Our Legacy
Our Mission
To build beautiful, lasting bridges that reflect integrity, craftsmanship, and care: connecting people, places, and generations. With God as our foundation, we are committed to building structures that stand the test of time, with values that endure for generations.
Our Values
We build every bridge with integrity, guided by faith-inspired principles that hold us to a higher standard. With over four decades of experience, we craft for permanence, delivering work defined by precision, pride, and respect for the land, our collaborators, and the responsibility of every project.
Our Vision
To set the standard for timber bridge design and construction - where quality, trust, and doing the right thing always come first. We believe how you build matters just as much as what you build, and we’re here to prove it.
Legacy Statement
This isn’t our first bridge. Montana Bridge Company is rooted in a 40-year history of building some of the most enduring and respected timber bridges in the country. Our founder spent nearly four decades earning a reputation for doing things the right way - even when it wasn’t easy. That’s the legacy we carry forward today: honest work, built to last, by people you can count on.
— Meet James York
Founder, Visionary, and Master Craftsman
In 1985, James York changed the landscape of American bridge building - literally. Mr. York pioneered the timber bridge industry in the U.S. and beyond, innovating, designing, and forging thousands of structures across four continents. After 38 years of leading the field, he stepped away.
But legacy has a way of calling you back.
Today, he returns with Montana Bridge Company - a nationwide timber bridge building firm built on decades of experience, a passion for excellence, and a relentless commitment to craft. From vehicular and pedestrian crossings to boardwalks and covered bridges, every project reflects James York’s original vision: to create bridges that serve with strength, endure with purpose, and elevate the landscapes they live in.
Building Bridges and Communities
At Montana Bridge Company, we don’t build bridges alone — we build them with people. Over decades, we’ve partnered with engineers, developers, ranchers, municipalities, and local trades to bring projects to life efficiently and with care. These relationships ensure every bridge not only meets technical standards but also strengthens the communities it serves.
Our deep connections with American timber mills and local jurisdictions allow us to deliver solutions that are beautiful, durable, and meaningful. By working closely alongside our clients and partners, we create bridges that connect more than just land — they connect people, purpose, and place.
— A Word From our Founder
Every bridge deserves a balance of engineering and creativity, where performance and beauty are equally important and longevity is built into every detail.
From the beginning of my career, I felt called to go against the norm – to show the world that timber is not only strong and enduring, but also the most beautiful, aesthetic, and timeless material you can build with. Every bridge is a chance to prove that truth.
For me, building bridges has never been just about connecting roads or spanning rivers. It’s about craftsmanship, integrity, and care. It’s about creating structures that stand the test of time and honor the generations who will walk across them. And it’s about staying true to the values that guide us – faith, honesty, and excellence in every detail.
I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to do this work. Each bridge is more than a project – it’s a reflection of our purpose, our commitment, and our belief that when we build with faith and vision, we create something that will last far beyond us.
— James York, Bridge Designer & Industry Pioneer
