The final phase of paving to support construction of the new tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital takes place Monday and Tuesday.
As a result, there will be significant changes to traffic patterns for people coming to the hospital on those days.
On Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., pedestrian traffic will be re-routed at the front of the main VJH building as paving is completed in the area next to the emergency department.
“Ambulances will continue to be routed to the ED entrance by the flag person, while all other traffic will be diverted through a temporary route in the existing public parking lot,” said Cam McAlpine, with the Interior Health Authority.
“During these hours, approaching traffic will be one-way only and exiting vehicles (with the exception of ambulances) will be diverted around the back of the existing building and out the ring road around the new tower.”
The west entrance drop-off and physician and staff parking will remain in use.
On Tuesday from 8 a.m. until noon, all traffic, including ambulances, will continue to be rerouted at the front of the building for about four hours.
“During this time, all vehicles including ambulances will be exiting around the back of the building and out the ring road,” said McAlpine.
“By Tuesday afternoon, we should have all routes cleared and normal traffic flow will resume.”
These changes have the potential to cause significant congestion around the entrance to the hospital.
“We ask that all staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors please give right-of-way to emergency vehicles, obey all signage and only park in designated areas,” said McAlpine.
