New signs tell drivers when they can use HOV lanes in Kelowna

KELOWNA – The province has installed 12 new lighted signs that tell when lone motorists can use the HOV lanes.

On Jan. 19 2015, the marked outside lanes along the highway were opened to to all drivers between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday to Friday as well as all day Saturday and Sunday.

To remind drivers, the Ministry of Transportation installed 12 LED signs to indicate when HOV rules are in effect. When the signs are lit, only motorists carrying passengers as well as transit and emergency vehicles are premitted in the lanes. 

According to an email from the Ministry, it cost approximately $91,000 to install the 12 signs.

The B.C. government website says drivers should expect to see increased enforcement from the City of Kelowna and the RCMP.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 to correct information that said the HOV lane rules were recently changed. The lanes have been open to all motorists from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. since Jan. 19, 2015.