Summer means roadwork

Photo: Contributed

As spring inches closer, so too does road construction season.

Work will soon begin on a narrow section of Westside Road in West Kelowna, from La Casa Resort to Muir Road.

The improvements to the area are expected to help safety and traffic flow, by widening the road and adding roadside barriers.

"People have been waiting a long time for improvements to Westside Road along Okanagan Lake. Widening the road and adding guardrails will make travel safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for everyone," said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "This narrow stretch sees more than 1,000 vehicles every day, as well as numerous cyclists and pedestrians, who will benefit from a safer roadway once construction has been completed."

The project will take place about 30 kilometres north of the Highway 97 intersection, on a part of Westside Road that features steep rock bluffs on one side, and 20-50 metre embankments down to Okanagan Lake on the other.

Work will include 1.3 kilometres of lane widening and straightening to improve sight lines and visibility. Guardrails will also be added to reduce the potential for vehicles leaving the highway, and a paved shoulder will be added to create more room for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project will also include slope-stabilization works, and crossing improvements at the intersection of Westside Road and Barcelona Drive, that should be completed by mid-May 2018.

The improvements will likely require minor delays or short scheduled closures of Westside Road and motorists are asked to respect roadside workers you can get more information on
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online.