Bridge crash cut off hospital access in Revelstoke, B.C.: mayor - Action News
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British Columbia

Bridge crash cut off hospital access in Revelstoke, B.C.: mayor

A city-owned truck damaged a bridge in Revelstoke on Thursday, shutting down traffic and cutting off access to its only hospital. The city's mayor is calling for another bridge to be built in the mountain resort community.

Only way to get to hospital and Revelstoke Mountain Resort was shut down Thursday

A white man wearing a checked shirt poses for a picture.
Gary Sulz is the mayor of Revelstoke, B.C. He's calling for more routes leading to the Queen Victoria Hospital in the resort town after a crash shut down a bridge on Thursday. (Bryan Labby/CBC)

A recent crash in Revelstoke, B.C., has led officials to ask for more routes leading to the only hospital in the Kootenay community.

On Aug. 1,a city-owned truck damaged a bridge leading to the Queen Victoria Hospital at around 11:50 a.m. PT, shutting down traffic for two hours in the municipality about 155 kilometres northeast of Kelowna.

The crash also left residents on either side of the bridge stranded, with those living in the residential area on the south side of the bridge unable to get through to the rest of town.

The Fourth Street bridgecrosses the IllecillewaetRiver, and also provides access to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Its closure has highlighted the need for another access route for the community, says Revelstoke's mayor.


Gary Sulz confirmed that a city-owned vacuum truck hit the cross beams on the bridge, damaging both the bridge and the truck.

Two city employees suffered minor injuries in the crash, according to the mayor. Sulz says other city staff and engineers were quickly on site to assess and clean up the damage.

Francesca Williamswith the City of Revelstokesaysthe bridge was reopened at 1:45 p.m.with a weight restriction. Later in the day, the weight restriction was removed and a speed limit of 15 km/hwas added.

"By 6 p.m., [the bridge] was opened and people could cross as they did normally," Sulzsaid.

Crews repair a bridge on a sunny day, with one of them using a truck lift to access the cross beams.
City of Revelstoke staff are pictured making repairs to the bridge on Fourth Street on Thursday, August 1, after a City truck hit the cross beams, shutting down traffic and closing off access to the hospital. (City of Revelstoke)

He adds that in an emergency, there is a pedestrian bridge that could be used.

"My understanding is it's just wide enough to get an ambulance across," Sulz told CBC News.

On Thursday, that option wasn't needed.

Interior Health said in an emailed statement to CBC News that no impacts to patients, staff or care have been identified because of the bridge closure.

"Throughout this incident, Interior Health worked closely with the City of Revelstoke ... and other relevant stakeholders to ensure continuous communication and minimize any impact on patient care and hospital operations," Angela Szabo, director of clinical operations for Interior Health, said in the statement.

B.C. Emergency Health Services echoed that statement, saying that its operations were not impacted by the crash and it is not aware of any patient impacts.

One way in, one way out

Sulz says because the Fourth Street bridge is acommunity-owned road, there are little options for provincial funding and support to add another access route to the hospital.

"We're looking at, and have been looking at for a while, a potential second crossing, and where we put that, how we put that, and how we fund that is really the key," he said.

The mayor says there are currently three bridges in the community one on Highway 1, one on Big Eddy Road and another on Fourth Street.

"We've asked the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure who owns these bridges? What are our responsibilities?" Sulz said."And they tell us that for the two bridges, Big Eddyand Illecillewaet, those are our responsibility."

A person walks by a large sign that reads 'Revelstoke.'
The mayor of Revelstoke, B.C., says that a new bridge would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. (Winston Szeto/CBC)

He adds that a new bridge could end up costing taxpayers anywhere from $17 million to $35 million.

"The residents have heard us talk about it before, and they want to see it, but we can't put all of this on taxpayers," said Sulz, who is calling for provincial assistance.

Interior Health said it supports ongoing discussions about a second crossing.

"We remain committed to working collaboratively with the City of Revelstoke," Szabo said.

A sign reads 'Interior Health Queen Victoria Hospital Mt. Cartier Court'.
The Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke, B.C., is pictured in this undated photo. (Interior Health)

Sulz pointed out that the current bridge is old, and is also in need of replacement.

But he says there are no concrete plans to replace the current bridge or add a second crossing, with the city already undertaking a costly $15 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

"Because of what's happened, this will be elevated, at least to some degree, where we'll be having more wholesome discussions about how we move forward, and when we can move forward," he said.

In an email to CBC News on Tuesday, B.C.'sMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed it is responsible for provincial infrastructureand assists the Cityof Revelstoke with maintenance of the municipal Fourth Street bridge. It said it has no plansfor an additional crossing in the city.

Clarifications

  • This story has been updated to clarify the timeline of the bridge reopening with restrictions.
    Aug 07, 2024 10:01 AM PT