Repairs and upgrades on Gellatly Road begin Tuesday

WEST KELOWNA – Five weeks of work will be needed to repair the slope failure that closed Gellatly Road in West Kelowna 2 weeks ago.

Mayor Doug Findlater declared a local state of emergency 10 days later in an effort to get provincial funding to help fix the slope.

And it worked. The province is chipping in over $440,000 for the repairs through the Regional Emergency Program.

The District had already planned to upgrade that section of road next year. It will add $1.3 million to the repair and upgrade.

A culvert will be installed for Smith Creek and fill will be used to stabilize the steep banks on both sides of the creek.

To prevent damage to a sanitary sewer line, the District installed an emergency bypass.

As well, an environment assessment will be done to see if any wildlife in the area needs to be accommodated or relocated.

Gellatly Road between Witt Road and Angus Drive remains closed with a detour along Witt and Carrall Roads. The speed limit is 30 km/h and the RCMP will be patrolling the area to enforce it.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.