Work is complete on the Highway 97 six-laning project, which widened the road from Highway 33 to Edwards Road, and improved intersections at Leathead, McCurdy, Findlay/Hollywood, and Sexsmith Roads.
This also involved creating a new roundabout on Rutland Road at Old Vernon Road, and several improvements to transit and cycling networks in the area.
"These upgrades should make it easier and safer for people to move through Kelowna," says Claire Trevena, B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "They also create a better connection from the downtown core to the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus and Kelowna Airport."
The stretch of the highway that was worked on sees 40,000 vehicles pass through every day – a number that’s expected to go up, causing heavier traffic and creating a need for the project.
It came with a $67 million price tag ; the Federal Government contributed $18 million, the City gave $1 million, and the Province covered the rest.