Over $12-million in improvements to Hope-Princeton highway

PENTICTON – Those travelling from the South Okanagan and Similkameen to Vancouver on Highway 3 will soon see construction activity on one of the route’s most notorious stretches west of Princeton.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Transport Canada have announced work is scheduled to begin next month on a $12.53-million highway realignment project between Sunday Creek and Sunday Summit on the Hope-Princeton section of Highway 3, according to a media release

The project involves straightening of five kilometres of highway in addition to extending the westbound Sunday Summit passing lane and extending the newly created Saturday Creek passing lane.

"I am pleased that work is ready to begin on this vital highway link between Hope and Princeton, because it is important to keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently on the province's transportation network," Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart says in the release. "I would also like to recognize the work done by the coalition of mayors in prioritizing this stretch of road for improvement on Highway 3."

Emil Anderson Construction of Kelowna was awarded the contract.

Drivers are advised to expect delays and monitor the Drive BC website for the latest information.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.