Middlesboro Bridge reconstruction a massive step in Merritt flood recovery

MERRITT —A major announcement was made regarding the Middlesboro Bridge along Voght street that was damaged by the flood two years ago.

Alongside Emil Anderson Construction, Mayor Mike Goetz confirmed that work will start on a new and improved bridge that can handle environmental adversity.

The construction will commence in the summer of 2024, the project is estimated to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025. Dikes will also be rebuilt to help return the river to it’s former functionality.

Mayor Mike Goetz says “I’ve said this is a five to seven year project, and that’s exactly what it’s going to be.”

The funding and approval phase is nearly ready to move on the construction phase, and if everything goes exactly as planned, the project will be completed on schedule.

The prior bridge was not built to withstand the floods.

This time Merrittonians were promised a modern design that can withstand any future atmospheric river changes. The new bridge will also have two lane traffic.

Members of Lower Nicola Indian Band were also there to make sure their communities were considered in the changes to the river and bridge. This includes the diking work and the affect it has on the environment.

The river must be completed in an appropriate fashion, as any changes in the river can change the flow and speed of water down the line in other communities.

This will have a negative effect on local Indigenous bands that were very vocal about what was lost and damaged two years ago.

It was also mentioned that the Salmon that used to fill the river are basically now gone.

Mayor Goetz confirmed that he is working with the TNRD to make a plan to replenish the ecosystem that has been ravaged by the 2021 flood.

Mayor Goetz says “I am working with the TNRD to make a plan because after the flood and all the debris that rushed through, any salmon eggs left will basically die off. We need to find a plan to repopulate the river.”

LNIB Ceremony | Zach Amin Photography

The Middlesboro bridge was not the only one in town affected by the floods. The Main Street and Houston Street bridges were mostly undamaged but still the river banks and the bridge footings needed reinforcement. Work on those bridges occurred during summer of 2023.

$12.2 million in Disaster Financial Assistance funding from the Province has already been approved for the City of Merritt since the floods of 2021,

Merritt was also approved for about $3.2 million from the Province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for future projects that will help handle another possible flood.

the November 2021 flood was reported as the most expensive natural disaster in B.C.’s history.

LNIB Members address reconstruction plans | Zach Amin Photography