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Quick Bridge reopens – residents share their perspectives about the new bridge and process to rebuild

a man sits at a table outside with a bridge behind him.
David Gillespie, member of the Quick Station Residents Association, sits in his yard beside the Bulkley River in Quick. The new Quick Bridge is behind him. Photo by Pam Haasen.
Pamela Haasen - CICK - Smithers • BC | 19-07-2023
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On June 7th of this year, the Quick bridge opened back up for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Quick is a small community about 30 kms from Smithers along Highway 16. Quick is a village of under 100 people, and the community is divided by the mighty Bulkley River, so a crossing is needed to maintain the community connection

Back in 2021, the province announced the old bridge would be replaced after it was determined by engineers that the structure was in a state of disrepair. 

Residents of Quick, whom CICK News has interviewed during this two year process, felt that the 101 year old Wooden Howe Truss structure was abandoned and left in a state of disrepair long enough for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to put to tender a full demolition and new build.

Work to replace the bridge started in November 2021 with residents only able to access the community via Lawson Road (a 30 kilometre re-route). 

A view of a bridge with pylons at the entrance. The bridge covers the Bulkley River in the community of Quick, 30 kms west of Smithers on Highway 16.

Opened on June 7th, 2023, the Quick bridge is now open for vehicle and pedestrian use.

While the new structure has reconnected the community, the residents of Quick found that the Ministry was not forthcoming in sharing bulletins with Quick members patiently awaiting the bridge's re-opening. However, one Quick resident (and member of the Quick Station Residents Association) David Gillespie, is looking at the bright side of the new structure for the community.

"I'm happy for commuters and for the community at large. Because it's definitely a connection. I mean the broader community from Round Lake, even to the base of Hungry Hill.

It definitely makes a difference. It's a destination point for, actually for people around the globe. And that doesn't make it any more quiet and peaceful for us, but it makes it more interesting."

CICK News also spoke with Bill Leitch, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Project Manager for the Quick Bridge Superstructure, who felt that the Ministry had done their due diligence in informing the community members. "The Ministry met with and communicated with members of the Quick Station Residents Association as well we sent out mail outs with pages from the project website, where there were also updates as we went through construction."

To listen to CICK's interview with Bill Leitch and David Gillespie, listen in the link below.

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