable.
The bridge displays medallions honoring the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes and nineteen of their leaders. These emblems serve as visible recognition of the indigenous peoples whose lands surround the crossing.
The bridge carries Highway 23 traffic safely between the two communities and accommodates pedestrian walkers. Visitors can use observation points along the crossing to look out over the lake and surrounding terrain.
The arches between the piers are intentionally designed to mirror the shape of nearby hills, creating a subtle connection between the bridge and its surroundings. This thoughtful design allows the crossing to blend naturally with the landscape.
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