Damage to Chilliwack FSR bridge raises concerns about emergency access in the CRV

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“I’d really like to see that bridge fixed. It’s such a secondary route out of here,” Kramer said.

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If when and it’s repaired, he says it could function as an evacuation route for the Chilliwack River Valley.

Barriers obstruct access to a bridge on Bench Road. (Image Credit: Derrick Kramer.)

“It’s the only other exit out of this valley if there’s an emergency,” said Kramer. “I just hope somehow, whether it’s through the city, provincial government, native, or logging industry, to get a secondary route for an escape in case of emergency for the Chilliwack Valley.”

Bench Road is accessible via Foley Creek FSR. It winds up connecting to Elk View Road in the Ryder Lake area.

In a social media post dated August 31, Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Area E Director Patti MacAhonic says she has been seeking answers on the Army Bench crossing since May 2026. She said Post Creek residents and Chilliwack River Valley residents overall deserve clear information about issues affecting emergency access and public safety.

“The crossing remains unusable, and while repairs are anticipated for next year, subject to permitting, I will continue advocating for timely updates and the restoration of a dependable secondary route for the community,” MacAhonic said.

MacAhonic says the province has confirmed that the bridge crossing remains unchanged and is not currently usable.

Another look at the damaged bridge in the Chilliwack backcountry.

“While Army Bench is a Forest Service Road, the crossing is maintained by a road-use permit holder who is working to obtain the permits required to complete repairs. The current expectation is that work will not begin until next year due to environmental permitting requirements and restrictions on in-stream work during periods when fish may be present,” MacAhonic wrote on social media.

The B.C. Ministry of Forests confirmed to Fraser Valley Today in a statement that Bench Forest Service Road is maintained by a road-use permit (RUP) holder. The RUP holder has plans to fix the damaged bridge and is in the process of obtaining the required authorizations and purchasing the bridge components. The Ministry of Forests did not identify the name of the RUP holder.

“The RUP holder isn’t able to complete any works until the bridge components are fabricated, and while fish may be using the fish stream during periods of fish migration,” the Ministry of Forests wrote in a statement to Fraser Valley Today.

The ministry says Bench FSR is not designated as an evacuation route.

“A designation would require shared planning with local governments. At this time, it is not supported by current designations, associated forestry legislation, and funding,” the Ministry of Forests said. “We understand that forest service roads (FSR) are important to the people who live in the rural and remote areas of this province. The Ministry of Forests is committed to ensuring its 60,000 kms of FSRs are designed, built, maintained – and when appropriate, deactivated – as safely and effectively as possible.”

While Bench FSR has not been designated as an evacuation route for the Chilliwack River Valley, Kramer says there’s a much different reality for local residents.

“I understand that the Bench FSR is not currently designated as an emergency route; the reality on the ground makes a secondary evacuation route an absolute necessity. Chilliwack River Valley is a high-risk area,” Kramer said. “If the main road is compromised, thousands of full-time residents, a massive volume of seasonal backcountry visitors, and the staff and inmates at the Ford Mountain Correctional Centre would be entirely cut off with no way out. This safety issue needs to be addressed with our local government.”

MacAhonic said she has repeatedly requested information since May so that residents can understand the status of the crossing, responsibility for the repairs and the anticipated path forward.

“I appreciate the eventual response and recognize the competing demands on provincial staff, particularly during wildfire season. However, timely communication about emergency-access issues must remain a priority for rural communities,” MacAhonic said.

She said provincial compliance and enforcement staff are also following up on hauling and road use near Slesse Road.

“The Province has advised that current logging activity is not related to the Army Bench crossing closure. It is also reviewing whether the appropriate permissions are in place for any hauling activity that may involve the Forest Service Road,” she wrote. “In an emergency, the Province has indicated that temporary measures—including a temporary crossing or Search and Rescue support—could be considered to facilitate safe passage if required. While that assurance is important, my priority remains restoring a reliable secondary access route as soon as it can be safely completed and all necessary regulatory requirements have been met.”