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City of Revelstoke responds to Gateway Inn lawsuit

The City of Revelstoke says the new roundabout will “not adversely affect” the Gateway Inn.
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The roundabout at Victoria Road and Wright Street is supposed to be finished on Wednesday

The City of Revelstoke says the new roundabout will “not adversely affect” the owner of a hotel who is suing the city over the project.

William Zhao, the owner of the Gateway Inn, sued the city in August, claiming the roundabout at Wright Street and Victoria Road would hurt his business by closing off the access to his property from Victoria Road.

The city filed its response to the claim last month, writing the roundabout is “an integral part” of the highway intersection project and is critical to improving traffic flows and increasing road safety for vehicles exiting and entering the city to and from the Trans-Canada Highway.

The city said the project wouldn’t impede the primary access to the Gateway Inn, and that the secondary access from Victoria Road could not feasibly be maintained.

The city claims it took all necessary steps to not impact the motel during and after construction, and that the roundabout will result in “minimal inconvenience” to vehicles trying to access the hotel. It also claims the highway intersection project will direct more traffic in sight of the hotel.

The Gateway Inn filed an application in court to stop construction, but it was dismissed by a B.C. Supreme Court judge.

Zhao has asked for compensation for alleged loss of business and decline in property value.

The lawsuit has yet to go to trial.