No. H075/12
For release - June 28, 2012
LAKE COUNTRY, B.C. –The $77.9-million project to construct a new nine-kilometre section of Highway 97 between Winfield and Oyama has reached the halfway mark. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick toured the project today.
Near Oyama, the Gatzke Road Overpass is taking shape, with completion scheduled for this August. At the south end of the project, the walls are being installed for construction of the Wood Lake Overpass.
Two steel pipes that will serve as underpasses for local access to orchards and recreational areas have been placed along the new route. Measures have also been taken to protect bat habitat in an environmentally-sensitive area. To date, over one million cubic metres of rock and soil has been excavated and moved on the site.
Approximately 250 direct jobs will be created over the life of the project, which is on schedule to be finished in summer 2013.
The project is valued at $77.9 million. The project is funded under the Building Canada Fund, with the Government of B.C. contributing $44.3 million and the Government of Canada contributing up to $33.6 million.
Quotes:
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom:
“This new four-lane section of Highway 97 between Winfield and Oyama will benefit all Okanagan Valley residents and businesses. From families taking their kids to the beach or sports tournaments, to commercial drivers transporting their goods safely and efficiently, to visitors exploring the Okanagan’s orchards and wineries, all motorists will enjoy this wider, safer stretch of highway.”
Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan:
“The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in this important project that will improve safety and reduce congestion for communities along Highway 97. Our infrastructure investments are delivering results for the Okanagan Valley, and we will continue to support projects that create local jobs and promote long-term economic growth in the region.”
Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick:
“This will replace the last two-lane section of highway between the Okanagan Connector and Vernon. It will improve safety for Okanagan families who use the highway and will help generate new opportunities in trade and tourism all along the Okanagan corridor.”
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Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250-356-7707
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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