CANADA-BC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

KELOWNA – Residents of Kelowna will benefit from $39 million in joint federal and provincial funding for a series of local transportation improvements announced today by Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning.

A two-km climbing lane will be constructed on the section of Highway 33 known as Walker Hill. The $5-million project will improve safety and reduce travel delays caused by significant queuing behind slow-moving vehicles, predominately chip trucks, on the long grade up Walker Hill. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2009, and finish in summer 2010.

$11.5 million will be invested in a series of multiuse pathways and sidewalks providing sustainable cycling and pedestrian infrastructure connecting key areas of Kelowna and forming the core of the city’s Active Transportation Network. Work will include:

· Lakeshore Road Multi-use Pathway from Gyro Park to Mission Creek Greenway.

· Cawston Avenue Multi-use Pathway extending Rails with Trails corridor to the downtown area.

· Houghton Road Multi-use Pathway from Highway 97 east to Rutland Rd

· Dayton Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Overpass crossing Highway 97 at PRC

· Abbott Street Recreation Corridor from Royal Avenue to Christleton Avenue.

$15.6 million will be spent on upgrades to Gordon Drive and replacing the Mission Creek

Bridge. This will add one additional traffic lane, primarily in the northbound direction and a multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. A four-lane bridge will replace the existing two-lane structure and a new traffic signal at Cook Road and Gordon Drive will be installed.

$7 million will be invested in a new transit maintenance building to maintain a new rapid bus service as well as other transit fleet expansion requirements.

“Our government is committed to working together with our provincial and municipal partners to develop an inter-grated transportation system for the region that will be reliable, efficient and reduce greenhouse gases,” said Cannan. “These investments are critical to creating a long-term economical and environmental sustainable community.”

“I am pleased to see the construction of a climbing lane on Walker Hill, as well as the road, bridge and pathway upgrades.” said Horning. “Not only will these projects improve traffic flow, they will help stimulate the local economy by supporting jobs. These projects are expected to create more than 200 jobs, at a time when the need for economic stimulus is greatest.”

“We have done a lot of planning and design work that combines better traffic flow with expanded access to off-road routes for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “Four-laning Gordon Drive and building a new bridge across Mission Creek will improve a significant traffic bottleneck. And funds to expand our network of multi-use pathways move us closer to our vision of an active transportation network in all sectors of the city.”

The Provincial portion of the funding comes from an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

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Media contact:	Jeff Knight Communications Manager Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250 356-7707	Ron Cannan MP for Kelowna-Lake Country 250 470-5075

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