WEST KELOWNA – West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater is urging motorists to slow down and obey signage when using detours for the Westlake Road Upgrade construction.

“We’ve been receiving concerns from residents that our detour route, McDougall Road, is a speedway, something that concerns West Kelowna Council greatly,” says Mayor Doug Findlater. “We are upgrading Westlake Road because it is in dire need of urbanization precisely because it is used by so many vehicles and pedestrians and McDougall Road is also quite narrow and winding.”

Westlake Road was originally built as a rural street, with minimal shoulders, overland drainage and no defined pedestrian or cycling passage. The $5.1 million construction project currently underway will widen the road and install sidewalks and cycling lanes. During construction, sections of Westlake Road will be closed, requiring detours to be established.

“This is a time to plan to leave earlier and take it slow, rather than racing along a narrow road that is also our detoured transit route and will be used by pedestrians and construction vehicles,” says Mayor Findlater. “In September, when the District’s new Rosewood Sportsfield and the new Mar Jok Elementary school opens, we’ll all be able to breathe a sigh of relief that Westlake Road is open and safe for all users,” says Mayor Findlater. “Until then, I ask motorists to please consider alternate routes or, barring that, be respectful to all users of our roads.”

Mayor Findlater says West Kelowna RCMP has been asked to increase speed control patrols in the area.

All users of Westlake Road are encouraged to sign up to receive Westlake Road construction-related updates via e-Notification through the District’s website, www.districtofwestkelowna.ca or Twitter and Facebook.