By Tom Mark

Lake Country Mayor Hopes Glenmore Road Resolution Near

May 7, 2018 | 6:51 AM

Picture: Google Street View

The District of Lake Country is still waiting to hear from the provincial government on improvements to the Highway 97 – Glenmore Road intersection.

Mayor James Baker says the change of government delayed plans, but the district has an idea.

“If the long terms plans are taking too long, the total fix up for the Highway 97 corridor, which this is a part of, we’re saying do a quick fix here and it won’t be a waste of infrastructure.”

Baker says the district wants to see two lanes turning left from Glenmore onto the highway.

Housing Starts

Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far

1h ago

Employee Safety

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

18h ago

mid- to high 30s

Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan

18h ago

He thinks that can be done with little problem.

“There is room there, shifting some sidewalk and barriers to create a third lane and then changing the lights so that you have two arrows taking you around left.”

Baker says that would get more vehicles through every sequence of the lights.

The improvements would be cost-shared with the province.

“We’re still working with highways to be able to do that. Hopefully, this year and if we can get them to look at it this year as a solution then it should be done by next year.”

Baker thinks the City of Kelowna should also share in the cost since it also has traffic coming out of the industrial area.

But he says Kelowna considers it a Lake Country problem.

Either way, the Mayor says if it means a trip to Victoria to press the matter, he’d be on his way.

CJIB News contacted the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for an update and was provided the following comment:

The ministry recognizes that this intersection can experience some significant traffic delays, and people who get stuck in traffic are frustrated by it.
Ministry staff are actively working on a solution for this intersection – plus other intersections – along this key corridor for the region.

The ministry has been working on the Central Okanagan Planning Study since 2014, which is a regional transportation study that will define the long term needs of the corridor, as more people are moving into this region and growth continues. The study has identified the need for safety and traffic flow improvements at this intersection.

Ministry staff will be connecting with the District of Lake Country soon to discuss future plans for improvements at GlenmoreBeaver Lake Road intersection

by Tom Mark