Dangerous section of Coquihalla Highway getting $2.2M worth of safety work

Motorists using the Coquihalla Highway can expect delays south of Merritt when work to install centre median barriers, and other safety improvements, begin later this month.

A $2.2 million contract to install the concrete barriers in addition to shoulder widening has been issued to Jakes Construction Ltd. for the Highway 5 Mine Creek Curves project located 55 kilometres south of Merritt, according to a Ministry of Transportation media release today, June 3.

The project site covers a section of the Coquihalla Highway that has been the location of some cross-over crashes in the past.

Plans are for the installation of four kilometres of centre median barrier.

Work is expected to get underway later this month, with completion scheduled for fall.

The ministry says drivers can expect delays during the project and reminds them to obey construction zone speed limits.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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