Work continues on Shuswap, North Okanagan rail trail

Construction on a rail trail through the Shuswap and North Okanagan will be continuing this fall, to eventually connect Sicamous to Armstrong.

Earlier this week, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) said construction will focus on two sections of the trail.

That includes work on the section between kilometre 0.5 and km 4.5 on the northern end just outside of Sicamous. On the other end of construction, crews were busy working on km 49.15 to 50.4 between Lansdowne Road and the City of Armstrong on the south side of the trail.

According to the CSRD, the northern section of the trail is close to being finished but several sections have been identified for additional surface elevation to improve flood erosion.

Throughout September crews will be working to raise those sections by about 2.5 feet.

Meanwhile, on the south section of the trail, there is a one-kilometre pathway next to the active CN/CP railway spur and Highway 97A from Lansdowne Road in Armstrong adjacent to Pleasant Valley Road

Due to its location, this section requires a new trail surface and the movement of a hydro pole.

Once that work is done, the City of Armstrong will take over and construct an extension to connect the trail into town.

Both the north and south sections will be closed to public access.

The next section of work south of km 4.5 to km 42.6 will begin and continue through 2025.

The CSRD said that will include flood erosion repairs, aggregate surfacing of the rail, pedestrian-friendly notification to rai bridges, road crossings, signage installation and improve trailhead access on each end of the trail.

The regional district said goal is to have the trail open and ready for use by next fall.

Construction started in spring 2023 and the first section between Enderby and Splatsin was completed that December.

When complete, the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail will be a continuous 50-kilometre non-motorized corridor for recreational walking and cycling between Sicamous and Armstrong.