The BC government has announced that the active transportation bridge which connects Shawnigan Lake and Lake Cowichan will be replaced.
The Holt Creek Bridge is located along the Cowichan Valley Trail/The Great Trail of Canada, a popular active transportation corridor and recreation tourism attraction of the region for cyclists especially.
Specifically, the bridge is between Duncan and Lake Cowichan just west of the Glenora Trails Head Park.
According to the Province, in 2018, the Cowichan Valley Regional District reported 25,959 visits.
The bridge that currently spans Holt Creek was built in 1922 and was used as a rail line until 1991 when CN Rail handed the line over to the Province.
(More below)
However, in 2017, a structural assessment determined the bridge was nearing the end of its lifespan and the Province began preparing for an eventual replacement which is to be built in the coming months.
The current timber bridge is located 34 metres above Holt Creek and stretches 73 metres, from start to finish.
The proposed structure will:
- Feature a new steel frame structure with a timber deck
- Have steel girders supported on concrete footings on either side of the creek
- Span approximately 74 metres
(More below)
The bridge is designed to be functional, durable, and attractive while also being easy to maintain.
Work on the demolition of the current bridge is set to begin on Monday, August 26th. The Province projects that this portion of the project will be completed by mid-September.
Beginning Tuesday, September 3rd, the bridge will be closed with no detour available. During this time, the entirety of this portion of the trail will be closed.
According to the Province, the second phase of construction will begin in fall 2024 and will also require a full closure of the same trail segment.
