Startling Government Waste: Montana’s Million Dollar F#@k Up

Growing up in Central Montana, one thing I always heard about was what the grown-ups called the "Million Dollar F#@k Up". It was "just outside of Conrad", which is about 35 miles. I never saw it, but I sure heard grown-ups laughing about it and how stupid the government was and so on.

What Is The Million Dollar F#@k Up Really Called And Where Is It?

The Million Dollar F#@k Up is actually The Safeguard Montana Complex. It's around 25 miles out of Ledger, almost a straight shot.

How Did The Safeguard Montana Complex Come To Be?

It all goes back to the Cold War in America.

The United States' Safeguard program was developed in the 1960's to defend the Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from an attack from Soviet Union.

When American's complained that the Sentinel Project was too close to populated areas, they cancelled the project and started the new Safeguard Project "away from populated areas.

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So, the proceeded to build one where WE LIVE, The Montana Safeguard Project. (I love how they count us as acceptable losses, but I digress.) and another in North Dakota by Grand Fork.

When Did The Building Begin on The Montana Safeguard Project?

It all started in 1968. Around 9,000 people helped build the site that used 8 and a half million pounds of steel with concrete walls. The walls of the structure are between 3 feet and 10 feet thick. There were also elevators constructed to help move material easier.

The estimated cost in 1968 was around $64 million dollars. There were several pauses in building due to a variety of reasons. Building continued off and on through the very early 1970's.

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The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (SALT)

The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (SALT) was signed and it allowed for only one such site. Due to all of the stalling, the Safeguard Montana Complex was only 10% complete. The United States Government went with the North Dakota complex since it was further along than the Montana property.

The US Government abandoned the property. It's hard to say just when. One source says 1974, another says 1973.

The Site Became Local Legend, And The Butt Of Some Jokes

When it became clear Montana was out, cleanup and restoration took place at the sites. Contractors cut away steel, wiring, piping, fixtures and more were scrapped. Then topsoil was dozed into the foundation.

Now, the unfinished Cold War relic stands as a sign of government waste, known to locals as The Million Dollar F-Up.

Sources: Wikipedia, YouTube, Brady Lavigne, SMRSC, US History of Foreign Relations

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