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Construction
2015 TOP STORIES: Kamloops deals with construction, recycling strike and referendum
KAMLOOPS - It was an eventful year for Kamloops residents, as we dealt with an abundance of major roadwork, a referendum, a recycling strike, the construction of a new casino and of course the proposed Ajax Mine taking a step forward in its application. PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE In April we were introduced to a plan...
Rain stalls completion of Kamloops’ Overlanders Bridge
KAMLOOPS - With only days until its scheduled completion, Mother Nature has thrown a wrench in the Overlanders Bridge construction plans. “We’re almost there!” Transportation coordinator Colleen Lepik says, noting that, unfortunately, rain in the forecast has delayed completion of the construction project a few days past the original Oct. 31 target. “The actual date...
Construction sign heist hits North Okanagan highway
LUMBY - Police are scratching their heads after numerous traffic signs went missing from a highway construction project in the North Okanagan. RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says Controlling Traffic Limited has reported roughly 30 signs stolen from an area on Highway 6 between Lumby and Lavington where paving work is being done. The signs, which...
What to expect in the final weeks of construction season in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – One down, four to go, as the season for roadwork winds down in Kamloops. The Columbia Street project is officially complete and the remaining city construction projects are fast drawing to a close. Overlanders Bridge Crews continue to work on the east side of the bridge and will be removing west side scaffolding...
The facts about next week’s five construction projects in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Beginning next week, construction crews in the city will be working on five different projects in the city, some short-term, others longer. Here’s an update of closures or delays to expect. OVERLANDERS BRIDGE Now that the west side of the bridge has been completed, crews are continuing work on the other side. Materials...
Construction worker trapped in West Kelowna
KELOWNA – A construction worker had to be rescued from a building in West Kelowna today, Sept. 23, after the truss system above him collapsed. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to a building that was under construction on Carrington Road. A media release says firefighters from Lakeview Heights and Westbank stations...
$2-million pharmacy project at Vernon Jubilee Hospital a wrap
VERNON - Vernon Jubilee Hospital’s old emergency department has been transformed. Left empty after the emergency department moved to the Polson Tower in 2011, the space was renovated to house the hospital’s pharmacy. Those renovations, which began in early 2014, are now complete, and the new pharmacy — previously located in the basement — becomes...
Night construction could cause traffic delays in Kelowna next week
KELOWNA - A pair of roadwork projects on the city’s major highways will cause some delays next week. On both Highway 97 and Highway 33 road construction will reduce traffic to single-lane alternating traffic, according to information posted to the province’s Drive B.C. website. Work will take place east of Hollywood Road on Highway 33...
August construction values increase dramatically in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - August marks a strong month for construction values in Kamloops, a positive change following a decline over the summer. Like this past July, August had some big differences in the amount of permits issued from last year. In total 18 single family housing permits were issued this August, as opposed to 27 issued...
Lakeshore Road paving finally set to begin
KELOWNA – The stretch of Lakeshore Road between DeHart Road and McClure Road will get even slower in the coming weeks as crews finally begin paving the busy Mission corridor. Up until Labour Day weekend, only one lane will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and motorists are urged to give themselves extra...
New Splatsin Community Centre is ‘awesome’ chief says
ENDERBY - As far as community centres go, this one looks a little different. The brand new, state of the art Splatsin Community Centre in Enderby is well on its way to completion and is worth stopping by to take a look at, if only from the outside. Splatsin chief Kukpi7 Wayne Christian describes it...
Future unknown for Vernon property wrecked by massive fire
VERNON - A burned out lot in the City of Vernon where government offices and a podiatry clinic used to be, could be sitting empty for a while. The building was destroyed in a massive fire June 30, displacing workers at the Ministry of Social Development workers and the podiatry clinic, North Okanagan Foot and...
Building permits remain status quo in June
KAMLOOPS – June saw little change over last year when it comes to building permits issued in the city. Housing starts in Kamloops were on an upswing during the first few months of 2015, but this past May they declined and now June they have plateaued. Single family housing permits issued were exactly the same...
Road construction crews pushing through Kamloops heat
KAMLOOPS – Construction in the city continues to press on and here is what you need to know when commuting this coming week. The Columbia Street construction project remains the same from the week before with work continuing on the south side of the street. Pedestrians are asked to use the north sidewalk and the...
Friends determined to finish house for Vernon dad sidelined by cancer
VERNON - Efforts are underway to ensure that when a Vernon man returns from cancer treatment in Vancouver he’ll be coming home to a finished house. Homer Alexis started feeling ill about a month ago, but chalked the symptoms up to the flu. When he didn’t get better, his wife Denise drove him to Vernon...
Kamloops worker shot in chest with nail gun did not have access to instruction materials
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops construction company must better inform its employees on the use of nail guns after a man accidentally shot himself in the chest last month. According to WorkSafe B.C. inspector Vince Strain, a worker on a Columbia street construction site was trying to attach a brace on architectural trusses with a nail...
Expect delays on Columbia Street next week
KAMLOOPS - Drivers can expect more delays on their commutes starting next week with work having already started on the Columbia Street widening project. The city’s capital projects manager Darren Crundwell says work started Tuesday, May 19, but the site will get busier starting May 25 as Fortis B.C. begins work on the site and...
More delays along Lakeshore Road
KELOWNA – If you thought delays along Lakeshore Road were over, think again. Crews have begun prep work for the South Pandosy Transit Exchange project between KLO Road and Lanfranco Road and although both lanes will largely remain open, lane restrictions will be implemented causing delays along the busy corridor. According to the City of...
Kamloops building permit numbers remain strong
KAMLOOPS - With another $13-million in building permits issued last month, 2015 remains well ahead of last year for building construction. The 40 residential permits issued in April was the same this year as last, but at $9.94 million in 2015 the value was nearly 64 per cent higher than in 2014. A large portion...
Upgrades set to begin on Coquihalla Highway
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Several stretches of the Coquihalla Highway will get a $15-million facelift this year as part of the province’s 10-year transportation plan. "Rehabilitation of provincial highways and side roads is a major component of our 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move,” Transportation Minister Todd Stone said in a release. “These projects to improve...
Construction just around the corner for Vernon’s new Tim Hortons
VERNON - Construction on Vernon’s latest Tim Hortons is expected to start soon across from Beairtso Elementary School. Southborough Vernon Investments Ltd. director David Longpré says the company plans to break ground within the next month and complete the drive-through Tim Hortons and CO-OP Gas Bar by the end of the year. “There’s anticipations it...
Kamloops building permit values stay ahead of last year
KAMLOOPS - With the first quarter behind us the construction industry remains strong in Kamloops. More than $21 million in building permits were issued in March, up more than $3.3 million over March 2014 and a total of nearly $22 million year over year. A total of 31 single family permits were issued in March...
Find out how YLW plans to spend $55.6M
KELOWNA - Kelowna International Airport is inviting the general public to an open house so they can see for themselves how construction projects costing $55.6 million will change the landscape at YLW in the year ahead. The open house takes place from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 31 on the Messanine level at...
From spring cleaning to spring construction
KAMLOOPS - It’s that time of year. Spring officially kicks off March 20, but we’ve been lucky enough to already have several weeks of spring-like weather, allowing crews to get roads cleaned ahead of construction season. Streets Manager Glen Farrow says things are progressing well and crews are ready to move in to the Sahali...