Construction at Columbia Street and Sixth Avenue.

(DANA REYNOLDS / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS – This upcoming week marks some big road construction challenges for commuters in Kamloops, especially as it pertains to the Overlanders Bridge.

Starting Monday, July 27, the west off ramp at the south end of the bridge will be closed for roughly three weeks. During the closure, detour signage will direct all southbound traffic to Seymour Street.

Heavy trucks should avoid the Overlanders Bridge, but if necessary those traveling southbound will be detoured to the Trans Canada Highway via Seymour Street and are not permitted access to First Avenue off Seymour Street.

The westbound curb lane of Columbia Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue will be temporarily closed to allow a dedicated right turn onto Columbia Street from First Avenue.

There are still only two travel lanes on the bridge deck; one in each direction. Drivers are reminded of the 30 km/hr posted speed through the construction zone.

Both the Fortune Drive sidewalk and the pedestrian ramp connecting Fortune Drive to Tranquille Road remain closed to pedestrians.

Phase Two of the Columbia Street Widening project will start Sunday, July 19. This work will focus mainly on the two center lanes between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Traffic is still restricted to one lane in each direction.

All driveway accesses on Columbia Street between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue will become permanently restricted to right in, right out meaning turning movements of vehicles are restricted.

Hydro will be working on the south side of Columbia Street at Fourth Avenue from Sunday, July 19 to Friday, July 24 with night hours in effect. During this week, Ponderosa may be accessed by Fifth Avenue due to intermittent closures.

The south sidewalk between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue remains closed. Pedestrians are advised to use the north sidewalk and the crosswalks at Fourth and Third Avenue to access the south side businesses and hospital.

On Twelfth Street, there will be intermittent, rolling closures between Tranquille Road and Lethbridge Avenue with detours in effect.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 4:34 p.m., July 20, 2015, with a new date of closure for the off ramp.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015