Both the Thatcher Creek (pictured) and Nanaimo River bridges of the Morden Colliery Regional Trail require replacement and will be rebuilt in 2028 after approval by the RDN board this week. (Image Credit: ISL Engineering)

By Alex Rawnsley

crossing over

‘A lasting legacy:’ $5.2 million bridge replacement project slated for Nanaimo-area trail

Jan 16, 2026 | 2:32 PM

NANAIMO — Accessibility, usability, and replacement of aging structures are behind a pair of new bridge builds in Cedar.

The Regional District of Nanaimo Board gave approval to an estimated $5.2 million project for the replacement and creation of two bridges crossing Thatcher Creek and the Nanaimo River, along the Morden Colliery Regional Trail.

Thatcher Creek’s span will require two 24-meter-long bridges to connect a middle island to each shoreline, however RDN superintendent of parks planning Amy Gore told board members the Nanaimo River crossing is considerably larger.

“One bridge would connect the portion of the existing regional trail to a central island within the Nanaimo River, and the second bridge would connect the island to the undeveloped section to the regional trail on the east side of the river. Through the initial design process, it was determined that an 86 metre span is necessary for both the east and west channels.”

Connecting the South Wellington and Cedar neighbourhoods for pedestrians is an active transportation goal for the RDN, set out late last year.

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Existing infrastructure in the area is not accessible “due to their narrow width, presence of steps and steep approaches,” according to Gore, with a 2021 survey showing the structures needed to be replaced within five years.

Estimated cost for the Thatcher Creek bridge replacement is $660,847, while the Nanaimo River crossing would be $3.97 million.

A further $500,000 is budgeted for trail upgrades on the bridge approaches, while a 20 per cent contingency and design costs are also accounted for.

The RDN expects to borrow $3 million for the project, with $1.9 million coming from existing reserve funds and a further $330,000 from Community Works funding and taxation revenue.

Community donations or fundraising efforts may also contribute to the cost.

Area E (Nanoose Bay) director Bob Rogers was in support for the project but raised some concerns.

“I think that we should be cognizant of the fact that this is turning into a fairly expensive project, but it is going to be something that is phased in a couple of years because construction is not until 2028. It’s going to be something that is going to have a lasting legacy for this Regional District.”

A cheaper option was available for the Nanaimo River crossing but would sacrifice usability by reducing the width from 2.4 metres to 1.8 metres.

Area A (Cedar, South Wellington, Yellowpoint, Cassidy) director Jessica Stanley said the trail is highly used by all user groups, including horseback riders.

“Another big user group would be school children riding to school back and forth, and so we are having a situation where it’s not just horses passing each other, but it’s children on bikes passing people on horses, or bikes passing in both directions, or people walking. I just think it’s a lot safer if we have the 2.4 (metre), the wider option.”

The project will proceed in phases, with construction slated for 2028.

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