Kicking Horse Bridge – With heavy equipment sitting idle and visible progress paused, local residents have been asking: What’s going on with the Kicking Horse Bridge project?
Rumours have swirled—from concerns about material defects to speculation that the bridge is misaligned—but officials say the reality is far more routine.
In response to inquiries from The Golden Star, both the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and general contractor CopCan confirmed that construction delays are temporary, expected, and primarily weather-related, not structural.
According to the Ministry, the project is awaiting the delivery of several key components, including the steel arch ribs that will form the backbone of the new bridge.
A large crane had been positioned on Gould’s Island to lift these pieces into place, but spring runoff and environmental regulations forced crews to remove the side channel access required for safe lifting operations.
That access is expected to be rebuilt in mid-July, once water levels recede, at which point construction activity will ramp up again.
“Construction will resume once the water levels go down and the access is rebuilt,” said a ministry spokesperson, adding that “the Kicking Horse Bridge is being constructed in the correct location and alignment.”
The ministry also addressed community concerns about the quality of the steel components. “While the domestic steel delivered for the Kicking Horse River Bridge is safe, some minor repairs to the welding were identified,” the ministry confirmed.
“These repairs will likely be completed on site and will not require the replacement of any components.”
Officials emphasized that these types of adjustments are not uncommon and are not expected to cause additional delays. “Quality control and quality assurance are integral parts of every project the ministry undertakes,” the statement said.
“The Ministry and its contractor are addressing these minor repairs to ensure the longevity of the new structure.”
The Kicking Horse Bridge project connects the north and south sides of Golden, with a span that includes a short section on Gould’s Island. Once complete, the new bridge will replace aging infrastructure, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Despite the current lull, the project remains on schedule, according to the province.
Golden residents can expect to see renewed activity at the site by mid-summer, when construction crews return to complete the next phase of this major infrastructure upgrade.
Kicking Horse Bridge Project Key Facts:
• Project Scope: A new arch bridge connecting the north and south sides of Golden, with a span over Gould’s Island.
• Contractor: CopCan Civil Ltd.
• Status: Temporarily paused due to high spring runoff and regulatory restrictions on access.
• Reason for Delay: Crane access was removed due to high water levels; structural components (arch ribs) cannot be installed until access is rebuilt.
• Next Steps: Rebuild access and resume crane operations—expected mid-July 2025.
• Material Concerns: Minor welding repairs required on domestic steel—repairs will be made on-site. No components need to be replaced.
• Safety & Quality: All materials must meet strict provincial specifications; quality assurance is ongoing.
• Schedule: Project remains on track, despite temporary delays.
