First, I’d like to thank each and every one of you that took the time out of your day to meet with us on September 20 to discuss the Highway 5A multi-use pathway. Your collective concern and passion for your neighbourhood was evident and your input is valuable. We acknowledge that this meeting should have been held earlier and we appreciate your participation in our effort to remedy that oversight.

Staff documented your questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions and are adding them to what we have heard through other emails, conversations, and via Let’s Talk. We are dedicated to addressing your concerns and require time to thoroughly investigate options and opportunities.

We acknowledge more questions have come in since the meeting, highlighting concerns with the ongoing construction. We are working to respond accurately but want to provide clarity on next steps.

The project team has reviewed and evaluated the current design location of the multi-use pathway considering residents’ concerns regarding the noise attenuation created by the existing berm. While we acknowledge that this specific benefit of the berm was not initially considered in the design, we have determined that learning this earlier in the project would not have resulted in the multi-use pathway being designed in a different location. The current location provides the best outcomes for the project, including user experience, speed management, use of natural topography, safety, and separation from highway and utilities. Therefore, we can confirm that the location of the multi-use pathway along Highway 5A will not change.

However, in recognition of the information we learned regarding the value of the berm as a sound barrier, we are revisiting the design to adjust the height of the pathway or adjacent land to the pre-construction berm level across the majority of the length in front of Sifton Lane.

The project team are discussing the other concerns residents raised about the pathway—including lighting, pathway maintenance, fire mitigation, and others—and will report back to residents on how the project may address or mitigate these areas. Answers to questions will be posted to the project page, and new questions can be posed there as well.

Artist’s rendering of completed Highway 5A multi-use pathway. Courtesy of Urban Appeal.

Construction will continue on the Sifton Lane Sewer Main Upgrades + Highway 5A Multi-Use Pathway Project while the project team reviews these concerns. Please be considerate of crews working on site and understand they may not have answers to your questions.

Thank you for your time and patience as we work together toward a positive outcome. 

Best Regards,

Dale Hoban
Capital Projects Supervisor
City of Kamloops
250-828-3461
civicoperations@kamloops.ca