Voght Street Bridge lost, no timeline for return to Merritt

The devastating flood in Merritt has completely wiped out the Middlesborough Bridge. The bridge located at the southern end of Voght Street may have also damaged the bridges further down stream.

“If anyone remains in Collettville they absolutely have to stay in place, they can’t cross any bridge. The Middlesborough has collapsed, and as a result of that we can’t be confident about the structural integrity of any of the bridges in the city,” said EOC Communications Manager Greg Lowis.

Due to the uncertainty around the bridges leading to Collettville, anybody still in their homes, is now stuck with no safe way across the Coldwater River.

As for when Merritt residents may be able to return home, Lowis tells Q101 no firm timetable has been created.

“The evacuation hasn’t been completed yet (as of 7pm Monday),” said Lowis. “The RCMP have knocked on every door in the city. I’m afraid I don’t have any information on a timeline. We’re hoping that the waters may have crested, they don’t appear to be getting worse at this time. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to go back to normal, they need to recede, and then we can access the damage.”

The Merritt RCMP are remaining in town to help protect the community from any crimes of opportunity during the evacuation.

“The RCMP will be conducting roving patrols to keep the city safe. To help keep and eye on everything and prevent any crimes of opportunity,” said Lowis. “However, the more time the RCMP needs to spend speaking with residents, who have already been warned about the evacuation, the less time they have to protect the community.”