Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country announced today on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone that the ministry will install concrete median barriers on approximately nine kilometres of Highway 97 between Kelowna and Lake Country to improve safety for motorists. The total project budget is $2.5 million.

The project is part of the Government of B.C.’s investment in improving the safety of the provincial highway and side-road network through B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan.

Phase 1 of the project will see concrete median barriers installed on Highway 97 from University Way to the north end of Duck Lake. Work will start later this month and be completed this summer. 

Phase 2 of the safety improvements is in the early planning stages and will include median barriers continuing north along Highway 97 from Duck Lake to Commonwealth Road, as well as some additional access improvements. Once initial planning is complete, the proposed design will be brought forward for public consultation. This phase is expected to be completed in fall 2016. 

The decision to install median barriers was made last year following an engineering safety review of the highway. The recommendation was driven by the risk of crossover accidents combined with high traffic volumes.

Median barrier installation work will be done in off-peak travel hours, usually evening and overnight, and will require single lane closures for safety. Details will be posted to DriveBC as construction nears.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna -

“As communities around the Okanagan grow, so does the demand on roads like Highway 97. That’s why we’re continuing to invest in safety improvements - to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with an increasing population.”

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

“The addition of nine more kilometres of median barrier will improve safety on this section of Highway 97 for all motorists. I am committed to investing in these important highway improvements that are a key priority of BC on the Move, our 10-year transportation plan.”

MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick -

“I re-entered public life 10 years ago in part because of the death of a pedestrian standing at a Kelowna street corner waiting to cross the road. The safety of my constituents is paramount and I'm so pleased that government has once again delivered on highway improvements that will have a direct impact of saving lives and reducing the anguish suffered by broken families left behind.”

MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson -

“Safety on our roads is a top priority, and these improvements will benefit all motorists. It’s rewarding to see Phase 1 get underway, and I look forward to hearing public input on phase 2 of this important project.”

Mayor of Lake Country James Baker -

“We are very pleased the ministry has identified this section of Highway 97 for safety improvements in the form of median barriers to reduce serious, and sometimes fatal, motor vehicle accidents that claim innocent lives.”

Learn More:

Find out more about B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan, at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241