Bernard Ave. phase 2 in home stretch

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Sidewalks have been complete along much of phase 2 of the Bernard Avenue Revitalization project

It won't be long now before Bernard Avenue is once again fully open to traffic.

Phase 2 of the Bernard Avenue Revitalization project which has shut down Kelowna's main drag between Pandosy and Abbott streets since early Feb. is nearly complete.

The major work remaining on the second phase of the project centers around paving.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Paving and line painting are the two major portions of Bernard Ave. left to finish

"Top lift paving is currently scheduled for Wed. or Thurs. (next week) but top lift is very weather dependent," says Kelly Kay, business liaison for the project.

"Even if the road is damp - if it rains the day before - that could delay that. It's scheduled but that doesn't mean it will occur."

At the present time, the forecast calls for showers Tue., Wed., and Thurs.

Once the final top lift of paving is complete then the line painters will come in and lay down the road markings.

After than, Kay says all that will be left will be smaller items such as furniture and curbing.

While there has been talk the project could be complete and the road re-opened by the end of the first week of June, Kay reminds people the contracted end of the project is June 30.

"Some of the remaining things like paving and line painting are so weather dependent we aren't really talking about an end date yet," says Kay.

"The contract does say they need to be done no later than June 30 so the contractor can actually be in the site until June 30."

There is however a provision which provides the contractor with a bonus if the project is complete and the road opens earlier than June 30.

The third and final phase of the Bernard Avenue project (Pandosy to St. Paul streets) will begin after Labour Day and is scheduled to be complete Dec. 7.

Again, depending on weather some additional work, such as top lift paving and line painting, may have to wait unti the spring of 2014.

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

The mountains and valleys theme in Phase 1 is picked up in the pinecone cutouts on the traffic bollards and the Arrowleafed Balsamroot flowers etched on the sidewalk.

Meantime, frequent visitors of downtown will have noticed several 'themes' within the design project.

Three distinct themes are being featured with unique design elements in each phase of the new streetscape.

“The themes are derived from our local natural and cultural heritage with tributes to the First Nation people of this area,” says Parks and Public Space Projects Manager Andrew Gibbs.

“Placemaking draws on a community’s assets, inspiration and potential to create vibrant public spaces that promote discovery and enjoyment, and enhance the community’s attachment to public spaces.”

At the east end of Bernard, the street emphasizes the hillsides and grasslands of the valley. The west end emphasizes the lake and our aquatic environment. And in between the theme highlights the cultural history of our community.

Specific features to note include:

• Traffic bollards at the crosswalks inset with naturally rusting corten steel and cut out images relevant to the themes
• Natural wood plates on the light posts
• Natural basalt stone benches and pavers
• Local animals and plants engraved in sporadically placed polished basalt pavers
• Garbage cans, utility boxes and bike lockers uniquely wrapped with historical images
• Gobo lights projecting images onto the sidewalk
• Sidewalk etchings at pedestrian crossings 
• Thematic public art components built into the light standards