Adra Tunnel entrance
Image Credit: Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen
December 05, 2023 - 4:30 PM
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is directing efforts toward the reopening the historic Adra Tunnel on the Kettle Valley rail trail near Naramata.
The project to reopen the Adra Tunnel was initiated by Woodwackers 2.0, a diverse community network that has been advocating and working towards reopening this tunnel, according to a regional district media release. The regional district has also been working with Recreation Sites and Trail BC and contractors to reopen the Tunnel.
“The reopening of the Adra Tunnel will enhance tourism in the region and become a destination for people of all ages,” Adrienne Fedrigo, Electoral Area “E” director, said in the release. “This important restoration project is the result of a strong community vision and financial contributions from a wide cross-section of the community.”
With the province’s approval, the project has been able to move past the engineering assessments that determined the feasibility of the project including the physical rock bolting and shotcrete work needed to stabilize the structure.
As of now, more than 2,000 cubic metres of rocks have been removed, 121 of the 412 bolts needed have been installed and 42 cubic metres of shotcrete have been sprayed. This represents 365 metres of the tunnel having been secured with 121 metres left to secure.
“The Adra Tunnel has been closed to the public for more than 40 years,” Mark Pendergraft, Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen chair, said in the release. “Now, thanks to private donations, the full potential of the (Kettle Valley rail trail) may once again become a reality.”
The tunnel is about 486 metres long and was built 109 years ago. It connects Kelowna and Penticton and would allow cyclists to go from one town to the other in 90 minutes.
There’s a remaining $300,000 needed to bring the project to termination. So far, the project has largely relied on donations with a total of $318,400 having been acquired thus far.
Check out the project's website here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Gabrielle Adams or call (438) 830-1211 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2023