After months of construction and a few delays, 45 Street is scheduled to open within days. Photo by Mathew White.
Residents of Osoyoos can look forward to 45 Street opening in its new location within the next two weeks according to Jim Zakall, director of finance with the Town of Osoyoos.
“It’s a brand new road with sidewalks,” said Zakall. “It’s wider than the old, existing 45 Street at that section [and] it’s a safety improvement for traffic off of Highway 3, which is probably one of the biggest issues.”
Construction on the new 45 Street began back in mid 2011, after the Kneeshaw traffic report suggested the intersection at the old 45 Street and Highway 3 was unsafe due its proximity with the corner further up the road.
As part of the negotiations between the Town of Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Indian Band, a compromise was made to relocate 45 Street roughly one block closer to town, with the Osoyoos Indian Band covering the entire $623,000 pricetag.
Zakall said the reason the construction has taken this long is because they originally had to wait for Telus to relocate telephone lines and are now waiting for FortisBC to hook up the street lamps before the road can be opened.
Zakall said once the road opens it will be safer for everyone and will ensure commuters have continued access to band land.
