Newly rebuilt bridge over Holt Creek to open on Cowichan Valley Trail this weekend

Good news, for outdoor enthusiasts in the Cowichan Valley! 

This Saturday, June 21st, a rebuilt bridge at Holt Creek on the Cowichan Valley Trail is set to reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.

This reopening will restore access to a key part of the trail. 

The newly rebuilt bridge features a steel frame and wooden deck, which is designed to support emergency vehicles, maintenance equipment and improving safety for long-term use.

The former bridge that spanned the creek was called the Holt Creek Bridge, but in the spirit of reconciliation, the new bridge will be known as the Q’ixluts Bridge (pronounced KH-ee-r-hluhts). 

Q’ixluts is the traditional Hul’qumi’num name for Holt Creek, and was chosen in collaboration with the Cowichan Tribes to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the area and to honour Indigenous language and heritage along the trail.

According to the Province, Q’ixluts means “the colour of the creek bed, black” in Hul’q’umi’num. This term is in reference to the black shale that lines the bottom of the creek.

(More below)

As far as the new bridge’s significance to accessibility goes, it will enhance the region’s active-transportation network, which will encourage healthy, low-carbon ways to move around the area.

The Province says that the Cowichan Tribes have provided knowledge sharing, as well as environmental and archeological monitoring through the process of rebuilding the bridge.