Lorne Street undergoes transformation
In a couple of years, Lorne Street near Riverside Park is going to look very different.
But, before major changes to the road and landscaping around the street begin, a smaller construction project is almost complete.
The city has just finished installing underground BC Hydro and cable lines along Lorne Street between First and Third avenues as part of the overall plan to beautify the area.
Crews are also just finishing work to get the sidewalk back in place.
The project was budgeted at $725,000, with BC Hydro covering $145,000 and the city picking up the rest of the tab.
Though the project resulted in some traffic delays along the street, the real work and ensuing traffic snarl doesn’t start until spring.
Beginning in April, city crews will be ripping up Lorne Street to replace sewer and water mains and, eventually, the road top itself.
The intersection of Lorne and Third will be shut down to build a roundabout, while new landscaping is being installed during the summer.
David Trawin, the city’s director of development and engineering services, noted the city is chipping in about $3 million for the project, which includes the hydro work from this year.
Another large portion of the cost of the roundabout will come from development cost charges to the tune of $800,000, while the Sandman Hotel, which is being built on Lorne Street across from Riverside Park, is contributing $400,000.
“At the end of the day, that area will look very different and a lot nicer than it does now,” Trawin said.
In 2013, the city is planning a complete realignment of the intersection at Lorne Street, Lansdowne Street and First Avenue.
That project is expected to cost another $850,000.i
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