Construction is getting underway on a major project in Blue River meant to help bolster the upper North Thompson community’s tourism sector.

The TNRD has approved a portion of the funding for a suspension bridge to be built over the Blue River itself, linking the community on the south side of the waterway with the north side, where hiking and cross-country ski trails are located.

TNRD Area “B” director Steven Quinn says the bridge is expected to be finished by the end of October, and says it comes after a number of delays dating back to 2017 when the bridge was first approved.

“We’d located some money for it, and it went out to contract. Regrettably the contractor got hurt, and was unable to continue. And then, good ol’ COVID came along, and that put a grinding halt to pretty much everything.”

The construction of the suspension bridge has sat partially completed since 2020.

Now, with the addition of money coming from the TNRD’s Canada Community-Building Fund, the total cost to finish the project will be 157,000 dollars.

Of that, $60,000 will come from the TNRD’s fund and $61,500 will come from Trans Mountain Community Benefit funds.

Most of the remaining money needed — $30,000 — will be provided by the Mike Wiegele Heli-ski Resort.

About $5,600 will come from Area “B” taxpayers.

“This trail system eventually will provide for people who want [a back country experience in the winter], and during the summer as well,” said Quinn. “This is part of an overall master-plan that we’ve been working on, and hopefully will continue years into the future.”