Highway 97 at 43rd Ave. was one of the intersections identified as in need of enhancements but remains unresolved (Vernon Matters photo)

By Liam Verster

Projects Identified 9 Years Ago

Handful of highway projects remain unfinished in the area

Dec 11, 2024 | 2:23 PM

Five highway projects in the Greater Vernon area remain unfinished.

A report to Vernon City Council Monday, Dec. 9, stated there were a handful of outstanding projects from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit involving Highway 97 that were identified nearly a decade ago.

Five projects outlined in 2015 remain unfinished, with the report saying most of the minor work, such as installing signage and signals, had been completed, though the major work identified remained unresolved.

The outstanding projects involved:

• Adding northbound/southbound turn lanes and eastbound/westbound at the intersection of Highway 97 and 32nd Avenue
• Adding a full traffic control signal to the intersection of Highway 97 and 35th Avenue
• Adding a southbound right turn lane and a westbound protected left turn signal at the intersection of Highway 97 and 39th Avenue
• Adding a second eastbound left turn lane at the intersection of Highway 97 and 43rd Avenue
• Adding a fourth intersection leg connection to Old Kamloops Road at Highway 97 and 48th Avenue

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The report added the only work done by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit within Vernon was an improvement feasibility review of the Highway 97 and 32nd Avenue intersection, though it was noted that work at that location would be constrained due to the narrow right-of-way and would not likely be able to take place until land was acquired.

It also stated that the Ministry’s published list of projects for 2025 did not involve any in Vernon, and staff noted these were not identified as a priority but may be brought forward to the province again in the future.

Staff also told council that the Ministry was informed about safety concerns involving the intersection of Highway 97/32nd Street and 30th Avenue and that the province was undertaking an engineering review at that location.

Council was also reminded that the city was doing its own Transportation Plan.

The report was accepted for information at Monday’s meeting.