TNRD – Heffley Creek bridge to cost City of Kamloops additional $250,000

Delays and cost increases on the Heffley Creek bridge are being blamed by the City on archeological studies.

The bridge is a replacement for the culvert that washed out on old Highway 5 between the Heffley Creek store and the community hall in May 2017 during the spring freshet and is months behind schedule.

It’s expected to be officially opened on Thursday, Aug. 16, ending a lengthy detour to connect from one side to the other. The bridge is located within City boundaries next to TNRD Electoral Area P.

A report to Kamloops City council today (Aug. 14, 2018) says the original budget of $2.2 million for the new bridge didn’t include costs for archaeological work, and another $250,000 has been spent on consulting fees, field work, permitting and construction costs.

Nine archaeological finds have been made on the site.

“In addition to the additional costs, the archaeological work has caused delays in the project schedule,” the report says.

“However, without support from Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Skeetchesin, and Neskonlith First Nations throughout the project, the delays would have been more extensive due to strict requirements of the legislation.”

The additional funding will come from the City’s capital reserves.

— Mel Rothenburger, Director, Electoral Area P, TNRD