Okanagan transportation corridor proposed following Highway 97 closure

A new petition has been launched in the B.C. Legislative Assembly calling for the development of a secondary transportation corridor in the Okanagan region. The initiative follows a five-day closure of Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland, which disrupted access to essential services, including Kelowna General Hospital and Kelowna International Airport.

The proposal advocates for a road connecting Naramata and Kelowna via the Mission area, utilizing the existing Kettle Valley Railway corridor and other available infrastructure. Proponents argue that the current reliance on Highway 97 leaves the South Okanagan vulnerable to disruptions from wildfires, rockslides, and accidents. During recent closures, drivers have frequently used Forest Service Road 201, despite provincial warnings that it does not meet standard highway specifications.

Following a previous federal petition that received over 1,700 signatures, the project is now being pushed at the provincial level. The Village of Keremeos Council has formally supported the initiative, and efforts are underway to gain further backing from local municipalities and chambers of commerce.