The 3rd Avenue pedestrian bridge in downtown Kamloops will be closed for eight weeks of maintenance, starting on Tuesday.

The city’s Capital Projects Manager, Darren Crundwell, says Unitech Construction Management will be doing concrete repairs and sealing on the bridge as well as making improvements to the handrails. The plexiglass panels at the top will of the bridge will also be replaced.

When all of that is done, the bridge will get a fresh coat of paint.

“The pedestrian bridge has not been updated in over 20 years, and the new colour scheme will be a welcome sight in downtown,” Crundwell said. “We actually this work on the books for last year but once COVID started, we took a few projects off the books.”

Work should be completed by mid-July, with crews working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The bridge will be completely closed during that time.

“You’re not going to notice it other that when we’re painting. There will be lifts around and contractors accessing the structure,” Crundwell added. “Obviously, vehicle access on 3rd Avenue will still be maintained with intermittent closures as needed.”

“We’re expecting it to take about eight weeks just given the amount of work up there and working over the railway tracks and all of those details associated with that.”

While work is underway, pedestrians are being told to use 2nd Avenue or 1st Avenue if they want to cross the railway tracks downtown. People hoping to get to the Sandman Hotel, Moxie’s Grill & Bar, or Shark Club are being told to use 2nd Avenue.

Crundwell also notes as part of this project, the Sandman Centre will also be getting a fresh coat of paint.

“Its the original paint job there and you can see some of the paint failing, so its a good time to get that work done,” he added. “I’m sure the public will be happy with both projects once we’re done.”

(Photo via City of Kamloops)