December 17, 2009

First Phase of the Hillside Drive Extension Now Open

Kamloops, B.C. - Today Mayor Peter Milobar officially opened phase one of the Hillside Drive Extension that connects Summit Drive, at Guerin Creek Estates, to the north end of McGill Road. This extension will help to ease the traffic congestion at one of the city's busiest intersections, McGill Road and Summit Drive.

"This is an exciting day for the City of Kamloops," said Mayor Peter Milobar. "This extension, without a doubt, will improve the traffic flow to and from two of the busiest areas in the City; Thompson Rivers University and the Tournament Capital Centre. An infrastructure project such as this would not be possible if it weren't for our partnerships with Thompson Rivers University and School District 73."

The Hillside Drive Extension project was mainly funded through development cost charges (DCC's) and land sales. Of the $9.6 million, DCC's contributed $7.0 million, $1.35 million came from land sales and ICBC contributed $250,000 towards the project. ICBC contributed this funding in anticipation of a reduction in crashes at the McGill and Summit intersection.

The project is an excellent example of the longstanding, collaborative relationship between the city and the university

The extension project was divided into three separate contracts: the earthworks contract completed in 2008 was awarded to Peter Brothers Construction Ltd.; the road and utilities works contract completed this month was awarded to Con-Ex Civil Contractors Ltd.; and the landscaping works contract is scheduled for the spring of 2010.

Additional work to be completed in 2010 includes the relocation of the existing McGill road composting site, the construction of a truck water fill station, recycle depot, and a parking lot with an additional access point to Kenna Cartwright Park.

Phase one of the Hillside Extension project has been a multi-stakeholder effort by the City of Kamloops, Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and School District 73. With TRU's support, the City was able to save significant costs in the earthworks portion of the project by relocating the position of the roadway. Additional partners who made this project possible are BC Hydro who worked hard to complete their work with limited availability of crews and the demands of the upcoming Olympics, Telus, Shaw Cable and Terasen Gas.

"Not only is this extension a tremendous benefit to the nearly 50 per cent of students, faculty and staff traveling to and from TRU each day," said Christopher Seguin, TRU VP Advancement. "The project is an excellent example of the longstanding, collaborative relationship between the city and the university."

Phase two of the road will continue from the McGill Road intersection west then south and tie into the existing Hillside Drive just south of the current Home Depot location. It is anticipated that phase two will be constructed in approximately 10 to 15 years.

Members of City Council, City staff, representatives from Thompson Rivers University, and contractors involved with the project were in attendance to celebrate the official opening of this major roadway.

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Media Contact:
David Trawin, Director, Development and Engineering Services
City of Kamloops
250-828-3473 dtrawin@kamloops.ca