Province looking for input on Highway 97 improvement plans through Peachland

Peachland residents have been waiting, and arguing, for years over various options to improve Highway 97 through their town.

Now the Ministry of Transportation is asking for input on the outline of what it proposes over the short- and long-term. Because of COVID-19, the proposals will not go to a public meeting. Instead, residents are asked to comment online.

Two of the options bypass the town, and one looks at increasing the flow of traffic through the current highway. The existing two-lane sections of Highway 97 will not reach full capacity until 2040.

District of Peachland council opposes the preferred alternate and existing Highway 97 transportation options originally presented by the ministry last month. Mayor Cindy Fortin said at the time the plan for routes that bypass Peachland are not what her community envisioned, adding "it is very disappointing."

READ MORE: Peachland bypass or highway widening options offered

The highway study is expected to be finished by the end of the year and it will be posted online.

To have your say on the proposals for Highway 97 in Peachland go here. The website will be open for input until Sept. 4.

Anyone who can’t go online can contact the project team by email at peachland97study@gov.bc.ca.

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