The City of Kamloops is pushing ahead with the long-planned Qu’Appelle Boulevard Extension Project, a major safety and transportation upgrade that will create a second permanent road connection for the Juniper Ridge neighbourhood by 2027.
Work on the project follows lessons learned from the 2021 interface wildfire, when Juniper Ridge residents faced significant delays evacuating via the neighbourhood’s single access point. The new 1.1-kilometre extension will link the west end of Qu’Appelle Boulevard to Rose Hill Road, offering a reliable alternate route for both daily travel and emergency situations.
City council approved a significant milestone in early November, adopting the Qu’Appelle Boulevard Extension Development Works Agreement Bylaw No. 47-101, 2025. The bylaw authorizes a development works agreement to fund construction of the new roadway across both public lands and property owned by Juniper West Developments Ltd.
The City will initially finance the project through short-term borrowing and development cost charges, with eligible costs recovered from the landowner.
What the new corridor will include
Once complete, the extension will feature:
- two paved travel lanes
- a multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists
- new streetlighting
- stormwater infrastructure
- space for third-party utilities
Vegetation clearing and route alignment began this fall to avoid the region’s active bird-nesting window. Major earthworks are planned throughout 2026, with the full corridor expected to open in 2027.
Environmental protection central to project
Because the extension runs through dense vegetation and a highly active wildlife area, the City has developed a detailed Environmental Management Plan to guide construction. The plan outlines measures to reduce potential impacts on the environment, protect native vegetation and bird habitat, and minimize erosion and sedimentation as earthworks progress.
Following construction, all disturbed soils—including cut areas and embankment slopes—will be reshaped, raked, and restored to support new plant growth. The City says these site restoration efforts are designed to encourage natural regeneration and ensure long-term environmental stability.
Next steps
After the Qu’Appelle extension is complete, the City plans to move forward with upgrades to Rose Hill Road to better serve all road users. More information will be released as planning continues.
Residents can follow project updates, FAQs, maps, and restoration plans at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/QuAppelle.
