The Province is taking the initial steps forward to replace the Red Bridge, putting out what’s known as a Request for Qualifications.

The RFQ is being put out to help establish an initial plan for the reconstruction effort.

Different from a Request for Proposals, the RFQ process is meant to find candidates not currently on the government’s regular list of contractors.

“What we’re trying to achieve with this planning study, is we’re asking firms to tell us and show us their experience and ability to deliver on that type of work,” said Steve Sirett, Executive Director for the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in the Southern Interior.  “The Request for Qualifications allows us to establish at least a group of companies that might be capable.   That leads to another phase of us actually asking for proposals and selecting a proponent that will deliver the planning study for us.”

Companies hoping to qualify have been given two months to submit their applications.

“We would like to have a consultant on board, you know, late this winter,” Sirett told Radio NL.

He suggests the reconstruction of the Red Bridge, which is a historical link between Tk’emlups and Kamloops, is going to require a ‘softer’ hand than would normally be required in the process of rebuilding a bridge.

“As far as the process and the actual planning goes…there’s the planning, but there’s also there’s also a significant amount of geotechnical and archeological work that we need to do to help support the options,” said Sirett.  “Us working together, collaboratively with communities to find long-term transportation solutions that support both the provincial government – but also the economic growth and community growth [of a community] – is something we do quite frequently.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry is cautioning that a replacement for the Red Bridge is not going to be a quick process, noting work to tear down what’s left of the original span is still going to take a number of months to complete.

“Cleanup of the damaged structure will continue through the winter, with environmental experts ensuring the work is done safely and responsibly,” noted the Ministry in its Thursday news release.

No timelines are being offered for when a replacement could open for Kamloops commuters.

In the interim, the Province suggests it is aware of the traffic issues which have developed since the destruction of the Bridge in September.

“The [Ministry’s] Thompson-Nicola District has been responding to increased congestion on Highway 5 North since the fire and is continuing to make improvements to traffic flow,” it said on its newly-established home page for the Red Bridge rebuild.

In the weeks following the fire which collapsed the iconic, wood-trestle bridge, the then-Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure set up a series of barriers along the 5A to limit traffic flows into downtown Kamloops.

“The Ministry recognizes the removal of the left turn onto River Street may cause inconvenience to some members of the public, who may have to choose an alternative route, but studies have indicated that this is not a safe turning movement across two southbound lanes at at 90 km/h,” MoTI told Radio NL at the time.  “The unfortunate loss of the Red Bridge has caused increased use of this turning movement, adding to the problem and necessitating the urgency of implementing the median barrier.”

The City of Kamloops has also made traffic flow adjustments to try to accommodate the loss of the Red Bridge.

The Red Bridge was destroyed by a massive fire on September 19th.

Coming just two days after another significant fire was put out underneath the bridge, it only took a short while for Kamloops RCMP to declare that arson as the likely cause.

So far no suspects have been publicly identified, nor have RCMP provided a possible motive for the destruction of the nearly 90 year old wooden span.

Bridge design expected to spark debate

As the work by the province gets underway to try to find the right people needed to rebuild the connection, discussions about how to rebuild have already gotten started.

The Red Bridge was not well loved among the 7,000 to 8,000 drivers who would cross it on a daily basis.

Driving lanes both north and south were just 2.7 metres wide — compared to today’s modern standard of 3.5 metres — offering a “white knuckle” experience for drivers passing on-coming vehicles.

It’s age and design also meant weight restrictions, limiting access to commercial vehicles hoping to make a more direct route too and from the Mt. Paul Industrial Park, meaning a longer trip across the Halston Bridge.

Made of wood, and built before modern engineering standards for today’s level of vehicle traffic, the Red Bridge was notorious for developing pot holes on its asphalt deck.

The addition of asphalt was just one of many changes the Red Bridge would go through over the years.

The first crossing over the Thompson River was set up in 1887, known then as the Government Bridge.

As Kamloops became a more established community, the crossing was rebuilt in 1912.

That version of the bridge had its own issues with fires during the 1930’s, which eventually led to a brand new bridge being completed in 1936 next to the original span.

It was that bridge which would ultimately be destroyed on that early Thursday morning this past September.

Despite its shortcomings, the Red Bridge has become part of the cultural lexicon in Kamloops, while also providing a different perspective on either end of it.

“This bridge had a lot of historical significance to our people. There was a time when our people needed written permission to leave the reserve, and the Red Bridge was the connection our ancestors used to cross with written permission from an Indian Agent,” wrote Tk’elmlups Councillor Nikki Fraser on October 7th, 2024 in an update on the environmental impacts.  “[Our] community was hurt and shocked by the news, there were a lot of heavy feelings, our Knowledge keepers, elders, and TteS Language & Cultural Department held ceremony for the Red Bridge to help those hurt and sadden by the loss.”

“This bridge was an icon in the memory of anyone who has lived in or visited Kamloops, and a symbol of the long history between the City of Kamloops and our neighbours at Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc,” said Councillor Stephen Karpuk, who was the Deputy Mayor of Kamloops at the time.

In announcing its plans for the RFQ, the BC government says it’s aware of the cultural and economic connections the Red Bridge provided.

“The Province is working with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops to ensure plans reflect the community’s needs while honouring the cultural significance of the site,” said the province in announcing its FRQ.

“The Red Bridge was an important part of Kamloops’ transportation needs,” added Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit in its release.  “By working closely with the community, we will develop a plan that reflects their priorities and provides safer, more sustainable connections for everyone.”