West Kelowna

Motorists should expect minor delays on Vineyard Drive in West Kelowna for the next few weeks as construction begins on traffic calming measures.

As weather permits this fall, crews will construct six curb extensions on a 380 metre section of the street between Ridge Boulevard and Merlot Court. 

Funding for the traffic calming measures was provided through contributions from the developer of the Vineyard Estates neighbourhood, Victor Projects. The six curb extensions will cost a total of $38,000 to install.

The District of West Kelowna will follow up with additional works, including signage installation this fall and line painting in the spring, at an additional cost of approximately $12,000.

The municipality will study the effects of the curb extensions on traffic speeds and volumes in the area before deciding on further measures.

A traffic study suggested four more curb extensions, rumble strips and median islands could be constructed as part of future phases, if necessary.

The neighbourhood approached the municipality about the possibility of installing calming measures because of increased traffic volumes, speeding and non-residential vehicles travelling on Vineyard Drive.

The municipality constructed similar traffic calming measures on Shannon Ridge Drive in 2010, at residents’ requests, after a traffic study was conducted to measure volumes, speeds and vehicle classifications.

A traffic calming study for the greater Shannon Lake neighbourhood is next on the District of West Kelowna’s priority list.

The municipality will be counting traffic volumes, assessing speeds and observing vehicle classifications before bringing recommended actions to Council for further consideration.