Skip to content

Kal Lake Road debate may resurface

Coun. Catherine Lord is going back to businesses to discuss possible road closure
web1_170323-VMS-M-Screen-Shot-2017-03-23-at-7.54.24-AM-2

A contentious road closure could be back before Vernon politicians.

Two weeks ago, city council approved a plan that will see Kalamalka Lake Road, from Brown Road to the Coldstream border, shut down for six to eight weeks for upgrades. However, Coun. Catherine Lord is now approaching businesses in the area about the issue.

“I want to double-check with the businesses that this is the option they want. I want to make sure they know what this option means,” she said.

Based on the feedback she receives, Lord may raise the closure at Monday’s council meeting.

“If there is an appetite to revisit among the businesses, I will bring it forward to council. If not, we’ll leave it,” she said.

City staff had originally proposed a construction period of 12 to 16 weeks with Kal Lake Road closed for that entire time. But council on March 13, decided instead to a construction period of 20 to 24 weeks with alternating traffic, although the road will be closed for six to eight weeks. The single, alternating traffic will increase the $3 million project budget by $279,500.

Many of the businesses have stated that road closures of any length will drive customers away and there were calls for 24-hour construction to shorten the length of the project and the road closure. However, city staff and some council members indicated that 24-hour construction would negatively impact residents in the area.