Work crews will take a break from the Victoria Street West improvement project in Kamloops from Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, until Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Extreme Excavating

Some good news for commuters slowed by the huge construction zone on Victoria Street West in downtown Kamloops.

Construction crews will be taking a break from their regular operations on the Victoria Street West Improvement Projects starting tomorrow, Dec. 20, according to a City of Kamloops media release. The speed limit will pick back up to 50 km/h until crews return to work on Jan. 6.

Starting tomorrow as well, the crosswalk in front of Sun Life Financial will be shut down. The City says motorists might be unaware of pedestrians crossing without crosswalk lights in place. The crosswalk will re-open next spring once the crosswalk lights are installed.

The crosswalk near the Mustard Seed is going to remain operational during the winter season. Sidewalks on both sides of the four-lane roadway are fully accessible to pedestrians, and there are permanent inbound and outbound bus stops at Budget Brake and Muffler and Spoke N’ Motion, respectively.

When crews return to work on Jan. 6 there will be 30 km/h speed signs placed only in active work areas. They will finish remaining work such as installing sidewalk panels, putting up the crosswalk lights at Sun Life Financial, landscaping and removing hydro poles.

“We want to thank the Victoria Street West business owners and residents who have lived through months of construction and the many motorists, pedestrians, and transit users who have travelled through the corridor daily for their patience throughout this project,” said Darren Crundwell, the City’s capital projects manager. “We know it’s been a long haul for these folks. Next year should be less impactful as work will primarily be focused outside of the roadway and driveways.”

For more information and updates on the project, check out the city’s Let’s Talk webpage here.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2019