Central Okanagan Bypass

[DuaneT]

A $3,358,814 contract was awarded to Greenleaf Enterprises Ltd. by City Council for the construction of the first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass. Construction will include connecting High Road to the Gordon and Clement intersection, widening Clement Avenue to four lanes from Ethel Street to High Road and reconstructing the railway crossings. Work is expected to begin in July and be complete by the end of November 2005.

[sebastianandwisla]

I heard about this a few months ago. Great idea. It will really relieve traffic on the highway. I only have one concern, that business' might lose money to people who could've gone through using the highway.

Also where would the crossing be?

[DuaneT]

First part of the Central Okanagan Bypass.


Construction Begins on Gordon/Clement/High Intersection Improvements
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News Release
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CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON GORDON/CLEMENT/HIGH INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

Construction will begin on the intersection improvements to Gordon Drive, Clement Avenue and High Road on Wednesday July 27th, 2005.

The first phase of work will involve the closure of Gordon between High and Clement. Traffic heading west on High will detour onto Coronation Avenue and Graham Street to access Clement Avenue. Traffic heading east on Clement will detour onto Ethel Street and Cawston Avenue to access Gordon Drive.

Traffic heading north on Gordon will still be able to turn right onto High, however a temporary three way stop will exist at the Gordon and Cawston intersection.

Westbound transit route #7 will be detoured from High onto Coronation, Graham and Cawston. Eastbound transit route #7 will be detoured from Clement Avenue onto Ethel, Cawston and Gordon.

The truck route on Gordon Drive will be closed between Bernard Avenue and Clement. East and westbound trucks should use Ethel and Ellis Street via Bernard and Clement.

Once complete, High will be re-aligned to connect with Clement at Gordon. The T intersection that currently exists at Clement and Gordon will become a four way intersection. In addition, Clement between Ethel and Gordon will be widened to four travel lanes as will the new section of High, east of Gordon, before transitioning back to two lanes near Cerise Drive.

The project will also involve extensive railway re-alignment that will result in three new gated and signalized crossings.

These road improvements represent the first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass (previously known as the North End Connector). Following the work this year, plans call for construction of the Central Okanagan Bypass to Spall Road in 2006. The section from Spall Road to Highway 33 will be completed within the next five to seven years, and the section from Highway 33 to McCurdy Road by 2020.

The construction contract was awarded to O.K. Excavating for approximately $3.36 million. Urban Systems Ltd. is the Contract Administrator.

Substantial completion of the project is expected in November 2005.

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[DuaneT]

Update: Central Okanagan Bypass Opening
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Jan. 20, 2006
The first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass, between Cerise and Gordon Drives, is expected to open in early February.
"Construction has taken longer than anticipated due to the complexity of the new intersection at Gordon, Clement and High," says Forrest Klotzbach, Roadways Engineer for the City of Kelowna. "CN recently signed off on the railway signal design which ensures the safety of the reconstructed railway crossings and new railway signals. The City's signal contractor must now ensure the signals are fully operational before the new road can be opened."

High Road traffic wishing to access Clement Avenue can continue to use the existing Gordon Drive intersection with its three way stop until the Central Okanagan Bypass officially opens.

The road improvements are taking place in order to re-align High to connect with Clement at Gordon. The T-intersection that existed at Clement and Gordon will become a four way, signalized intersection. In addition, the new section of High east of Gordon will be four travel lanes before transitioning back to two lanes near Cerise Drive. As part of this project Clement Avenue, between Ethel Street and Gordon Drive, was widened to four travel lanes. The project also involved extensive railway re-alignment that has resulted in three new gated and signalized crossings.

The road improvements represent the first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass. In 2006 plans call for construction of the Central Okanagan Bypass to Spall Road. The section from Spall Road to Highway 33 will be completed within the next five to seven years, and the section from Highway 33 to McCurdy Road by 2020.

[DuaneT]

Phase One Central Okanagan Bypass Opens Today
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Feb. 07, 2006
The first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass, between Cerise and Gordon Drives, will be open to the public this afternoon Tuesday February 7th.
The road work was implemented in order to re-align High Road to connect with Clement at Gordon. The T-intersection that previously existed at Clement and Gordon is now a four way, signalized intersection.

The new section of roadway east of Gordon Drive is four travel lanes, transitioning back to two lanes near Cerise Drive. Clement Avenue, between Ethel Street and Gordon Drive, has also been widened to four travel lanes as part of this project.

In addition, the project involved extensive railway re-alignment that has resulted in three new gated and signalized crossings. "Extensive testing of the new railway signals has now proven everything is operating properly," says Ron Westlake, Transportation Manager, "so we can now ensure the safety of the reconstructed railway crossings and open the new section of roadway to the public."

The road improvements represent the first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass which will eventually extend to McCurdy Road. Later this year, plans call for further construction of the Bypass to Spall Road. The section from Spall Road to Highway 33 is likely to be completed within the next five to seven years, and the section from Highway 33 to McCurdy Road by 2020.

[DuaneT]

I am glad to see the opening of the first part of the Central Okanagan bypass being open, and to see that the extension will be continued to Spall Rd. However, we need to look at continuing to build the bypass to Hwy 33 as soon as possible and not wait the 5-7 years that is being suggested. This past Christmas Council member Norm Letnick suggested that the City of Kelowna maybe look at getting a loan to finish the bypass to McCurdy Rd. Well, I don’t think we need to go that far right now but we should seriously be looking at building to Hwy 33. This would definitely decrease the amount of traffic currently being funnel down Enterprise Rd. It would also create a more direct route from Rutland to the downtown area.

[DuaneT]

Gordon Drive to Spall Road

This project involves construction of a new four lane arterial roadway from Gordon Drive to Spall Road as part of the continuing construction of the Central Okanagan Bypass (formerly known as the North End Connector). Between Gordon Drive and Spall Road, the existing High Road alignment will be used in some locations. A new section of roadway will need to be constructed to tie in directly to the Clement/Gordon intersection, and to run along the north side of the railroad tracks. The new four-lane roadway would travel underneath the bridge on Bernard Avenue near the Apple Bowl before intersecting with Spall Road.

Construction: June through the end of the year
Contractor: To be determined
Cost: $9 Million
Traffic Impact: traffic delays expected on High Road west of Gordon as we widen to four lanes
Contact: Forrest Klotzbach




The Central Okanagan Bypass has been part of the City's Major Road Network Plan since the 1970s and as such is part of the City’s Official Community Plan.

As the city and surrounding regions grow, the Central Okanagan Bypass will help to alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 97. Envisioned as an express route or bypass of the commercial areas along Highway 97, there will be no direct access between intersections.

The first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass, between Ellis Street and Spall Road was completed last year. Running along the existing Clement Avenue from Ellis Street to Gordon Drive, Clement Avenue was upgraded at intersections and along the frontage of new development.


Further phases of the Central Okanagan Bypass are expected to be in place within the next 20 years, which will extend from Spall Road to McCurdy Road. Spall Road to Highway 33 will be completed in the next five to seven years, and the section from Highway 33 to McCurdy Road by 2020.


The alignment will be just north of the existing railway tracks to a point west of Highway 33; the road will then follow the toe of Dilworth Mountain to McCurdy Rd.

[Guest]

I'm trying to picture this on a map, but am having a very difficult time in doing so. Can someone please map the new bypass out on a current Kelowna map to show us what it will look like when it is complete?

Thanks

[Administrator]

Here you go...



www.city.kelowna.bc.ca/CM/Page432.aspx

[DuaneT]

Traffic Pattern Change Central Okanagan Bypass
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Oct. 06, 2006
On Tuesday, October 10 traffic on the Central Okanagan Bypass (COB) east of Gordon Drive will switch to the newly-constructed lanes on the south side of the roadway. The switch-over from the northern lanes will occur at 9:00 a.m. As construction workers adjust the lane setup, motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution and observe the posted construction speed limit.
Work will continue on the northern lanes to bring the road up to the new grade and to complete storm sewer installation. Paving and line painting will continue through mid-November.

The $8.4 million contract with Hayter Construction Ltd. includes the creation of a new four-lane section of the COB that will run parallel to the railway tracks out to a new intersection at Spall Road.

A complete road closure is anticipated at Spall Road, between Enterprise Way and Bernard Avenue, from Friday October 13 at 6:30 p.m. until Monday October 16 at 6:00 a.m. for installation of signal conduit and railway work. A traffic advisory affecting this area will be issued closer to the closure.

These road improvements constitute the first phase of the COB which will eventually extend to McCurdy Road. The section from Spall to McCurdy Roads is currently in the design stage.

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[DuaneT]

SPALL ROAD CLOSURE BETWEEN ENTERPRISE WAY AND BERNARD
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Oct. 10, 2006
News Release
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Spall Road, between Enterprise Way and Bernard Avenue, will be closed entirely to vehicular traffic from Friday October 13 at 6:30 p.m. to Monday October 16 at 6:00 a.m. The closure is necessary to accommodate installation of traffic signal conduit and upgrades to the current railway crossing surface.
Detours will be clearly marked and publicized. Traffic personnel will be onsite directing motorists via Bernard Avenue and Burtch Road, however motorists are asked to plan alternate routes and to leave a few minutes early to arrive at their destination on time.

Access to Mill Creek Estates and the City parking lot area (adjacent to the Apple Bowl) will be retained for local residents and people using recreational facilities at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. Access will be from the south only. The construction zone will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.

These road improvements are associated with the first phase of the Central Okanagan Bypass which is under construction between Gordon Drive and Spall Road. The COB will eventually extend to McCurdy Road; the section from Spall to McCurdy is currently in the design stage.

[jared]

Personally, i agree with Duanes earlier comment and think that continuing the COB right through to McCurdy as soon as possible would not be a bad decision on the citys part if they could swing it. It would sure alleviate the usual standstill/snailspace on enterprise during many parts of the day, not to mention HWY 97. What are construction prices gonna look like 5-7 years from now i wonder as well.... might save some of our tax dollars just getting it done sooner than later, even if a loan is necessary.

[DuaneT]

Here is some updated information on the Central Okanagan Bypass. Click on the link to view it. www.kelowna.ca/CM/Page432.aspx

They have information about the Clement Avenue Rails with Trails.