Safety upgrades are coming to Highway 97 through Peachland.
Changes are being made at Trepanier Bench Road, Buchanan Road South, and Buchanan Road North, aimed at reducing collision risks by improving traffic access and flow.
Trepanier Bench Road will become the main access point to Highway 97, with a new traffic signal installed at the intersection. Access from Desert Pines Avenue will be limited to right-turn exits only, and drivers will no longer be allowed to turn left from Trepanier Bench Road onto Desert Pines Avenue.
At Buchanan Rd North and South, turns onto the highway will also be restricted to reduce the risk of crashes.
鈥淭hese upgrades are in response to increased local and visitor traffic, which has led to longer wait times at intersections and a higher risk of collisions,鈥� reads a statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
The District of Peachland has spent years urging the province to take action on longstanding safety concerns along the highway that runs through the community.
鈥淭his investment is such a significant step forward to ensure the safety of motorists in our community," Mayor Patrick Van Minsel said in a statement. "These intersections with Highway 97 have long been a concern for residents and these improvements will address a need that has only gotten more pressing over time.鈥�
The ministry expects to put the projects out to tender in the coming weeks, with construction set to begin this summer.