Tonquin Trail Bridge Replacement

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Project Overview

The District of Tofino is replacing the existing timber bridge on the Tonquin Trail with a new, modern steel bridge. This infrastructure upgrade is essential to improving the safety, accessibility, and long-term usability of this well-loved community trail.

Why the Replacement is Needed

• The current timber bridge is approaching the end of its service life.

• A 2022 engineering assessment confirmed it is unsafe for heavy equipment, which prevents the District from completing essential work on the southern section of the Tonquin Trail.

• The structure’s limitations have halted key trail maintenance and improvement efforts, particularly towards Middle Beach.

Benefits of the New Bridge

Once complete, the new steel bridge will:

• Ensure safe pedestrian access across the creek.

• Enable larger maintenance machinery to access the southern portion of the trail.

• Support ongoing trail remediation and upgrades.

• Improve the trail’s overall safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.

Construction Timeline & Trail Access

To accommodate construction:

• Access to the trail at Peterson Drive and the connector between the north and south trail sections will be closed starting April 7, 2025. See image in Documents section.

• The trail will reopen in May 2025 once construction is complete.

• Clear signage and detours will be posted to guide trail users during the closure.

Project Budget

The project’s total cost is $285,119, fully funded by the Province of British Columbia's Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program.