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Lake Country pushes for highway improvements

Council talks to minister about Highway 97 at Glenmore and Oceola roads
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Congestion at Highway 97 and Glenmore Road is a major concern in Lake Country.

 

There are no firm answers over traffic woes in Lake Country.

Congestion at Highway 97 and Glenmore Road was front and centre when council met with Transportation Minister Todd Stone at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Victoria Wednesday.

“They are certainly aware of the concerns and issues and we’re told it’s in the program but it’s pretty far down,” said Coun. Owen Dickie.

In the mid-2000s, Lake Country and the ministry looked at the intersection and determined that moving it south of its current location would improving capacity, safety and flow.

On Wednesday, council asked Stone to advance the project and begin construction of the intersection improvement.

However, Dickie admits that discussions will also need to be held with Kelowna and the Okanagan Indian Band, which border the area.

“There are a lot of complexities involved,” he said.

The second item council discussed with Stone was Highway 97 and Oceola Road.

The ministry has been asked to build a pedestrian overpass as it’s dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate the intersection.

“They are trying t cross six lanes of traffic prone to speeding and accidents,” said Dickie.

There were no firm decisions from the ministry as this is the first time Oceola Road has been put before them.

“They will look at that matter more closely,” said Dickie.