Beautification work getting underway on intersection at City Hall; expect some delays

NEWS — Work is getting underway on utility upgrading and beautification of the streets intersecting in front of Kamloops City Hall.

Extreme Excavating Ltd. has the contract for the work, which includes Lorne Street and First Avenue from Uji Way to Seymour Street, and Victoria Street West and Lansdowne Street from 63 Victoria Street West towards Second Avenue.

The $1.8 million project — $200,000 more than budgeted — is expected to be finished in July. Realignment of the intersection is the last phase of a four-phase upgrade to the Lorne Street corridor involving street work, better traffic circulation, and enhancement of the area connecting Riverside Park, the Interior Savings Centre and the downtown core.

It includes some road resurfacing and improvements to the Riverside Park entrance at Heritage House.

Construction will be done Mondays to Fridays between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with some nights and weekends. The City says directional traffic will be maintained throughout the work zone but delays are expected.

Access to City Hall and the 100 block Victoria Street will be maintained via a Second Avenue detour. Businesses in the 100 block Victoria Street and 100 block of Lansdowne Street will be open and accessible throughout the project. Parking, however, may be limited.

Drivers are advised to slow down, use caution, and note any temporary detours, and follow directions from traffic control staff. Pedestrians walking through the work zone are asked to obey all pedestrian-related signage and flaggers.

Questions can be directed to the City’s public works and utilities department at 250-828-3461.