Highway 97 improvements

Photo: Contributed

Road improvement work has begun on a section of Highway 97 between Oliver and Osoyoos

There are two contracts for this project, with the first seeing the resurfacing of the highway from Osoyoos to Tucelnuit Drive (omitting the recently completed Osoyoos passing lanes and the arterial, (Main Street), section through Oliver).

The contractor started construction on the first last week and its completion date is the end of June.

"This piece of Highway 97 has not been paved in the last 25 years," said MLA Linda Larson. "It will cause disruptions and drivers to be frustrated, but if it lasts another 25 years it will be worth it."

The second contract, which includes the resurfacing of the arterial through Oliver, will take place later this summer.

Benefits of resurfacing this section of road include a smoother and safer surface for commercial trucks, locals and tourists on this route which sees extremely high traffic volumes during the summer, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

A hot-in-place treatment method is being applied because the asphalt is beginning to age and hot-in-place recycling is an effective way to receive the benefits of traditional paving at a fraction of the price.

The project was brought forward by the municipality at UBCM and the ministry is working closely with them to address other safety concerns and requests within the town of Oliver, which will be included in the second contract.

The government continues to invest in the safety of the provincial highway and side road network through B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan.

The province will invest $380 million over the next three years to resurface provincial highway, with 1,000 kilometres of provincial highway resurfaced annually.