Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Victor Kaisar

Red Bridge Replacement

Urban Systems awarded contract to help plan and design Red Bridge replacement in Kamloops

Aug 12, 2025 | 6:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. government has awarded a contract to Urban Systems Limited to help conduct planning and design work on a replacement for the Red Bridge in Kamloops.

In a statement to CFJC Today, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit said the contract was signed in late June, following the completion of a request for proposal (RFP) process.

“The ministry recently started the planning and design project in partnership with Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops to determine transportation plans over the South Thompson River,” the statement said.

Built in 1936, the Red Bridge was destroyed by a fire in on Sept. 19 last year. Its loss has led to a larger volume of traffic on Highway 5.

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At this time, the ministry said it is not able to say what a replacement bridge will look like as planning and design work is the preliminary stages.

“Engineering investigations and analysis of replacement options are currently underway, along with an evaluation of potential improvements to the broader transportation network in the Kamloops area,” the ministry said.

“Once the planning and design engineering team has gathered the necessary information, the ministry will be in a better position to explain what a long-term solution looks like.”

The Ministry added its also too early to also speculate about potential costs.

“In general, the Province’s assets are self-insured, so the replacement cost would be the responsibility of the Province,” the Ministry noted.

The update comes as some Kamloops councillors want city staff to provide information on the work that’s been done to replace the Red Bridge. They’re also want staff to “speak to the necessity” for a new river crossing in Kamloops which has been discussed for years.

“We are not making a decision between a Red Bridge and another access point,” Councillor Katie Neustaeter said. “It’s a non-negotiable point. Kamloops is owed two bridges.”

Of the four bridges in Kamloops – the Overlanders Bridge and the Lafarge Bridge fall under city jurisdiction, while the Halston Bridge and the Yellowhead Highway Bridge fall under provincial jurisdiction.

The Red Bridge was also under provincial jurisdiction. It was a load-restricted structure with vehicle travel lanes that measured just 2.7 metres wide, well below the standard width of 3.5 meters.

It was the third wooden truss bridge that spanned the South Thompson River connecting Lorne Street and Mount Paul Way.

The first bridge, which replaced a ferry in 1887, was destroyed by flooding in 1909. A replacement bridge that opened in 1912 was then destroyed in 1934 by fire caused by a spark from a passing paddle steamer

According to the Province, the third iteration of the bridge underwent five rehabilitation projects over its 88-year life.

In a statement to CFJC Today, Kamloops RCMP said the investigation into the suspicious fire is still ongoing.

Police previously said they suspect arson as the cause of the fire, and they’re asking people with information to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment and reference file 2024-31206.