By Barb Brouwer
Contributor
A provincial government decision to delay its Bruhn Bridge replacement project for another year did not sit well with Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors.
In a Dec. 4 letter to Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Rob Fleming, CSRD board chair Kevin Flynn expressed the board’s concerns.
While acknowledging the scope and impact of the project which includes significant technical, environmental and archaeological considerations, Flynn “implored” the province to consider the impact on local residents and visitors particularly in terms of safety and traffic flow.
“The delay of the project poses a serious hazard to all users of the Trans-Canada Highway, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who travel that corridor,” wrote Flynn, pointing out the project aims to enhance safety and traffic flow over the bridge which is narrow and accommodates high volumes of traffic.
“Extended closures of the Trans-Canada Highway due to severe accidents and substandard, inadequate repairs of the bridge have become commonplace. Directors often worry about learning of another incident involving the bridge that could result in residents or other travellers suffering injury or loss of life.”
Flynn concluded by advising Minister Fleming that the CSRD board is troubled by the lack of progress and prolonged setbacks of the bridge that was approved for redevelopment in 2018.
“The bridge is part of a transcontinental travel system, providing a major connection through all ten provinces of Canada and is recognized as one of the longest routes of its type in the world,” he wrote.
At the Dec. 11 City of Salmon Arm council meeting, Mayor Alan Harrison committed to writing a letter to the province echoing the CSRD’s concerns.
Read more: Province responds to concerns with prolonged Highway 1 bridge replacement in Sicamous
Read more: Province urged to prioritize Highway 1 bridge replacement at Sicamous