 Bob Pratt, property acquisition co-ordinator for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, explains the changes to be made on Highway 6 east of Vernon to Coldstream to Coun. Maria Besso at the formal announcement of the project at Coldstream Ranch on Tuesday. |
The improvements will increase the safety of these North Okanagan corridors said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom on Tuesday.
Approximately 2.2 kilometres of Highway 6 will be realigned between Grey Road and Ricardo Road. Existing sharp curves will be straightened to improve sightlines and highway shoulders will be widened to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA and a resident of Lumby, noted he was almost picked off by a cube van at the corner recently and remarked it was ironic the timing of the close call came close to the announcement of the project.
"I drive this highway two or three times a day, so I'm aware of the safety issue."
He added that traffic on the highway between Vernon and Lumby had doubled in the past couple of years, and there was a large increase in the volume of trucks using the route.
Foster praised the co-operation from the Agricultural Land Commission for allowing changes in the original alignment.
"We were able to straighten out the route, making for a better (railway) crossing. It's all about safety."
As part of the project, left- and right- turn lanes will be built at the Grey, Kalamalka and Ricardo intersections.
A new crossing of the Kelowna Pacific Railway will also be constructed.
The Coldstream Creek culvert under the highway will be enlarged to improve the fisheries habitat.
For Keith Balcaen, manager of Coldstream Ranch, the improvements will not only improve traffic safety, but a new cattle underpass will greatly help move both cattle and irrigation equipment to fields north of the highway. The ranch will also construct a new road south of the highway.
"We'll be able to access our fields without having to drive on the highway," said Balcaen.
This project is valued at approximately $11 million, and will go to tender this spring.
"We'll have shovels in the ground this summer and the project will be completed in 2013," said Lekstrom. "We expect the project will create 50 well-paying jobs."
Coldstream Coun. Richard Enns thanked everyone involved with the project, "which has been on the books since the '70s."
North of Vernon, approximately four kilometres of Highway 97A will be resurfaced from Crozier to Pleasant Valley Cross Road. This completes the highway resurfacing from Vernon to Armstrong. The project is valued at approximately $3 million and will go to tender this spring. Work is expected to finish by the end of August 2012.
