Red Bridge Emergency Recovery
Client: Argo Road Maintenance
Owner: Ministry of Transportation and Transit
Location: Kamloops, BC
Date: September 2024 – April 2025
Details: CEC, in collaboration with Argo Road Maintenance on behalf of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and in close coordination with the T’Kemlups Indian Band, the City of Kamloops, the Ministry of Environment, CN Rail, and emergency services, led a multidisciplinary team to safely remove the remaining bridge approaches and damaged bridge structure from the South Thompson River. The project prioritized environmental protection and engineering precision to safeguard the river’s sensitive ecosystem. Key activities included the demolition of approximately 440 meters of approach trestle, comprising 37 bents and around 220 wooden piles, some located over an active CN Rail line, while minimizing public and park disruption. Environmental safeguards such as log booms and sorbent booms were installed across the river, and a 250-foot sheet pile shoring wall was constructed to support a crane pad and a lined containment area. Barges equipped with heavy machinery were used to collect and dispose of river debris, and underwater divers conducted scanning, identification, and rigging of submerged bridge components. The team removed all in-stream bridge sections, including wooden and steel piles and caps, using a 275-ton crawler crane. Additionally, 3,000 tons of aggregate materials were excavated and placed, and large debris was extracted from the riverbed. The site was fully remediated, including the use of an underwater electromagnet to remove small metal debris, and the park and beach areas were restored to their original, safe condition. All demolition materials were disposed of responsibly.
