Fortis dispute could disrupt Bernard Ave.

The on-going labour dispute between FortisBC and members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (!BEW), local 213, could delay a portion of Phase 3 of the Bernard Avenue Revitalization project.

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

The final phase of the project will begin Tuesday and is slated to wrap up in early December.

It was scheduled to take place between Pandosy and St. Paul streets, however, the current labour dispute between Fortis and its union could force the city to modify that plan.

Project Manager, Purvez Irani, says at least a portion of phase 3 will begin as scheduled.

"As of today I cannot confirm either way whether it will be an issue or not because I am waiting from their (Fortis) confirmation)," says Irani.

"We are starting off from St. Paul to Ellis. If it's not an issue we will have planned to go all the way to Pandosy."

Irani says he expects a final answer sometime within the next week.

If Fortis is unable to do the required work then the city will continue on with work between Ellis and St. Paul.

The utility work on that one block stretch was complete during phase one a year ago so the city will be able to finish the top side work on that section.