Trail’s main drag will be receiving some polishing touches as the city drives into the second phase of the Victoria Street Corridor project Monday.
But unlike the traffic delays experienced during the now-completed infrastructure improvements, the last scheduled leg of work is expected to have minimal traffic disruption, according to John Howes, city engineering technician.
“Phase 2 focuses on finishing and landscaping and some sidewalk work at the Rossland Avenue intersection,” he said. “Although there will be some traffic disruption, it will be minimal.
“We won’t experience the heavy traffic delays like we did in Phase 1.”
Delays were expected last year during the major component of the project, which involved improvements to the underground infrastructure and changes to the sidewalks and curbing along the entire corridor.
In addition, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure paving project added to the bumper-to-bumper traffic jams as did the un-anticipated closure of Glover Road.
But this will not be the case this time, assured Howes.
Sierra Landscaping from the Okanagan is the prime contractor that will be on site completing various jobs, including irrigation and new growing soil added to the city’s existing beds.
Memorial benches, waste bins and bike racks will also be placed throughout the corridor at the new bump-out locations and near planting areas.
But the major component of this phase will be the installation of new curbing, sidewalks and foundations (mostly done at the Rossland Avenue intersection), which are intended to “improve the walkability and pedestrian safety in this area,” said Howes.
The work from the Rossland Avenue intersection to the Victoria Street Bridge will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, with a completion date set for Aug. 15.
Motorists and pedestrians are asked to take caution when walking or driving through this area and are asked to obey all posted information signage, temporary lane and sidewalk closures, posted speed limits, idle reduction notices and traffic control personnel in the area of construction.
At this time there are no plans for further work but there could be additional structures added like information kiosks or gateway features, which would have to be determined by Trail council in the future.
For further information, contact the City of Trail Engineering Department at 364-0822.