The federal government has kicked in $2.9 million to help build a bridge across the southern part of the Okanagan River channel at Penticton.

The Penticton Indian Band plans for the construction of a new bridge over the Okanagan River at Green Avenue West in 2015.

The Satikw Crossing will provide access from Highway 97 to the Channel Lands and is part of a long term economic strategy that will create up to $2 million in annual revenue for the Band and over 600 jobs in the next 10 years.

The strategy also includes future development plans of retail space, 270,000 square feet of business/light commercial space, and a 150 room hotel.

The project is expected to be tendered by November 2014.

Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger could not comment on how much the PIB has contributed to the project before it is put to tender.

No firm price or estimate for all the work necessary has been announced.

“It means a lot. We’ve been talking about making a bridge for years and it’s finally coming to reality,” said Kruger. “A lot of traffic is going to West Kelowna and Kelowna because we don’t have a lot of that shopping.”