Destroyed Middlesboro Bridge 2021 (Image Credit: Greg Lowis — City of Merritt)

By Michael Reeve

Merritt Flood Recovery

Middlesboro Bridge in Merritt takes step toward rebuild

Nov 17, 2023 | 4:48 AM

MERRITT B.C. — The new Middlesboro Bridge has taken a significant step forward with an approved design shown to the public on Thursday.

The bridge was destroyed in the 2021 atmospheric river event which forced thousands from their homes in the community, some of which have still not be able to return home now two years later.

Earlier this year, the province announced $9.6 million in funding for Merritt to rebuild the link between the heart of the city and the community of Collettville.

“The new bridge will be built to modern standards, at 1.5 meters higher than the original structure, capable of withstanding a one-in-200-year flood event and accommodating a 65% increase in water volume. The new bridge will also accommodate a more active transportation design, with a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lane as well as two lanes of traffic,” reads a press release from the city.

(image credit – City of Merritt)

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The new bridge will also be built without a middle pillar in the river to allow for greater water-flow in the event of another natural disaster.

“Recovering from a natural disaster is a long process of damage assessments, funding applications, design development and requests for proposals long before any construction can commence,” said Michael Goetz, mayor, City of Merritt. “While the City has been able to make a number of major repairs, seeing the scar of the missing Middlesboro Bridge has been a painful daily reminder of that harrowing event. I’d like to thank the Province for providing the funding to repair this important transportation link, which will not only ease transportation routes for our residents, but also revive our commercial corridors.”

The contract to build the bridge has been awarded with construction scheduled to begin in early 2024, with completion pegged for later 2024 or early 2025.