The City of 琉璃神社 is attempting to combat traffic concerns surrounding a new Costco before the big box store is even built.

City council has approved the allocation of $500,000 from reserves in its 2021 budget to expedite improvements to the Highway 97 and Leckie Road intersection.

鈥淚t鈥檇 be a shame if, on opening day, that intersection was not working that well,鈥� planning manager Ryan Smith told 琉璃神社 city council during a Monday (April 19) meeting.

A traffic impact study showed challenges are already prevalent in the area and would be exacerbated by Costco鈥檚 introduction to the area, a concern residents of the area have long expressed.

鈥淚t was either improve it in the months ahead 鈥� Or be forced to improve it on potentially an even shorter timeline if there were major traffic volume concerns (after Costco opens),鈥� Smith said.

The project is estimated to cost $1.14 million and work could begin before the end of the year. Costco is kicking in $474,000, the city is committing $466,000 and the Ministry of Transportation is providing $200,000. However, if the project doesn鈥檛 happen before March 31, 2022, the province will cut its contribution to $150,000.

The city is looking to recuperate its portion of the cost through 鈥榣atecomer鈥� charges imposed on future developments on a large stretch of the Highway 97 corridor between Spall Road and McCurdy Road. The city said the investment should be recovered in approximately five years.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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