 Brilliant Suspension Bridge is one of BC's oldest suspension Bridges It was built in 1913 by the member's of the Doukhobor, Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood ("CCUB") Organization, to provide a transportation link across the Kootenay River to Brilliant and the road to Nelson.
The members of the CCUB provided all of the labour and raised more than 2/3 of the costs of the bridge to provide a very important permanent transportation link for use by everyone in the area. A public works grant provided the balance of funding for the bridge construction. The bridge was a vital transportation link to the Castlegar Airport and the community of Ootischenia until it was decommissioned in 1968 when a new highway bridge was built.
In 1991, the Brilliant Suspension Bridge Restoration Working Group was formed to consider restoring the bridge which has been recognized by historians, engineers, local and regional officials, numerous heritage, historical, and cultural organizations as deserving a place of honour for its role in the development of the West Kootenay area.
The bridge has also been recognized as being of "national historic significance and should be commemorated" as such by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. In considering this designation he Board noted: "...The bridge ranks as a symbol of Doukhobor culture and is one of the few remaining resources connected with this culture... Its construction, almost entirely by Doukhobor settlers, was a major accomplishment for a pioneer community..."
Since 1991, the Working Group has received support from local private donations, the British Columbia Heritage Trust, BC Hydro, Pope & Talbot, Kalesnikoff Lumber, Teck Cominco, Selkirk College, Columbia Power Corporation, RDCK, local engineers and designers, and others, which enabled diverse phases of the restoration work to proceed.
The Honourable Sandy Santon, was approached to help determine if the Ministry of Transportation, who still have jurisdiction over the site, may be able to provide some assistance with respect to the- aforementioned issues as bridge is still part of their inventory.
Mr. Santori, and local Regional District directors, John Voykin and Gordon Zaitsoff have been diligent in their efforts in helping to facilitate a solution to this matter. It is also anticipated that a project manager will be retained shortly to help complete the final phases of the restoration. Community support for the project has been unwavering since its inception in 1991.
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