Expect delays on Columbia Street next week

KAMLOOPS – Drivers can expect more delays on their commutes starting next week with work having already started on the Columbia Street widening project.

The city’s capital projects manager Darren Crundwell says work started Tuesday, May 19, but the site will get busier starting May 25 as Fortis B.C. begins work on the site and a portion of Fourth Avenue closes down for about a month.

“Columbia Street will have two lanes of traffic open (one in each direction) at all times,” Crundwell says, adding drivers can get regular updates on the construction along with Overlanders Bridge construction from the city’s website and #kammute hashtag.

Officials planned the widening project as a response to a growth in traffic and additional construction of the parking and clinical service's building at Royal Inland Hospital. Workers will do the majority of the work during the day. It has not been decided if work will continue throughout nights.

The $4.8-million project will include the closure of the Second Avenue left turn and the addition of left turn lanes to Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues. A raised median will be constructed between Third and Sixth avenues. 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.