By Tom Mark

Lake Country’s Pelmewash Parkway Gets Facelift

Apr 4, 2018 | 6:10 AM

The old part of Highway 97 in Lake Country, now known as Pelmewash Parkway, is getting a major facelift.

With the district having taken over ownership of the road from the government, the plan is turn the area into a full recreation zone along the entire lakeside.

Project Manager Steve Petryshyn says construction is now underway from the south end at the Highway 97 off ramp.

“And it’ll run north all the way to the Oyama Road intersection and will also connect to the rail trail that’s under construction right now.”

Phase one is a full transformation of the region into a multi-modal corridor that will eventually look like a linear park.

Employee Safety

Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC

13h ago

mid- to high 30s

Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan

14h ago

Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded

Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby

15h ago

“The elements that will be included are a multi-use pathway running along the entire lakeside to provide better and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists. We’ll be improving the road surface and including traffic calming measures.”

Parking is to be constructed along the entire corridor along with picnic areas and canoe/kayak launch sites.

Care is also to be taken to protect the natural habitat.

“So we have an environmental consultant on the project along with a landscape architect who were able to design landscape enhancements to use native species as much as possible.”

The plan is to try to restore a lot of the riparian habitat along the lakeshore.

Much of the work will be done by the end of August, with the landscape restoration due for completion at the end of October.

The speed limit along Pelmewash in construction zones will be 20 kilometres an hour.

There will also be some road access restrictions at times.

Motorists can expect periods of single lane alternating traffic and up to 20 minute delays.

Detours and signage will be displayed so alternate routes can be taken to avoid the area during construction.

Oyama Road along the east side of Wood Lake and Highway 97 will likely be the best routing choices.

by Tom Mark