Repairs to the Westside Road overpass retaining walls are substantially complete and the interchange will reopen to traffic on Monday in time for the morning commute.

Repair work included removal of the finishing panels under the abutments on both walls, placement of reinforced concrete facing, replacement of the panel connections and the resupply and installation of new facia panels. The quality of the repairs has been verified by professional structural engineers.

On Monday morning, the overpass and ramps will be open to traffic and the temporary intersection at Nancee Way will be closed. Traffic control personnel will be on site following the reopening to assist with the redirection of traffic and closure of the temporary intersection.

Minor construction activities will continue on the walls for the next few weeks. Motorists are reminded that construction speed zones remain in effect throughout the project site until project completion.

The overall value of the Westside Road Interchange project is $41 million, with funding from the provincial and federal governments. British Columbia is investing $30 million, with a federal contribution of $11 million from the Building Canada Fund. The project is being delivered by the Westbank First Nation.

As construction continues, DriveBC will have details of traffic pattern changes at: www.drivebc.ca

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom:

"On behalf of ministry staff, I thank area residents, as well as other users of the highway, for being patient throughout the repair process. With these repairs wrapping up, we look forward to the remainder of the project moving ahead and finishing later this year."

Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie:

"Now that the repair work to the overpass structure has been substantially completed, we are able to concentrate our efforts on the remaining phase of the project. On behalf of the Westbank First Nation and our contractor, Ledcor CMI, I would like to extend our thanks to motorists and residents for their patience and understanding while the repairs were completed as well as our sincere appreciation to the flaggers who have worked so hard to ensure that traffic moved safely through the construction site."

Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart:

"I know this was an inconvenience for local travellers, but thanks to around-the-clock work from flaggers and Ledcor workers who persevered in all weather, the interchange was reopened as quickly as possible."

Learn More:

Details on the Westside Road Interchange Project are available online at: http://www.westsideroadinterchange.ca/

Learn more about the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at: www.tranbc.ca

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

Evelyn Lube
Project Communications
Westside Road Interchange
250 864-7395