Construction of the new 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge is now underway, an important step for this critical downtown infrastructure that will improve community gathering spaces, accessibility and connectivity.
The 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge will be a four-metre-wide, symmetrical, cable-stayed bridge that will provide a river crossing for those who travel on foot, by bike or other active transportation methods.
The bridge is being constructed by Surespan Group, a B.C.-based company specializing in bridge construction. Follow along here for updates about the work ahead.
Current updates
On September 17, 2025, there was a release of natural sediment into the Courtenay River, which was visible because of the cloudiness it caused. The release was due to an over-spill of water collected from the micropile drilling process underway. The project team is working with environmental monitors to revise dewatering plans for future work.
Mobilization (such as moving in equipment and setting up fencing and trailers) began September 2, 2025.
Work is mostly set up in the Simms Park area, with parking and a portion of the park area closed for the duration of construction. The underpass below the 5th Street Bridge remains open.
There is a small amount of space used by the contractor on the west side of the river, at the bottom of 6th Street.
Work on site will continue seven days a week. Expect activity in the area on weekends.
There are no traffic disruptions at this time.
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Blue areas mark expected closures during construction of the 6th Street Bridge.
Project benefits
Part of wider riverfront improvements
Accessible crossing
More access into downtown
Connection to bike/walking trails and routes
East-west connector
Why an active transportation bridge?
The City of Courtenay is investing in its downtown, moving forward projects and initiatives that will help to achieve a long-term vision for the city’s downtown hub. The 6th Street Bridge will build accessibility and connectivity, create access to improved riverfront spaces and support economic development.
The 6th Street Bridge will provide a key accessible connection between extensive pathways:
Offering more confidence and safety for users of all abilities.
Further encouraging alternate modes of transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by motorized vehicles.
A 6th Street multi-use bridge has been in discussion for many years, and is included in the City’s recently completed Parks & Recreation Master Plan and referenced in the Transportation Master Plan for the City of Courtenay. In addition, the Downtown Courtenay Playbook notes an additional crossing at 6th Street should be explored further.
About the 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge project
The 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge will be a four-metre-wide, symmetrical, cable-stayed bridge that will provide a river crossing for those who travel on foot, by bike or other active transportation methods.
The 6th Street Bridge will be paid for with a mix of long-term borrowing, reserves and grant funds, including:
$2.5 million from the Active Transportation Fund
$2.555 million from Growing Communities Fund
$500,000 from Canada Community Building Fund
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The 6th Street Bridge will create an accessible connection across the river using an existing road right-of way to pathways on the west side of the river (including the Courtenay Riverway and designated bike boulevard/neighbourhood bikeway on 6th Street, identified in the cycling network plan) and those on the east side of the river including in Simms Millennium Park, and to the Lewis Centre. The central location is steps away from downtown Courtenay.
Four bridge alternatives were considered in a detailed options analysis. Multiple criteria were evaluated, including considerations for constructability, environmental impact, user experience and aesthetics. The cable-stayed bridge design was selected by Courtenay Council as the preferred option because:
During construction, the staging area will have a smaller footprint by using a modular construction method which will allow for smaller equipment and bridge components, requiring fewer trees to be removed.
Cable-stayed bridges are inherently efficient structures, which translates to less materials used.
Spanning over the river eliminates need to construct any piers in the water.
The cable stayed bridge allows for flatter approach grades to improve the user experience.
It has a high aesthetic appeal and minimal available area for graffiti.
While details of construction impacts are still to be confirmed, there are some disruptions we already anticipate:
6th Street: There will be limited traffic disruptions on 6th Street between Cliffe and Anderton avenues. The City is committed to working with businesses in the area to ensure access is maintained for customers, staff, deliveries and more.
Simms Park: There will be impacts in Simms Millennium Park, with limited access to parts of the park, and closure of the parking lot during construction. There will be some tree and brush clearing, including removal an estimated 13-16 trees with diameter greater than 15 cm (majority Black Cottonwood and Red Alder) for the bridge footprint and the safety of people constructing, and then using, the bridge.
The 5th Street Bridge rehabilitation project that was originally approved by Council in 2019 included widened cantilevered pathways in its design to improve cycling and pedestrian access.
However, based on feedback from the community, including the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association and others, in 2020 Council voted to shift this effort to a dedicated active transportation bridge. Learn more about the 5th Street bridge project.
Construction of the 6th Street Bridge is planned for an area that has high environmental importance, and careful action will be taken to ensure wildlife and environment are protected. The City has completed and received all required provincial, federal and K’ómoks First Nation permits to undertake the work. The requirements set out in those permits include restrictions around work windows, protection of trees and habitat, active monitoring during periods of sensitive work and more.
While there is a single pedestrian pathway on the 5th Street Bridge, it does not offer an accessible access over the bridge. For example, the pathway is narrow and limits passing ability (ie: a wheelchair and a scooter could not fit by each other). The approaches on and off the bridge also do not meet accessibility standards. Cyclists are either asked to dismount and walk their bikes over the bridge because of the safety for them and others in the narrow walkway – or merge into traffic and proceed in line with vehicles. This is a deterrent to active transportation on the crossing given the range of skill and confidence in cycling.
Yes, there will be lights on the bridge. These lights have been specifically designed to not create a negative impact on the river environment below while also adding to safety in the area.
With the project now awarded, the cost is ‘locked in’ with the contractor. Changes in costs to materials, for example, will not be the responsibility of the City. There are other factors that protect the City from further cost escalation:
All permitting was completed before the contract was put out for award – this reduces the risk of time delays impacting cost.
There is limited excavation needed due to the design of the bridge. Aside from micro-piles that will be installed into the bedrock, there is limited ground disturbance, meaning there is less risk about ground conditions or archeological findings impacting construction progress.
The City’s project team and the contractor are routinely working through value-engineering exercises to find efficiencies in the project delivery.
