Traffic pattern changes coming for pair of Penticton streets

PENTICTON – Motorists using Eckhardt and Westminster Avenues in Penticton will see traffic pattern changes over the next couple of months designed to make better use of the road surface and simplify driving.

An amendment to fund a more extensive capital works project involving curbing and line marking changes was recommended to Penticton City Council at the May 7 council meeting.

Penticton design supervisor Tyler Figgit asked council to approve an amended project scope to Westminster Avenue and reallocate $145,000 from the Winnipeg Street pavement rehabilitation project to fund the change.

Changes to Westminster Avenue would include standardizing and simplifying pavement markings, removal of all unused or abandoned driveway letdowns, and crosswalk modifications at Brunswick Street. Centrelines would also be re-aligned. The changes would allow for the creation of 37 new parking stalls on the street as well.

Figgit recommended postponing a planned repaving project for Winnipeg Street in order to reallocate the $130,000 budgeted for that project. The remaining $15,000 cost of the project has been identified as savings through the tender process.

Improvements to Eckhardt Avenue have already been assessed in this year’s budget at $375,000. That will allow for some pavement rehabilitation, curbing and line marking changes and the removal of one vehicle lane on the street’s four lane section for separated bike lanes.

The changes would result in narrowing of both avenues, but city engineers say traffic is light enough on both roads four lanes are not necessary.

Council was unanimous in their approval.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.