Construction begins on missing links in Vernon’s cross-city bike path

VERNON – Construction is underway which once fully completed will allow cyclists and pedestrians in Vernon to travel on a purpose built path away from vehicles all the way from the north end of the city to downtown and onto Polson Park.

While parts of this north-south multi-use path are already complete, new construction work this year will connect the missing links and complete the north-south route.

Mayor of Vernon Victor Cumming said once complete the multi-use path will connect the hotels in the north of the city to downtown, Polson Park and on to the Okanagan Rail Trail and Kalamalka Lake.

READ MORE: Cycling 101: How to use Vernon's new cycle tracks, multi-use pathways and elephant feet crossings

Currently, a gravel path runs between Anderson Way and Highway 97, located at the rear of the businesses from roughly the Temptasian Restaurant to 48 Avenue. The path is currently around 50 per cent complete.

Construction has recently started on a multi-use path along 48 Street, which will connect Anderson Way and Highway 97 to the existing multi-use path which travels north-south along 29 Street and currently ends at Seaton Secondary School.

City of Vernon transportation manager Amanda Watson said work should start soon on a multi-use path from the school north-south between 29 Avenue to 39 Avenue.

From there a new road and multi-use path is scheduled to start construction soon crossing the train tracks near the site of the old Civic Arena and connecting 29 Street to 30 Street for the first time. Work is already underway to move the RV Sani-dump station located east of the Visitor Centre to the west of the centre in preparation for the upcoming construction.

Once this section is completed the new road and multi-use path will link hotels on Anderson Way to the Village Green Mall all the way to the rail trail and onto Kelowna.

Watson said the work should be complete by spring 2020.

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