Kamloops, Tkemlúps preparing to ramp up pressure on Victoria for Red Bridge replacement

“It’s really frustrating because we know where the best location is for the bridge.”

Representatives from the city and Tkemlúps met with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit this month, and there is agreement that a replacement for the Red Bridge remains a top priority. However, Kamloops Councillor Kelly Hall says the province has legislation in place that allows it act quicker.

“I look at the government’s Bill 15 – the infrastructure bill – that expedites building of schools or hospitals,” Hall said. “That bill also enables the province to enact emergency measures to put in infrastructure like a bridge.”

“We as a community are saying, ‘Why is it taking so long when you put this bill in place for exactly what the city of Kamloops and Tkemlúps are looking for, which is a bridge?'”

No Designs Yet

Both councils agree a replacement bridge should be one lane in each direction – wider than the old bridge – with a walking path and better lighting. A conceptual design of the “preferred options” was expected this spring, but that timeline has now been removed from the province’s website.

Instead, the province now says geotechnical, environmental and archaeological work is scheduled to take place this spring.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Tkemlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops on long-term transportation planning that reflects the community’s needs and respects the cultural significance of the site,” a statement from the province said.

There is also no word on when potential designs for the bridge – and costs – will be released, and that’s a problem, given the province’s current financial state.

“We can do all this work but what happens if we get the response, ‘Well, we don’t have any money to build the bridge?'” Manuel wondered, noting that is not an option he’s willing to entertain. “Let’s be fair though, maybe they don’t have the scope of what is going to cost yet, but there should be estimates.”

It’s been a year since all of the debris was cleared from the river and Hall said it’s ‘ludicrous’ that the province is now preparing to seek public input on a replacement structure. He believes that engagement should have happened last year.

“It’s going on two years now for a community the size of Kamloops to be without a bridge,” Hall said. “Just over 10,000 cars on a daily basis pass over that bridge and that’s putting added pressure on other roadways.”

“We need to have [this bridge] in treasury this fall so we can move forward as early as next year because treasury has to initially come up with the funds to pay for this bridge,” added Hall.

Community Rally Planned

While this is also not the first time these concerns have been raised, this month the city and Tkemlúps went so far as suggesting a community rally on Sept. 19. The plan is to mark the two-year anniversary of the fire in the hopes it gets the attention of decision makers in Victoria.

“If a rally is necessary to get this message across to the province that this bridge needs to be built and we need to expedite that building process, then I think we have to stand up and, you know, voice our concerns to the province,” Hall said.

Manuel said he envisions people rallying on both sides of the river, with some staged around Pioneer Park and others in the Mount Paul Industrial Park.

“We’re united in this common issue that we want the bridge built again,” Manuel added. “It would be really sad if takes five or six years because we’re already seeing the impacts.

“It’s hard on our businesses on this side of the river and it’s hard safety wise for traffic flow so the longer this goes, sooner or later something is going to happen.”

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops, Tkemlúps preparing to ramp up pressure on Victoria for Red Bridge replacement

No Designs Yet

Community Rally Planned

Our Community