Merritt Celebrates the Middlesboro Bridge Grand Reopening

The 2021 floods marked the most expensive natural disaster in B.C.'s history, forcing the evacuation of the entire Merritt community and severing a critical transportation link with the collapse of the Middlesboro Bridge. The restored, newly opened bridge is the final milestone in Merritt’s recovery journey.

The Middlesboro Bridge connects downtown Merritt to the Colletville neighbourhood along Voght Street. According to Sean Strang, Director of Flood Recovery and Mitigation for the City of Merritt, the former bridge failed because it lacked support pilings drilled into the earth. During the 2021 atmospheric river, the Coldwater River's floodwaters undermined the structure, leading to its partial collapse.

The province provided more than $10 million to the City of Merritt to help facilitate the bridge’s reconstruction.

Rebuilding and Improvements

The new bridge is built to modern, resilient standards, addressing vulnerabilities of the previous structure while enhancing safety and capacity for both vehicles and active transportation. Elevated 1.5 metres higher than the former structure, the bridge is designed to withstand a one-in-200-year flood event, manage 500 cubic metres of water per second (compared to the former bridge's 130 cubic metres), and accommodate two vehicle lanes alongside a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lane.

“We know that climate change will continue to accelerate and river flooding will likely become more frequent as a result,” said Bowinn Ma, B.C.'s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, in a government news release. “That’s why it’s imperative that we act now to shore up important infrastructure and reduce the risk of future disasters like the one endured by the people of Merritt.”

Key upgrades included roadway paving, embankment stabilization, strategic riprap placement, and the installation of a comprehensive drainage system. The project also features a multi-use pathway for safe pedestrian access and includes demolishing the outdated central pier and abutments. To ensure durability, the bridge's pilings extend 80 feet into the ground to protect against future environmental challenges.

The Grand Reopening

Approximately 150 community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the new bridge at a memorable event featuring speeches, a procession of emergency vehicles, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Elder Cathy Jameson from Coldwater, Paul Joe from Shackan, and Charlene Joe from Lower Nicola—the City of Merritt's Indigenous

Engagement Manager—added special meaning to the event through the sharing of words, traditional songs, drumming, and prayers.

To learn more, visit our Middlesboro Project page.