GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The woman whose efforts saved the bridge on Tenth Street from being destroyed in 1994 has passed away.
Arlyne Reichert was 98 when she died at Peace Hospice in Great Falls on May 3.
Arlyne’s legacy follows her through the entire state, as she was one of 100 delegates to rewrite Montana’s constitution.
“In 1994, Arlyne mobilized a community of supporters to save the Historic Tenth Street Bridge from imminent demolition. She led efforts to raise millions of dollars for the Bridge’s restoration for pedestrians. It truly was a labor of love that required thirty years of daily effort. Arlyne crossed life’s last bridge peacefully, knowing her namesake bridge is safely in the hands of a new generation of supporters,” Arlyne’s obituary said.
The bridge on Tenth Street was scheduled to be demolished after a newer bridge was built over the Missouri on Ninth Street. Nowadays, the bridge, renamed the Arlyne Reichert Community Heritage Bridge serves as a gateway for pedestrians between Great Falls and the Black Eagle community.
There will be a service to celebrate Arlyne’s life on Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.
The community is invited to share memories, take a quiet moment, bring flowers for the bridge, set up a chair to reflect on living in the Last Best Place, or partake in whatever activities help honor Arlyne best at the south end of the ARCH bridge.
