Work is underway on a new pedestrian stream crossing on the main trail in the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands southwest of Campbell River.
Construction on the bridge in the recreational area began Aug. 9 and is scheduled for completion Aug. 31.
It is being built with $109,500 in funding from B.C.’s Forest Employment Program, which has given out more than $21 million since 2022 to help forestry workers transition to new jobs.
The project will also benefit upstream fish passage, which was affected by a recent washout in the area.
More bridge projects for the area are in the bidding process.
The Beaver Lodge Forest Lands feature many tributaries of Simms Creek, as well a complex network of forest ecosystems, a variety of wildlife species and an extensive systems of trails.
They were formerly used by the province for experimental forestry, forest research and forest management, but are now used for recreation and as an outdoor classroom for nearby schools.
The Forest Employment Program has helped create 882 short-term employment opportunities for forestry contractors and workers to dealing with the impact of mill closures and other changes in the forestry sector.
