Regional Director Allan Patton says any land taken for use in the Passing Lanes Project – north of Oliver – must be given back to the public trust in some form.

Patton is referring to Kettle Valley Railway – right of way west of the highway beneath McIntrye Bluff. A pathway has never been built or used by the public but it is in the planning stages in the RDOS Trails Master Plan.

Area C Director Patton says he used yesterday’s official opening ceremony to talk to Ministry of Transportation staff and MLA Linda Larson.

In the Osoyoos passing lane project – Ministry staff and contractors installed a protected pathway east of the highway which allows  hikers and cyclists to travel in a safe manner well away from a busy highway. Patton says he is not asking for that but wants the crown/private land acquired or granted for the future. He says RDOS staff have to do some leg work on getting a proper survey of the area but he insist this is a “high” priority item in the public interest.