Key pedestrian bridge at Chilliwack nature reserve to reopen

CHILLIWACK — A key pedestrian bridge connecting trails and other interesting lookout points at a Chilliwack nature reserve is slated to reopen today.

Earlier this year, the Great Blue Heron Reserve notified the public about failing infrastructure underneath the Centre Trail Bridge. Due to safety concerns, GBHR closed the bridge so that it could be fully assessed and deemed safe for pedestrians to walk across. The only way people could access southern portions of the nature reserve was from the Rotary Vedder Trail, and not from the parking lot of the reserve at 5200 Sumas Prairie Road.

But just last week, the reserve notified people in a social media post that the bridge will reopen today, Tuesday, August 19.

“The Salwein Loop will be closed starting the morning of Monday, August 18 for a fish salvage, culvert replacement, and spawning channel refresh throughout the week. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, August 22nd,” Great Blue Heron Reserve wrote on Facebook. In the meantime, the Centre Trail Bridge will be repaired and open to pedestrians on Tuesday, August 19th! Thank you for your patience while we work to improve and protect our trails and waterways!”

Additional assessments will need to occur to figure out what needs to happen to make the bridge safe for vehicles to cross, but getting the pedestrian bridge reopened for visitors comes after it was closed for several months.