EDITORIAL – There is only one option on what to do about the Red Bridge

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

CAN’T WAIT to walk across the brand new pedestrian and cycling bridge, where the Red Bridge used to be, to shop for tires, sprinkling equipment, horse feed and maybe a new boat.

That could be an option if the provincial government’s ridiculous new idea ever becomes a reality. The government issued a news release a couple of days ago headlined ‘Public invited to share input to transportation improvements’ with the sub-text (known in journalistic terminology as a ‘deck’) ‘Feedback gathered will help inform project options.’

At first blush, it seemed innocent enough. It was about a couple of open houses and an engagement survey.

It was, according to the news release, about exploring “the best ways to improve transportation in the Kamloops area, while reflecting the community’s needs and respecting the cultural significance of the former Red Bridge site.”

Okay. That seemed to fit with an earlier impression that the consultation phase was about transportation in general, including the Red Bridge replacement. But then came this:

“Options under consideration include:

• conceptual design for a modern replacement crossing for the bridge
• an active-transportation-only crossing
• surrounding highway network improvements”

Wait, what?

It’s the ‘active-transportation-only crossing’ that caught everyone’s attention. Since when was

a full service vehicular bridge — including a multi-use lane — simply an option? From Day One, the Eby government has promised the Red Bridge will be replaced. Not with a walking-cycling thing, but with a full bridge. The only issues have been what it will look like, and when it will be built.

The need for a new span can’t be disputed. Every measure of logic supports it. History, commerce, cultural and lifestyle connections, all point to a replacement bridge. Improve other transportation infrastructure if you like, but a new bridge must be part of it.

But suddenly, by the sound of it, a real bridge is not assured. This needs to be cleared up, and fast. Eby and his cohorts in Victoria need to immediately offer a guarantee that a total bridge replacement is guaranteed. The City, TteS and community organizations must make sure he gets the message.

The next open house on June 11 must not feature any drawings or concepts that don’t include a New Red Bridge.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, writes for the Kamloops Chronicle and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and was a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.