EDITORIAL – There is only one option on what to do about the Red Bridge
Smoking ruins of Red Bridge after fire in September, 2024. (Image: Mel Rothenburger)
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.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
This government is flat broke, and having trouble keeping the lights turned on. They have zero interest in building a new bridge, particularly in a BC Conservative riding.
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Is the replacement of the Red Bridge essential? No.
Is it nice to have? Yes
Is it convenient? Yes
I would much rather see the limited money invested in redesigning and building a new road at the intersection at Vicars and Number 1 Highway.This is a critical piece of infrastructure the Red Bridge not so much.
Cooper
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Being that the Sandman Centre and Sandman Hotel are on Lorne Street, there is a need for access to them by large fire trucks.
Fast forward to the coal trains now crossing Lorne Street and blocking vehicular traffic for a period of time. IF a CP freight train is using the CP main line and has both 2nd and 3rd Avenues blocked at the same time period, the only access to Lorne Street is via the 1st Ave. underpass.
If folks can live with that scenario, then forget about a building a large enough bridge where the Red Bridge used to be.
Look into the history of the pedestrian bridge at 3rd. The City came close to losing 2nd and 3rd Ave. level crossings. A few years ago, I ran that one by our present CAO. The reaction was similar to having a deer in the headlights of a car. Sometimes, admin has to have a situation explained using simple words and simple terms. It’s not like a quarterback sneak or a lateral pass. Even then, someone finds a way to make the plans way too complicated.
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I attended a Kamloops city council meeting a few years ago at which the BC Ministry of Transportation gave a presentation to council regarding Ministry plans for roads around Kamloops.
At that time, the Ministry spokesperson said that a plan to make the Red Bridge pedestrian and cycle only was in the works. None of the councillors objected to this.
It will greatly surprise me if the Ministry rebuilds the bridge for vehicle traffic, but one can hope, I guess.
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A couple of decades ago, the Ministry’s plan was to extend 6th Avenue across Lorne Street and build a new bridge from there. As part of that plan, the Red Bridge would become pedestrian only, but the entire 6th Avenue extension plan was later scrapped.
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We’ll see, I guess. I have a feeling that the current consultation is just smoke and mirrors, and gov’t has already made up its mind. The council meeting I attended was during this council term–pretty recent. And since then, the gov’t has gone into considerable debt as well.
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a new bridge should emphasize walking/cycling and smaller vehicles. Certainly it should not be built to allow for large trucks.
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A new, wide bridge capable of handling a lot of traffic including trucks would be a wonderful thing, especially if the Province pays for it. However it will dump increased amounts of traffic onto a woefully inadequate Lorne St. Who will pay for that upgrade? City taxpayers? Be careful what you wish for.
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