By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star
Rather than navigating through narrow residential roads, Coldstream has long been after a better connection to Highway 97.
The College Drive to Kalamalka Road connection, better known as the Grid Road, has actually been on the books since the early 1980s.
But between funding and difficulty obtaining co-operation from Kelowna Pacific Railway, the project has repeatedly been shelved.
Now, Coldstream is optimistic that the Grid Road can finally become a reality, if federal funding is a part of it.
The reason the project is again a priority is because the possibility of an underpass to get around the railway has now been determined as feasible. The previous option was a level crossing, which would require KPR to relocate its shunting yard, at an estimated cost of $3 million. KPR states that would require a detailed study, at Coldstream’s cost, before any commitment could even be considered.
“I believe they would be much more interested in seeing the underpass than the level crossing,” said Michael Stamhuis, director of engineering services.
Therefore a detailed design study on this underpass option is being undertaken.
The project is also being placed as a top priority under the 2009 Federal Budget Infrastructure Works Funding Program.
With the possibility for federal funding, the Grid Road project wouldn’t impact current taxation since Coldstream’s portion could come out of its DCC fund.
The project is estimated to cost in the range of $8.5 million and is aiming for a 2010 completion. If doesn’t receive any grants it won’t go forward.
But Coun. Pat Cochrane sees the timeline as too aggressive.
“It just seems for the scope of the project it’s a tad optimistic.”
He is also worried that the project may be too large for funding.
“It’s a very worthwhile project but I’m a little concerned that it’s perhaps a little too much. If we start to get too greedy we may not get it.”
But with the pressures on Westkal Road that are only going to escalate with time, Coun. Richard Enns is all for giving the Grid Road a try.
“It just seems to me it’s one of those projects we really should be getting going on.”
Rather than navigating through narrow residential roads, Coldstream has long been after a better connection to Highway 97.
The College Drive to Kalamalka Road connection, better known as the Grid Road, has actually been on the books since the early 1980s.
But between funding and difficulty obtaining co-operation from Kelowna Pacific Railway, the project has repeatedly been shelved.
Now, Coldstream is optimistic that the Grid Road can finally become a reality, if federal funding is a part of it.
The reason the project is again a priority is because the possibility of an underpass to get around the railway has now been determined as feasible. The previous option was a level crossing, which would require KPR to relocate its shunting yard, at an estimated cost of $3 million. KPR states that would require a detailed study, at Coldstream’s cost, before any commitment could even be considered.
“I believe they would be much more interested in seeing the underpass than the level crossing,” said Michael Stamhuis, director of engineering services.
Therefore a detailed design study on this underpass option is being undertaken.
The project is also being placed as a top priority under the 2009 Federal Budget Infrastructure Works Funding Program.
With the possibility for federal funding, the Grid Road project wouldn’t impact current taxation since Coldstream’s portion could come out of its DCC fund.
The project is estimated to cost in the range of $8.5 million and is aiming for a 2010 completion. If doesn’t receive any grants it won’t go forward.
But Coun. Pat Cochrane sees the timeline as too aggressive.
“It just seems for the scope of the project it’s a tad optimistic.”
He is also worried that the project may be too large for funding.
“It’s a very worthwhile project but I’m a little concerned that it’s perhaps a little too much. If we start to get too greedy we may not get it.”
But with the pressures on Westkal Road that are only going to escalate with time, Coun. Richard Enns is all for giving the Grid Road a try.
“It just seems to me it’s one of those projects we really should be getting going on.”
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