A small but commonly used bridge in West Kelowna is about to close for three months.

The Gellatly Road Bridge over Powers Creek will be shut down to traffic on Thursday morning as crews begin an “essential infrastructure project.”

Photo Credit: Google Maps

“The temporary closure will allow the city’s contractor to safely remove and replace the bridge, which has reached the end of its lifespan,” says a statement from the City of West Kelowna. 

“Work includes installing added sidewalk on the upstream side, improving bike lanes and building a new higher bridge structure and asphalt road profile.”

In addition, Rotary Trails Park and its parking lot will be closed to provide a construction staging area.

The layout of the area will force any vehicles looking to get from one side of Powers Creek to the other to travel all the way up to Hwy 97.

The new bridge is expected to open in April.