Fight to Save Baxter Bridge Fades as Demolition Begins

ENDERBY, B.C. — The fight to preserve the beloved Baxter Bridge appears all but lost, as demolition of the historic structure is now underway. Despite months of local outcry and grassroots advocacy, the community’s efforts were ultimately not enough to change the course set by the Ministry of Transportation.

The single-lane wooden bridge, built in 1950, has served generations of rural residents along Trinity Valley Road, east of Enderby.

The single-lane wooden bridge, built in 1950, has served generations of rural residents along Trinity Valley Road, east of Enderby. Known for its unique design and role as a community landmark, the bridge was more than just a river crossing — it was a gathering place, a scenic route for walking and cycling, and a favourite backdrop for weddings, graduations, and even film crews. Over the years, it appeared in movies like Tomorrowland and Blackway.

But now, as the new two-lane concrete and steel bridge just upstream carries traffic across the Shuswap River, crews have begun dismantling the original. And many locals say they were left out of the decision.

“At the very least, they should have responded to inquiries,” read one comment from the Save the Baxter Bridge Facebook group, which grew to over 800 members. “They never came during the warm months to see how many people walk here. This was a hub of the community.”

Community Push Fell Short

The Ministry of Transportation maintained throughout the project that the bridge had reached the end of its service life. Structural inspections in recent years revealed deterioration, and while the bridge underwent repairs in 2021, officials insisted it could not safely remain in place — even for pedestrian use.

Local residents pushed back, suggesting the bridge be blocked to vehicle traffic but left intact for walking, cycling, and community use. They voiced safety concerns with the new bridge, which lacks sidewalks and instead features widened shoulders — a solution many fear won’t be enough, especially during icy winters.

Calls to preserve the bridge for environmental reasons also gained traction. Some believed it served as a potential wildlife corridor and noted its proximity to salmon spawning sites. But no formal environmental study or heritage designation was granted, and the bridge was never added to the provincial heritage registry.

“This bridge was doing no harm,” one resident wrote. “Block it off, make it a walking bridge. It’s an icon.”

Silence from Officials

Despite outreach, residents report they received no responses from the Regional District of North Okanagan or provincial transportation officials. Whether any meetings ever occurred between residents and the Ministry remains unclear.

In a brief public response issued to a local newspaper, the Ministry defended the demolition, citing cost, safety, and liability. “Leaving the old bridge in place would be unsafe,” a spokesperson told the Vernon Morning Star. “Maintenance costs to ensure the bridge is safe would be prohibitive.”

That response did little to ease concerns. Many in the community expressed frustration that decisions were made without local input and said the demolition feels rushed to avoid further opposition.

“They’re tearing it down so fast,” one commenter wrote. “It’s sickening.”

A Bridge Remembered

With traffic now flowing over the new bridge, the sounds of saws and machinery signal the end for Baxter Bridge. The memories, however, remain.

On social media, residents continue to post photos and stories — of children fishing from its edge, of wedding parties in vintage cars, of walking the span on quiet evenings.

While the bridge may soon be physically gone, for many in this part of the North Okanagan, it will always be part of the landscape they call home.