Road project jumps by $1.1M

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelowna

It is going to cost the City of Kelowna another $1.12M to upgrade Lakeshore Road from Cook Road to Lexington Drive.

The project, which includes replacement of the Mission Creek Bridge, is scheduled to begin in April and completed by November.

The extra costs include $700,000 for construction of the trunk sewer main and $750,000 for additional features.

The additional costs will be funded through current reserves and existing capital projects.

As a result, three capital projects planned for 2014 have been cancelled and will be re-evaluated for the 2015 capital program.

"The detail design process of this signature road corridor has revealed additional items that will require additional funds," says project manager, Purvez Irani.

In his report to council, Irani says two options are available, requesting the additional funds to complete the project as scheduled or complete the project over two construction seasons. The second option would likely mean the portion of Lakeshore Road would have to be closed for two consecutive years.

It is recommended the additional funds be used to complete the project as scheduled this year.

The main components of the project are replacement of the Mission Creek Bridge and up-sizing the sewer trunk.

Since the tendering process is still ongoing Irani says he doesn't know yet the exact dates for demolition of the Mission Creek Bridge.

He expects it to happen sometime in May.

Irani says before the project begins an open house will be held to inform the travelling public when the road will be shut down and what detours are available.

Overall cost of the project, with the new money added, is approximately $11M.

Video of Lakeshore Road drive over from Richter Street to Lexington Drive