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Concrete sidewalks collapsing due to extreme heat all over Penticton

City public works manager says he’s never seen anything like it
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Extreme heat is causing concrete to pop up and crack or buckle in Penticton. (File photo)

Concrete infrastructure is buckling all over Penticton under this extreme heat.

Fourteen different patches of sidewalks and pavement are popping right now in the city, said Penticton city public works manager Len Robson on Tuesday, June 29.

Robson said he’s never seen anything like this in the 30 years he’s worked here.

“We’ve had a few buckle over the years, when we’ve had extreme heat but nothing like this,” he said. “It’s happening all over the city, down Main, new and old sidewalks, just about everywhere,”

A lot of the downtown is brickwork so it is saved from popping up. But in other areas pedestrians should be careful when walking.

City crews have been adjusting their work schedule due to the heatwave.

“A lot of the crews are starting at 5 a.m. and those that are in equipment have air conditioning,” Robson said.

The City of Vernon has been grappling with the same problem of broken pavement in recent months.

READ MORE: Pavement heaving in Vernon

READ ALSO: Penticton breaks heat records

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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