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Kal Lake Road costs soar

Council agreed unanimously Monday to spend an additional $560,000, bringing the total project expense to $4 million
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The City of Vernon will conduct upgrades on Kalamalka Lake Road from Browne Road to the Coldstream boundary. (Google Maps photo)

More money is being pumped into a controversial Vernon road project.

Council agreed unanimously Monday to spend an additional $560,000 on upgrades to Kalamalka Lake Road, bringing the total project expense to $4 million.

“There’s a busy economy and we’re seeing an increase in construction costs,” said Coun. Brian Quiring.

“The project is going ahead and we need extra money.”

One of the reasons for the situation is an increase in construction costs in part, due to federal and provincial infrastructure grants creating a competitive construction labour market in B.C.

However, other factors driving up the price tag are linked to city hall.

There were unforeseen findings discovered during detailed design, such as the addition of storm sewer and related curb and gutter, while there is a higher cost to reducing the time period of the full road closure from Browne Road to the Coldstream boundary.

Some businesses along Kalamalka Lake Road have expressed concern that the road closure during construction will divert customers away.

“I understand the frustration,” said Mayor Akbal Mund.

“We’re trying to complete the project as fast as possible. We’re not trying to drag it out.”

The city is promoting the corridor as a connector to the Okanagan Rail trail, which will run between Coldstream and Kelowna.

“It’s important to have now,” said Mund of the tourism potential generated by the rail trail.

However, he insists there is more to the Kal Lake Road work than a pedestrian/bicycle path.

“The project needs to be done for aging infrastructure,” he said.