Penticton closing road for six weeks to widen bridge for bike lanes
To build the next stretch of the lake-to-lake bike route, drivers in Penticton won’t be able to use part of Atkinson Street for six weeks this summer.
Atkinson Street is the most direct route between many residential neighbourhoods and the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre. The closed-off section will be a bridge between Duncan Avenue and Industrial Avenue.
Although some work has already begun, drivers will be able to use the artery until the bridge will close to traffic beginning on July 18, according to a release from the city.
That date was chosen to correspond with the fish window. Crews will have six weeks to complete milling and concrete work in order to widen the bridge. During the six weeks of construction, the nearest bridges for detours are on Fairford Drive and Main Street.
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Until then, drivers can continue to expect single-lane alternating traffic on Atkinson Street, where on-street parking is no longer permitted between Industrial Avenue and Warren Avenue.
Along the section of Atkinson Street between Duncan Avenue and Industrial Avenue, a storm water management system has already been installed, water mains have been replaced, and there is new concrete and pavement.
Coming soon to the section of Atkinson Street between Duncan Avenue and Industrial Avenue will be a new storm drain, bike lane curbs, signs, finished sidewalks, and line painting. There will also be improved pedestrian crosswalks and better lighting along the entire corridor – from Cherry Lane to Safeway.
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Later in July, work will begin on another stretch of Atkinson Street – between Warren Avenue and Kinney Avenue – and will last until mid-August. There will be repaving, concrete work, new bike lane barriers, stormwater management infrastructure work, lighting upgrades, line painting and new signage.
This year’s construction will conclude after work is completed along Duncan Avenue between Fairview Road and Main Street, which is expected to begin in September. It will result in the signalization of the intersection at Atkinson and Duncan, concrete and electrical work, new storm drain and catch basins, line painting and new signage.
Construction is going according to schedule, the city says, and this phase of the project is expected to be completed on schedule by October. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to on-site signage. A map of current road closures in Penticton can be found here.
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