KELOWNA - Great cities have great downtowns and Kelowna continues to experience significant investment in its downtown core. Those improvements also come with some temporary disruption to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Upgrades to the Library Parkade utilities, including water main and water services on Ellis Street, will begin in preparation for the parkade expansion to accommodate new developments and provide more weekend and evening parking.
Beginning Monday, Feb. 23, at 6 a.m. the Ellis Street access lane to the Library Parkade will be closed to motorists so that utilities can be upgraded and relocated.

The Okanagan Regional Library and the Library Parkade will remain open and can be accessed via the Doyle Avenue entrance. Pedestrian access to the library and parking along Ellis Street and Doyle Avenue will also remain available.

A new all-way stop at the intersection of Doyle Avenue and Water Street will be installed to facilitate traffic movement, particularly at peak times.

Beginning March 9 at 6 a.m. Ellis Street will be closed between Doyle Avenue and the north side of the Library Parkade (mid-block from Cawston Avenue) until the second week in April to continue utility upgrades.

Parking for businesses and services north of the Library Parkade, including Interior Health, can be accessed from Cawston Avenue during the road closure.

Construction hours are scheduled Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Work may occur outside of regular construction hours to minimize impacts on businesses and limit construction time. Water service tie-ins and sidewalk excavation will mainly be done between midnight and 6 a.m. to mitigate impact to businesses and pedestrians.

People visiting the area are urged to pay attention to the signs, pedestrian escorts and obey site safety personnel. The City of Kelowna appreciates the patience of residents, businesses and motorists during the construction season.

Visit kelowna.ca/mydowntown to learn more about the projects.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015