Work to open a historic Naramata tunnel that has been closed for 40 years could cost double than originally estimated.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has supported efforts to reopen the more than 109-year-old Adra Tunnel through 2023, however, board members will be asked at their Thursday, Jan. 4 meeting to approve an increase to the contract.

The contract was valued at $150,000 on Oct. 20, after it was awarded to 91大黄鸭-based T&A Rock Works but now the RDOS board will have to decide if it wants to up that contract to $300,000.

Funding for the project has been entirely from private and corporate donations. The Adra Tunnel account currently has a balance of $327,000, according to the RDOS.

鈥淩ock support work (scaling and bolting) is an important step in rehabilitating the tunnel and making it safe for public access,鈥� RDOS staff wrote to the board in an update.

The area is currently an active construction site and located along the KVR Trail about 30 kilometres from Penticton.

Work at the site, as of November 2023, includes the removal of 2,000 cubic metres of rock, 121 of 412 bolts installed, and 42 cubic metres of shotcrete sprayed.

The community network working to reopen the tunnel includes residents and business owners from Penticton and Naramata.

鈥淭he Adra Tunnel has been closed to the public for more than 40 years,鈥� said Mark Pendergraft, RDOS Chair, in December. 鈥淣ow, thanks to private donations, the full potential of the KVR may once again become a reality.鈥�