Bridge across channel expected to be economic generator

PENTICTON – The Penticton Indian Band officially announced the commencement of construction of the band’s Satik (pronounced Sa-TI-koo) Crossing bridge on Jan.12.

The bridge is expected to open up approximately 150 acres of locatee lands that were previously inaccessible.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Working with the City of Penticton and other partners, we can attract businesses wishing to locate in Penticton that have previously faced a significant shortage of developable lands,” said Chief Jonathan Kruger of the Penticton Indian Band.

Chief Kruger said the project has generated a lot of interest from a number of reputable corporations and businesses following the initial announcement of the bridge last fall. A shopping centre is already in the final planning stages for development on part of the site.

The site is considered to be a prime location for a mix of retail, wholesale-commercial, light-industrial, institutional and mixed-use residential. The bridge and future developments could create up to $2 million in annual revenues for the band and more than 600 local jobs over the next 10 years.

Public information signage will be erected in advance of the work zone to advise motorists of road closures and traffic outages. From Jan.12 to June 2015,  the following traffic changes will be in effect 24 hours a day:
– Highway 97 southbound: one through lane left turn to Green Avenue eastbound closed.
– Highway 97 northbound: one through lane. Right turn to Green Avenue eastbound open.
Green Avenue egress: left turn access to Highway 97 southbound closed. Right turn access to Highway 97 northbound open.

The dike road and walking path will be closed from Green Mountain Road south to the project limits during construction.

The bridge is expected to be completed in October.

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.