$1.2M fix for Todd Creek Trestle
The Todd Creek Trestle in Sooke, now closed because of safety concerns, will be getting a $1.2-million repair job.
The Capital Regional District plans to seek bids in June for repairs to the 101-year-old wooden trestle bridge. It’s hoped construction can begin by September and be finished by the end of December.
“It’s an old structure, a wooden structure, so some of the old beams are failing,” said Mike MacIntyre, CRD acting senior manager of regional parks.
The trestle bridge is across the Todd Creek valley about 1.5 kilometres south of Sooke Potholes Regional Park and is part of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. It has been closed for repairs since August.
Trail users bypass the closed trestle by using a 0.9-kilometre special trail. The CRD cautions, however, the bypass trail is rocky and has steep sections.
Other options for access to the Galloping Goose exist from parking lots along Sooke River Road north and immediately south of the trestle.
MacIntyre said repairs will involve replacing some of the trestle’s big wooden beams. The work will not, however, involve the use of older preservatives now known to be harmful to the environment, such as creosote.
He said the curved trestle was originally built in 1917 for railway traffic but saw its last train in 1984.
At 113 metres long across its entire span and 21 metres at its highest point, the trestle offers views down the valley and a chance to stand on a historic structure.
“Trestles tie us back to the history of the railway and Canada’s history has a lot to do with railways,” MacIntyre said.