RED BRIDGE – Cleanup of debris from South Thompson has been completed

Posted on March 12, 2025 in 'Loops, City, Fire, Page One // 1 Comment

(Image: Mel Rothenburger file photo)

Removal of Red Bridge debris from the South Thompson River has been completed.

The bridge burned and collapsed on Sept. 19, 2024. Since the fire, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit has worked with Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc and the City on site cleanup and long-term transportation planning.

Cleanup efforts have been ongoing since September and, by late February, divers had conducted a final sweep of the river to check for remaining debris, the provincial government said today (March 12, 2025) in a news release.

A remote-operated vehicle and GPS were used to film the riverbed and track cleanup progress.

River cleanup finished at the beginning of March, onshore work on the north and south sides has concluded, and a beach cleanup and Pioneer Park restoration was completed.

“The ministry’s next step is to begin the planning work to help shape a long-term solution that improves regional transportation, enhances safety and better connects the local community,” said the release.

A request for proposals will be issued shortly for a consultant planning-and-design team to lead this work. The planning phase is expected to get underway this spring.

However, the province has still not committed to replacing the bridge. No suspects have been identified in connection to the arson of the bridge.