SOUTH SURREY — The rail bridge over Little Campbell River in South Surrey was successfully replaced Thursday (Nov. 20) afternoon.
According to Gus Melonas, spokesperson for rail operator Burlington Northern Sante Fe, a crew of 35 began construction at 8 a.m. Thursday morning and completed the new bridge at around 3 p.m.
The project, estimated to cost $2 million, was initially thought to require access to the site via Semihamoo First Nation land, but those plans were scrapped in favour of replacing the trestle directly from the rail line.
“We’re going to bring in a crane on the rail and flat cars and will lift off the old bridge and replace it,†Melonas told the Now in an earlier interview.
Semiahmoo First Nation councillor Joanne Charles voiced concerns about derailment of dangerous goods before the bridge was re-built, saying that the bridge was on Semiahmoo First Nations land.
“We believe that it’s band land and unfortunately Transport Canada, in their wisdom, has chosen to allow the permits required to do the train bridge replacement without dealing with our issues and concerns,†she said. “So when somebody is replacing something on what you believe to be your property you’d be upset about that too.â€
Melonas said the trains would resume normal traffic as of 11 p.m. Thursday night.