By James Peters

North Shore BIA says NDP government might nix Tranquille gateway plan

May 3, 2017 | 2:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association is raising concerns that a major upgrade to North Kamloops infrastructure could be wiped out if the NDP win next week’s election.

As part of a Community Benefit Agreement between Kinder Morgan and the City of Kamloops, the pipeline company will kick in $700,000 to the Tranquille and Airport/Gateway Corridor beautification plan.

But NDP Leader John Horgan says he will fight the TransMountain pipeline expansion project if elected BC premier.

North Shore BIA Executive Director Steven Puhallo says that doesn’t bode well for the Tranquille project.

“There’s $700,000 on the table, which may not seem like a lot, but it is. It would the pedestrian and commuter traffic safety as well as flow, as well as beautify the area when people come in from the airport. That’s totally in jeopardy if you have a new government in power that’s going to play politics with the approval of that project.”

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Puhallo says the project goes further than a simple facelift.

“It will look a lot better. But we’re talking about better sidewalks, a better multi-use path, more pedestrian safety, more commuter safety, a better entry point for people when they first look at this town coming out of the airport. It’s a vital infrastructure piece that’s now in jeopardy if there’s a change in government and they play politics with it.”

Puhallo adds the NSBIA wants the project to go forward for other reasons as well.

“Our merchants across the region are getting ready for over $40 million in workforce spending. The city is going to be out over $2 million in tax revenue going into the future. It’s time to say this project can go. It’s gone through everything it can go through, and we don’t want to see politics get involved in something that’s already been approved.”

(Note: Steven Puhallo sought the nomination for the BC Liberal Party in Kamloops-North Thompson, losing to Peter Milobar in November of 2016.)