Fourth Street bridge closed for part of the day Thursday, Aug. 1 after a municipal services truck crashed its raised boom into the steel trusses of the bridge. While the Green Belt pedestrian bridge over the Illecillewaet River is rated to support one ambulance at a time in case of extreme emergencies, the Fourth Street bridge is currently the only vehicle access point connecting the Queen Victoria hospital, Arrow Heights neighbourhood, Revelstoke Airport and Revelstoke Mountain Resort to the rest of the city.
City crews were able to reopen the bridge to all traffic by Friday, Aug. 2, but a reduced speed limit remains in effect as damage to the bridge is assessed and plans for repairs are laid out.
Future access routes
The Fourth Street bridge closure once again ignited conversations around how the city is addressing safety concerns with the bridge, as well as progress in adding other access routes.
“This is one of the highest priorities due to the location of the hospital, the airport and the resort lands,” Steve Black, City of Revelstoke’s director of engineering told Revelstoke Mountaineer.
Emergency plans are in place, as seen from the Aug. 1 closure when BC Ambulance coordinated for any serious emergencies in and around town to be rerouted to the Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm, located 106 kilometres from Revelstoke’s Queen Victoria Hospital. An ambulance was stationed at the bridge during the closure to assist in transportation as needed, and RCMP were also on scene to help direct traffic and coordinate emergency responses.
Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services crews were stationed near the pedestrian bridge to provide possible response if needed. Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) was notified of the closure and informed guests of the event and advised them not to travel until the closure was lifted.
While these responses will help in the event of another emergency, a lengthy closure would put a strain on resources. The 2023 Transportation Master Plan notes the need for at least one more vehicle bridge crossing over the Illecillewaet River to avoid situations like the Aug. 1 closure. Community frustrations with the current dependency on the Fourth Street bridge and high levels of traffic along Fourtth Street were also noted.
A proposed location for a second pedestrian and emergency vehicle bridge would connect Powerhouse Road with Birch Drive with an estimated budget of $6.7 million. Updating the current Fourth Street bridge is also in the plan, with an estimated $11.5 million needed to lengthen and widen the bridge for easier multi-use access.
“Budgeting for a [multi-use pedestrian] structure is included in the Development Cost Charges update, which is underway,” Black said, referring to municipal charges on new developments to pay for infrastructure improvements. “If grant opportunities are available, the city will pursue these grants.”
Both are listed as major infrastructure projects, but neither would provide additional vehicle traffic access across the Illecillewaet River.
Peter Nielsen, RMR vice president and general manager of operations told Revelstoke Mountaineer the resort is in a collaborative dialogue with the city about future access points over the Illecillewaet River or other routes to the resort.
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