By Tom Mark

Upgrade For Section Of Westside Road

Mar 6, 2018 | 8:41 AM

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

The plan is to improve traffic flow and safety by widening the road and adding roadside barriers.

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena says the narrow stretch in that section sees more than 1,000 vehicles every day, as well as numerous cyclists and pedestrians.

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, installation of guardrails to reduce the potential for vehicles leaving the highway, and a paved shoulder to create more room for cyclists and pedestrians.

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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.

BD Hall Constructors Corp, from Surrey, was awarded the $5.7-million contract for the project.

It is expected to be completed December 2018.

The ministry says it is committed to ensuring there is minimal impact to traffic, but construction and paving may require minor delays or short scheduled closures of Westside Road.

Motorists are asked to obey traffic control personnel, watch for workers, and check for up-to-date traffic advisories at: DriveBC.ca

by Tom Mark