Crews are tearing down what remains of the nearly 90-year-old Bell Bridge after raging waters damaged it beyond repair. The loss isn't sitting well with community residents.

The Bell Bridge in Hoyt, which was built in 1931, will be replaced with a new single lane, steel bridge that will be located a metre higher in an effort to better survive future floods.

Transportation Minister Bill Fraser says 17 families who rely on the bridge currently only have access through a temporary woods road.