By Greg Fry

Safety improvements coming to busy Kamloops intersection

Apr 18, 2018 | 10:45 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is getting set to address safety concerns at a busy North Shore intersection.

The city has contracted Eagle Rock Construction to install a smart right turn channel at the intersection of Fortune Drive and Eighth Street, which it says will improve visibilty and safety for drivers and pedestrians.

The work, which will begin the week of April 23, includes:

• installing a right-turn channel
• replacing concrete on the curb, gutters and sidewalks
• installing stamped concrete infill and regular concrete infill
• upgrading traffic lights
• marking pavement and installing signage

“Essentially it’s called a smart channelization. But what it does is it’s a better intersectional angle for traffic merging, making a right turn onto Fortune Drive,” says Capital Projects Manager Darren Crundwell. “So, they’ve got a better sight angle seeing approaching cars and pedestrians.”

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He says work is expected to wrap up by the end of June with most of it taking place during the day, Monday to Friday, with the possibility of some weekend and evening work.

The city says business and pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project and the bus stop north of the intersection will not be affected.

Motorists should beware though, as traffic disruptions are expected along the construction route. The city notes the northbound and westbound curb lanes may be closed between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and the righthand turning lane may be closed for the duration of the project.

A detour route is recommended via Seventh Street and buses will be rerouted down Seventh Street. Truck traffic should continue down Fortune Drive/Tranquille Road, turn right on 12th Street, and continue on to the Halston Avenue onramp.

Crundwell says ICBC is picking up part of the tab, which he estimates is “a few hundred thousand dollars.”