South Okanagan residents are asking for provincial help to deal with recurring traffic problems on Highway 97.
On March 31, during road construction between Penticton and Summerland, motorists encountered traffic backups and stoppages as a result of the road work.
In the morning, motorists travelling from Summerland to Penticton were advising each other to leave 70 to 90 minutes early because of the slowdown.
Later in the day, some motorists said traffic was backed up from the construction area near Sage Mesa Drive to the Trout Creek neighbourhood in Summerland.
In a letter to Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee, Tim Keilty of Summerland said numerous traffic issues along the highway have had an effect on the region.
鈥淲hy on earth could the government not have compelled the contractor to perform the current roadwork being undertaken during the night when the highway is not heavily used,鈥� he asked in his letter.
鈥淥ne has only to weigh the economic impact, loss of human productivity, and damage to the environment 鈥� to name just a few 鈥� against whatever little cost difference there would be to do this work at night to realize that it makes absolutely no sense to conduct this work during the daytime hours.鈥�
In response, Boultbee said she is working to address these concerns with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
鈥淲e have reached out to the transport minister for an urgent meeting to discuss this important issue affecting residents of the South Okanagan,鈥� she said.
The present road work project on Highway 97 just north of Penticton is near a pump station for the Sage Mesa water system. The work began on March 17 and is scheduled to end on April 4.
Lane closures and delays were in place during this project.
The portion of Highway 97 from 麻豆精选 to Penticton has had numerous issues.
Following a rock slide on Aug. 28, 2023, and throughout 2024, there were numerous road closures north of Summerland and crews have worked on stabilization measures in the area.
This area has been the site of previous slides, in 2008, 2014 and 2019. Each of these resulted in lengthy detours and extensive delays.
In addition, a slide at the bottom of Summerland Hill, just south of the main entrances to the community, occurred in 2023 and resulted in traffic detours while crews cleaned up the slide and stabilized the slope.
Summerland mayor Doug Holmes and mayors of other Okanagan communities have called for an alternate route.
鈥淚t鈥檚 our lifeline. We鈥檙e so dependent on it for everything,鈥� Holmes said in 2024.
In January 2025, Conservative MLAs called on the province to take action to address the frequent issues plaguing this highway.
鈥淗ighway 97 is a lifeline for the Okanagan region, carrying over 20,000 vehicles daily,鈥� said Banghu, MLA for Langley-Abbotsford and the Conservative shadow minister of transportation.
鈥淭he residents of the Okanagan are tired of constant disruptions,鈥� said Macklin McCall, MLA for West 麻豆精选-Peachland and shadow minister for emergency management. 鈥淲ith the right leadership, we can ensure Highway 97 is safe and reliable for generations to come.鈥�
During some of the past slides, the 201 Forest Service Road was used as an alternate route. However, the Penticton and District Search and Rescue has advised motorists not to use this route.
鈥淭hese roadways are not maintained and require special recovery gear on hand should your vehicle become stuck,鈥� Penticton and District Search and Rescue said in a recent statement.
