Remnants of the Red Bridge on Sept. 19, 2024. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Victor Kaisar

Red Bridge Update

‘Preferred options’ for Red Bridge replacement expected to come forward next spring: province

Sep 18, 2025 | 10:31 AM

KAMLOOPS — While planning work on a replacement for the Red Bridge in Kamloops is underway, a conceptual design of the “preferred options” won’t be available until the spring of next year.

That is according to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, which is leading the planning process in partnership with Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops.

In June, the Ministry awarded a contract to Urban Systems to help conduct planning and design work on a replacement for the 88-year-old bridge, which was destroyed by fire on Sept. 19 last year.

“It includes a conceptual design for a modern replacement bridge on the original alignment, and will also assess other transportation solutions, review traffic and site data, and evaluate how potential options could affect adjacent infrastructure,” the ministry said in a statement Thursday (Sept. 18).

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“The ministry, Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops remain committed to advancing the planning process as quickly as possible, with the shared goal of reconnecting these communities in a way that aligns with provincial requirements and positions the project for future funding opportunities.”

Last week, Premier David Eby called the Red Bridge a “crucially important connector” in Kamloops and said he is urging Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth to “find a path way to deliver a replacement” structure over the South Thompson River.

“And he’ll have more to say about that work that we’re doing together,” Eby said. “I continue to encourage him to do that work with the community. The impact of that severed connection is profoundly inconvenient for the local community and I know it’s on the transportation minister’s list of priorities.”

Built in 1936, the Red Bridge was a load-restricted structure with vehicle 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 connected Lorne Street and Mount Paul Way, and it underwent five rehabilitation projects over its 88-year life.

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.

“Since the loss of the bridge, the ministry has been working closely with Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops to manage traffic impacts,” the ministry added.

“The improvements include the installation of a centre median barrier on Highway 5 between the Valleyview Interchange and East Shuswap Road, the removal of the left-turn access from Highway 5 onto River Street and the extension of the left-turn lane onto Mount Paul Way.”

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.

You can find the latest updates on the status of the Red Bridge project here.