Victoria Street West improvements will get underway on Monday, April 15, starting at the east end of the corridor near 1st Avenue.

The $13-million project will involve utility replacement and undergrounding work; road reconstruction; and improved pedestrian access, lighting, and landscaping.

Construction will take place Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with some additional work at nights and weekends, as needed.

The speed limit through the area will 30 km/hr and there will be single lane of traffic in each direction.

“We’re asking motorists to use the zipper merge when approaching the construction zone,” said Capital Projects Manager Darren Crundwell. “Drivers are encouraged to use both lanes until the point of merge and then to take turns to ease safely and smoothly into the remaining lane.”

“By maximizing the full use of two lanes until the point of merge, congestion can be reduced and help keep traffic flowing.”

There will be access to all businesses throughout the duration of the project, which will take between 18 to 24 months to complete.

Crundwell also says there will be pedestrian access in the area while work in ongoing.

“Every attempt will be made to minimize the impact on businesses, residents, motorists, transit users, and pedestrians during construction, delays and congestion are inevitable and should be expected,” he noted.

“Commuters are encouraged to consider using other modes of transportation, such as carpooling, transit, cycling, or walking, or taking alternate routes.”

The city has installed traffic cameras on Victoria Street West near the Overlanders Bridge and Seymour Street West giving people a glimpse of work that is underway.

Weekly project updates and more will be available at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/VictoriaWest.