Province announces Red Bridge will be replaced with zip line

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit announced Tuesday that the Red Bridge will be replaced with a $4.2-million zip line, ending an 18-month wait for a fix to the broken link between downtown Kamloops and Mount Paul Industrial Park.

"The zip line gets commuters across in under 90 seconds," said a ministry spokesperson. "We think that's pretty good value for British Columbians."

The 340-metre cable will sit 22 metres above the South Thompson and fit up to four riders at a time. A separate freight attachment for small parcels is included. A return gondola is planned for 2034, subject to a feasibility study.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson called the announcement "completely unacceptable" before his staff reminded him he had been asking the province to do literally anything for 18 months. He then called it "a step in the right direction" and asked about a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Council has requested a public consultation process expected to run 14 months. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2031.