Red Bridge fire, Sept 19, 2024 (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

1 YEAR SINCE FIRE

Community calls for answers on Red Bridge replacement; minister set to dodge Kamloops delegation at UBCM

Sep 19, 2025 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops RCMP state the investigation into the Red Bridge fire remains a priority for the detachment. Mounties have confirmed the fire is being investigated as an arson, but one year after the blaze, no arrests have been made.

While planning work on a replacement for the bridge is underway, a conceptual design of the “preferred options” won’t be available until the spring of next year, with no timeline presented for when construction may actually begin on the vital connection.

In the wee hours of September 19, 2024, Mounties believe the historic Red Bridge in Kamloops was intentionally set ablaze. The 88-year-old creosote-soaked wooden bridge quickly collapsed into the South Thompson River.

“There has been a lot of work being done behind the scenes, obviously, but from the city’s perspective, from Tkʼemlúps perspective, we would like to see things move along a little faster than they have been,” said Kelly Hall, the city’s deputy mayor for September.

ONE MAN'S OPINION

COLLINS: There is no disgrace in being cheesy once in a while

21h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

Dec 04, 2025

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

The bridge was provincial infrastructure connecting the city of Kamloops to Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc’s land, bringing all three parties together in the work to rebuild. Hall, however, noted it’s been hard to get face time with Minister Mike Farnworth — even at UBCM next week.

“You would think that our request to meet with the minister of transportation would have been accepted, but in fact it was actually denied,” stated Hall. “We had a great opportunity to give the community an update as to how progress is going with the Red Bridge. But for whatever reason, the ministry decided that they didn’t want to meet with the council of Kamloops, which is extremely disappointing.”

CFJC News also tried to speak with the minister, however he was not made available for an interview at any time this week. The ministry did, however, provide a brief statement, reiterating its commitment to rebuilding and moving through the process as quickly as possible.

“While various transportation options are being explored to restore access across the South Thompson River, our primary focus is on a conceptual bridge replacement design. As we work through the planning process, we remain committed to moving forward as quickly and thoughtfully as possible,” reads the emailed statement.

That statement provided little comfort to businesses on the north side of the river.

“I’m sorry, (co-owner) Shawn has been desperately trying to get answers from anybody in any level of government since this happened, and all we get is crickets,” said Robyn Haley, co-owner of Erwin’s Fine Baking. “People come in here thinking we’re going to know what’s going one because we are a business directly impacted by this, and horrifically, [we know] nothing.”

The loss of easy access into the Mount Paul Industrial Park is a story heard daily for those at Purity Feed.

“They make the effort and come on over, but now they will do it on Saturday rather than during the week,” explained store manager Mary Ellen Dalgleish. “They used to be able to do it at their lunch hour from downtown, zip over across the bridge, do what they need to do and have it ready for the weekend.”

At one point post fire, Erwin’s numbers were down 80 per cent. The business has been able to stabilize but still feels the effects. For the businesses, the ask is rather simple — keep them informed about the process and provide a clear timeline for the rebuild.

“Shawn and I could kill ourselves, go into even more debt, and then find out six months from now or a year from now we do actually, in fact, have to walk away. And that would break my heart on so many levels,” said Haley. “We are so attached to the people who we serve, we have been part of the community for 54 years, and we can’t get an answer?”

Kúkpi7 Casimir shares concerns

The Red Bridge lost to fire in 2024 was the third iteration of the crossing between the city of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.

While the impacts of losing the bridge have been felt across the community, both Indigenous and not, the bridge served as the main connection for many on Tk’emlups land.

“For our community it was about accessibility and being able to walk, ride their bikes, for young moms to be pushing their strollers,” said Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir. “And for those who also work in the area to be able to access either side of the river, so to be able to access the city but also for those coming over to either work or for those who reside in the community. [The fire] had a huge impact.”

The loss of the Red Bridge, combined with current construction on the Overlanders, has also led to a marked increased to traffic along the highway through the Tk’emlúps community.

Much like local business owners and the City of Kamloops, Casimir says she is not satisfied with how the process has played out to date.

“No, it’s been over a year and there is no feasibility plan completed yet. There is no confirmation of when that Red Bridge is going to be built,” added Casimir.