Channel Bridge project moves a step closer to reality

PENTICTON – Another step forward for the Channel Crossing bridge as the Penticton Indian Band accepts bids on the multi-million dollar project.

Companies will give their best estimates of how much it will cost to build the five-lane bridge, traffic signals and highway improvements. Engineers have created detailed designs and specification books for bidding companies to pick up starting October 15 and use as resources for their estimates, says Dave Pritchard of TRUE Consulting in Kelowna.

Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger hopes bridge construction will begin in January. Companies have until Dec. 2, 2014 at 2 p.m. to submit their bids.

The band has received provincial and federal funding to help cover the costs of the development, which Kruger says the band are very thankful for.

On the other side of the channel, land is being leased on the west side of the channel for the big-box-store shopping centre that is also part of the Penticton Indian Band’s economic growth project.

Plans for the shopping centre include automotive, insurance, electronic, discount, dollar stores and a parking lot for 720 vehicles.

Kruger says the project will provide people with the consumer goods they normally have to travel to Kelowna for.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.