Initial work underway for construction of the Okanagan Rail Trail

Construction of the Okanagan Rail Trail begins this fall.

“Crews have already begun working along the trail to get it ready for construction,” said Andrew Gibbs, Interjurisdictional Development Team Project Manager in a news release.

It’s anticipated about 26 kilometres of compacted, crushed aggregate will be laid down by next spring.

That encompasses 12 kilometres in the north Okanagan, five kilometres in Lake Country and nine kilometres in Kelowna.

“Initial construction work is focused on environmental and archeological protection, mitigating potential geotechnical hazards and drainage improvements,” said Gibbs.

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Depending on funding, it’s possible the remaining sections of the 48.5 kilometre recreational trail could be completed by late next year or early 2019.

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Excluded from that is a 2.4 kilometre stretch that runs through Okanagan Indian Band reserve near Duck Lake.

It won’t be developed until the federal government transfers ownership of the land to the band.

There are three upcoming information sessions where the public can learn more about the project.

Tuesday, October 3
4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Coldstream Municipal Hall, 9901 Kalamalka Rd.

Wednesday, October 4
4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Community Complex at GESS, 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Rd
Lake Country

Thursday, October 5
4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way
Kelowna

The rail corridor was purchased from CN Rail with provincial and local government funding of $22 million.

READ MORE: Okanagan Rail Trail fundraising gets big boost

A public fundraising campaign continues to help develop the trail from Kelowna to Coldstream.