30th Street Upgrade Begins

Posted on 7/18/2016 6:56 AM by KISS News Staff
The facelift for a section of 30th street in Vernon gets underway today. The road is closed from Highway 6 to 30th Avenue. Vernon's Manager of Infrastructure Management, Mark Dowhaniuk, says the work includes road and underground utility reconstruction, a two-way bike and sidewalk improvements. "The City of Vernon has had this corridor planned to be upgraded for many years now. There will be one lane of parking that will basically be converted to a wider sidewalk as well as a multi-use bike path heading on the east side of the road." It's all part of a bigger plan overall according to Dowhaniuk. "Definitely doing a lot of infrastructure renewal replacing what we have. In these key corridors we're looking to invest our money to also enhance the esthetics as well as the function so people can get around easier in the city." Dowhaniuk, says the city will monitor how the work affects businesses. "The project team actually did a walk through with every business in the area a couple of weeks ago and will be in continuous contact to make sure that the business concerns are addressed during construction." The 2 million dollar project is expected to take until late October. Pedestrians will be allowed through the area but traffic is being detoured during construction.
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https://www.vernon.ca/business/bid-opportunities/bid-results
16-49-ENG 30ST - Rd & Utility Rehab Ph 1 Hwy 6 to 30/29 Ave
CGL Contracting Ltd. $2,083,487.83  Apr 28, 2016 - 
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Current vs Concept images (More)

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The above project is part of TR6 Dcc Project. This is the next phase.

29th/30th Street Transportation Corridor (municipal improvements, phases 1, 2 and 3 completed): realignment to create a continuous north-south internal route (two lanes and multi-use path and a new intersection at 39th Avenue railroad crossing to connect 29th Street to an extended 30th Street;

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https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/adopted_2016-2020_financial_plan.pdf (p.411)

Tender Call - Cancelled

ENG-14-03 TENDER Cancelled - 29th/30th St - 2014 Upgrades Feb-27-2014

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(Original Tender Call) (Original link not valid)
ENG-14-03 TENDER 29/30th St Transportation & Utility Corridor Feb-27-2014

Case made for traffic corridor

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 29, 2013 1:00 AM
Vernon officials insist a third north-south corridor is required to avoid future traffic gridlock. Council has received a staff report urging the continuation of the Polson Greenway along 29th and 30th streets, between Polson Park and 43rd avenue. “It takes 10 to 20 per cent of the traffic off 27th and 32nd streets. It becomes a huge, major spine,” said Rob Dickinson, director of engineering. It’s anticipated the new route, once completed, could handle about 13,000 vehicles a day. “There will be fewer signals on this route compared to 27th and 32nd streets and it will be a shorter commute,” said Dickinson. If the greenway doesn’t proceed, Dickinson is concerned congestion on 27th and 32nd streets will become increasingly challenging. “When you have a route exceeding capacity, you see an increase in accidents and that’s what we’re trying to avoid,” he said. And the status quo could eventually mean the contentious western bypass plan through Mission Hill and Okanagan Landing resurfaces. “If we don’t look at every other option in our city, we will see that $500 million option (bypass) come before us,” said Dickinson. “It’s a significant expense and that expense for this community is unforeseen.” The first phase of the Polson Greenway was completed between 43rd and 48th avenues in 2011. “Those blocks have already seen increased traffic from 1,200 vehicles per day in 2005 to 4,800 vehicles per day in 2012, a fourfold increase,” said Dickinson. There are six more phases projected for the greenway by 2026, with a cost of about $11.2 million. Besides preparing for greater traffic volume, the work replaces underground infrastructure and the existing road surface. “The road condition report completed in January of this year indicates the 29th/30th street corridor is in fair to poor condition,” said Dickinson. The phase moving ahead for 2013 is from 41st to 43rd avenues. It will start in July and run until September.
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Full report at P.67-68 Agenda Package 

City prepares for traffic rush of 2043

Mar 26, 2013 - 12:36 PM By Charlotte Helston Info-Tel Multmedia

Cars jammed up bumper-to-bumper on 27th and 32nd Streets, accidents, curses thrown at the City of Vernon for poor transportation planning—this is exactly what a city engineer wants to avoid thirty years down the road.  Director of engineering and GIS Rob Dickinson presented information to city council on Monday for a transportation corridor aimed at taking traffic off Vernon's two busiest roads. The 29th and 30th Street Transportation Upgrade and Utility Replacement is nothing new—a couple of phases have already been executed to improve road surfaces and underground utilities. But there's more work to be done, and Dickinson says it's essential to stay on top of the project. "With a third corridor on 29th/30th Street, 10-15% of the traffic could be redirected to this new north/south spine and away from 27th and 32nd Streets," Dickinson says. "This equates to 13,000 vehicles per day." Dickinson says projected population statistics suggest 27th and 32nd Streets will exceed capacity in the next 30 years. If nothing is done, he says the roads won't be a pretty picture. "You would see an increase in traffic and an increase in accidents," Dickinson says. The project would progress bit by bit along 29th/30th Streets over the next 13-15 years. Early work suggests the plan is working: a completed section between 43rd and 48th Ave. has translated into a fourfold increase in usage, up from 1,200 vehicles per day in 2005 to 4,800 in 2012. Dickinson says improvements on the road will only attract more drivers. Slow and steady is the way to see the entire project to completion, Dickinson says. "With transportation you can't just bank the money and then spend it, you need to keep the pojects ongoing. We couldn't build it in 2-3 years, so we needed to show council a phasing plan." Funding for work to be done in 2013 was approved during the city's budget meetings, but on Monday Dickinson reminded council the project isn't a one year undertaking—it's a multi-year  construction plan.  Dickinson says collaborative work is being done between the city, the RCMP and ICBC to identify problem areas on the road. "We do see in the not-so-distant future, 15-30 years, too many vehicles for the road, and you would definitely see more accidents. It's very important we stick to this phasing plan."
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Full report at P.67-68 Agenda Package 

Council Highlights Monday March 25

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE  MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013 8:40 AM
  Agenda Package 

• ASSET MANAGEMENT REVENUE PLAN (8:40 am - 9:10 am) (P. 6) Mr. Mark Dowhaniuk, Infrastructure Engineer, Mr. Dan Huang, Urban Systems, Senior Planner, Mr. Michael Tricky, President & CEO of Strategic Infrastructure Management Inc., Mr. Scott Shepherd, and Ms. Catherine Simpson from Urban Systems, re: Presentation of the Asset Management Investment Plan.
• BYLAW DIVISION - STRATEGY (P. 21) Memorandum dated March 20, 2013, from Director of Corporate Services, re: Bylaw Division - Strategy. 

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REGULAR OPEN MEETING OF COUNCIL  MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013 AT 1:30 PM Agenda Package  

• 29 & 30 STREET TRANSPORTATION UPGRADE AND UTILITY REPLACEMENT (P. 67)(Polsen Greenway)
• JAPANESE GARDENS – POLSON PARK (P. 76)THAT the Sister Cities Committee recommends to Council to consider exploring the appropriate process to improve the appearance and maintenance of the Japanese Gardens in Polson Park to suitable standards
• VERNON FIRE RESCUE SERVICE OPERATIONAL MODEL – UPDATE (P. 95)
• THAT Bylaw #5422, “City of Vernon Anti-Idling Bylaw No. 5422, 2013” - a bylaw to regulate the idling of vehicles, be adopted. (P. 157) 
• "Sewer User Rates Bylaw Number 5400, 2013"(p.173)
  

New Name For Polson Greenway

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 07 March 2013 11:33

29th Street construction (Kiss FM file photo)

  A controversial city of Vernon project has a new name. City staff say phase three of the Polson Greenway is now called the 29th Street Utilities Upgrade to better reflect what is actually happening with it About a million dollars has been budgeted to upgrade water and sewer lines from 41st to 43rd Avenue, some of which are 50 years old, while a multi- use path will be added to make it easier for walkers and cyclists to reach Polson Park. Creating another north-south route from Polson Park to the north Vernon, for vehicles, bikers and pedestrians, was the reason the project got its original name Work on the upgrade is expected to start this spring. The earlier phases of the initiative were criticized by businesses on 29th who were upset the road work cost them customers.

Polson Greenway Phase 3 is being renamed

Council Highlights from February 25, 2013

29th Street Utilities Upgrade Project

Click to enlarge

The project formerly known as the Polson Greenway Phase 3 is being renamed to the 29th Street Utilities Upgrade Project to better reflect what is actually happening with it. Water and sewer utilities under the section of road between 43 Avenue and 41 Avenue along 29th Street are about fifty years old and need to be updated. During the upgrade, the City will put in a multi-use path along this section to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to reach Polson Park. The design for the project is complete and will go out to tender at the end of February. 
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Don Quixote Note: Total 2013 Project Budget was $ 1,097,000. The amount to be charged for Sanitary Rehab (Ratepayers) is $264,064 (24.07%).  Transportation DCC's will be be tapped for $391,397 and taxpayers will be assessed the balance or $441,539. The replacement of the water main will cost an additional $170,000 according to the GVSC Water Capital expenditures and will be charged to the water ratepayers.

City Budget Goes Down

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 13 February 2013 06:01
  Vernon council has trimmed $139,000 from this year's budget. Most of the savings come from using reserves instead of getting new funds from taxpayers. Councillor Bob Spiers says it lowers the tax hike about a half point, to 4.1 percent, part of which will be used for infrastructure upgrades. "I have no problems trying to build up money for infrastructure, but then we turned around and used all that money on what I would call Pleasantville projects, therefore I can't support that budget," says Spiers. Spiers is referring to the next phases of the Polson Greenway and downtown revitalization which he would like put off until later. Council has given three readings to its budget bylaw which now carries a 45 dollar increase for the average home, down a few bucks. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says more than 120-thousand in savings came from using reserve accounts. "There were reserves built up for certain reasons, so if you built those up, for example with the RCMP, why not use those for that?" Council also agreed with a Finance Committee recommendation to reduce the combined council meeting pay allotment by $10,000 for 2013. That's used to compensate council members who have to miss work for meetings, but very little of it was used last year. With the changes, the city's tax increase stands at around 4.1 percent, down from the earlier 4.7.

Vernon councillor calling for cost cuts

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 23, 2013 1:00 AM
A Vernon politician hopes his colleagues will reconsider a hike in taxes.  Presently, the city’s 2013 budget calls for a 4.2 per cent tax increase, or an additional $45 for the average household. “I hope it’s not where we end up,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, who would hope the overall figure can be reduced before final adoption of the budget occurs. “I’m not pleased with some of the projects we’re spending money on.” Specifically, Spiers opposes $2 million for 30th Avenue revitalization and $1 million for the Polson Greenway on 29th Street from 41st to 43rd avenues. “They are cosmetic. They are out of time and out of place,” he said. Of the 4.2 per cent tax increase, 2.3 per cent is for general city operations and 1.9 is designated for infrastructure replacement. “It’s necessary because we haven’t had a well thought out plan to deal with aging infrastructure,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. “It’s not a wish list. It’s a must-do list. Earlier maintenance and care saves money in the long run.” Some parking fees will be climbing to bolster revenue but some possible service cuts have been left on the sidelines. Among the programs that will remain are the collection of leaves and prunings. No decision has been made on withdrawing $150,000 in support for O’Keefe Ranch. “There’s a pending core services review. We want to make a decision that’s fully informed,” said Sawatzky of the need for more information. It’s anticipated council will give the budget bylaw three readings Jan. 28 and then a public input session will be held Feb. 8. The budget could be adopted Feb. 22 but Sawatzky admits the tax increase could still change. “There is always interest within council in trying to reduce it and it is the purview of council to meet and discuss it,” he said.

4.8% Tax Hike Discussed By Council

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 16 January 2013 15:40
  Several members of Vernon council support tax increases to upgrade the city's aging infrastructure. At the first of three special budget meetings at City Hall today, city staff recommended council raise taxes three percent, to build up funds for road and sewer projects. Another option is for a 1.9% hike for infrastructure. When you add other proposed spending increases, this year's tax hike could be 4.8 percent, which translates to an estimated $55 for the average homeowner. Councillor Brian Quiring doesn't think that's excessive. "We've inherited a tough situation here with the lack ofconsideration for our infrastructure, and we need to stop the bleeding. At 55 dollars a year, I think it's money well spent," Quiring told Kiss FM. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says he's also leaning toward a 3% infrastructure increase. "I think we probably need to follow the recommendation of our engineering staff. We could go with the lower percentage, but that leaves us at risk in other areas. We could have catastrophic events. W can have fires that we have not planned for, like the fire last summer at the Rise. That could have been a financial disaster for the city. We can always reduce taxes in the future." Councillor Bob Spiers --who has pushed for tax decreases in past years -- says he's keeping an open mind this time. "It's a matter of whether we are going to start out with either a 1.9% or 3% tax increase each and every year for the next ten years. It's a decision I don't think should be even contemplated until we end this budget discussion," Spiers told Kiss FM. Spiers is upset council isn't putting off what he calls "cosmetic projects" like the 2 million dollar 30th Avenue revitalization, and the Polson Greenway. "The ones that don't need to be done at this time, or even within the next ten years." Council members and city staff will hold an all day budget meeting Thursday, and from 9 to 12 on Friday, all open to the public. There was no public input on the first day.
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 Don Quixote Note:
$871,854 in  net CITY OF VERNON CHANGE REQUESTS(p.344-346).

• 2013-2017 Proposed Financial Plan - 28 MB

If all change requests that are required to be funded from taxation and change credits totaling approx $250,000 are accepted then the $871,854 will add another 3.54% to the tax revenue increase.

If the $250,000 in service reductions are not accepted then you can add another 1% to the tax increase.

Polson Greenway given the nod by Vernon council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 16, 2013 12:00 PM

A contentious project continues to move ahead. Vernon council gave early 2013 budget approval Wednesday to the second phase of the Polson Greenway on 29th Street from 41st to 43rd avenues. The price tag is $1 million. "I've had letters from people who want to use this pathway to get to the mall or downtown," said Coun. Mary-Jo O'Keefe. The first phase went from 43rd to 48th avenues and it drew widespread opposition from merchants along the route. Beyond replacing underground works and road resurfacing, the second phase will include sidewalks and bicycle lanes. "The 29th Street project s totally motivated by reducing traffic on 27th and 32nd streets," said Rob Dickinson, engineering services manager. The Polson Greenway has been described as the city's highest priority when it comes to managing traffic. "We had a plan in 2008 and we owe it to the community to finish the project. We need a north-south connector," said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, some doubts have surfaced about the plan as a result of the first phase. "I haven't seen a dramatic increase in traffic on 29th Street and there's maybe been less," said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. "I don't see a lot of people walking and riding bikes." Coun. Bob Spiers raised his hand in opposition to the second phase. "This is not a required project in this day and age. This is a cosmetic program," he said. Council will continue to discuss the 2013 budget Thursday and Friday.

Greenway Timeline May Be Stetched

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM  Thursday, 12 January 2012 13:22

Stranks says in a report, "Changing the previously proposed next phase of works from 30th Street between 25th Avenue and 32nd Avenue would significantly reduce the cost of construction for 2012. This phase has a significant cost, resulting from the additional effort required when working in a commercial business area. By changing the proposed location of the works and reducing the scope from seven blocks to two blocks, the costs for the next phase would be significantly reduced." The first two phases between 43rd and 48th Avenues on 29th Street were completed for 3.3 million dollars, but some merchants complained about the impact of the construction on their business, including at least one store that shut down.  The next phase is set for 29th Street between 41st and 43rd avenues this year, but that could be changed to reduce costs.  City staff are asking council to extend Vernon's Polson Greenway Project, from five years to nine. The phased initiative is creating a new green transportation link from Polson Park to the north end of the city, adding biking and walking lanes. Engineering Development Manager Ed Stranks says due to the global downturn and the local impact of that, the city's development cost charge reserves have diminished over the last few years, adding it will take eight years to fund the project to completion. "By increasing the five year plan for completion to nine years or longer, the city will be able to continue the project and not adversely impact other annual significant capital project demands."

Another Satisfied Resident of 29th ST.

From May 16th Morning Star:  (A Great Place for Take Out Meals)

City Greenway Approved

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 13 April 2010 107.5 KISSFM:
The Polson Greenway has got the green light from Vernon council. The elected reps are supporting the project that will become a north-south connector route for walking, biking and driving through the city between Polson Park and the Village Green Mall. Councillor Bob Spiers supports the initiative but not to committing to one phase each year, until its done. "I just object to the idea of tying ourselves into a process by which each year you do one phase and it's sort of a guarantee."Spiers says there may be other projects that should get more priority in future budgets.

This year's $1.2 million first phase is on 29th Street between 43rd and 46th avenues. Councillor Patrick Nicol was able to support the plan after hearing from staff that merchant concerns about losing parking spaces have been addressed. "There's a number of them that were deeply concerned about the loss of parking in a light industrial area that's been there for decades. I appreciate that we have gone and listened carefully and it appears this is a much better solution that the one we originally started for." Ed Stranks, the city's manager of engineering development, told council most businesses they've spoken with are supporting the project. He says the revised plan won't remove any parking but it will push it onto some businesses property.

The second phase in 2011 will be on 29 Street from 46-48 avenues, followed by 29 Street from 25-32 aves in 2012, and then 30 Street from 32-39 aves in 2013.