Swan Lake Interchange Open

Edited News Release

The new $22 million Swan Lake interchange, four km north of Vernon, is now open to the public.

"This is the biggest highway project completed in the Heartlands this year
and it was completed under budget by a half million dollars," says Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon Falcon. "By doubling capacity, we expect to see a 50 per cent decrease in traffic accidents in this area, which is crucial, considering 27,000 vehicles pass through this intersection each day."

The project included improvements to Hwy 97 and 97A to increase traffic capacity and improve safety. Four-and-a-half km of the two-lane highway was upgraded to four lanes with a paved median, and the existing intersection was upgraded to a full interchange.

New passing lanes allow heavy trucks to use the outside lane leaving the inside lane for faster traffic. Wider shoulders and new roadside barriers will improve roadside safety.

To help reduce the traffic volume on the highway, access roads have been
built so local residents can avoid the main highway when visiting local businesses. New waterlines were installed under the side roads on both sides of the highway under a cost sharing arrangement with the Greater
Vernon Water District.

Half of the $22-million project costs went towards the interchange construction, which was performed by AEL Paving of Merritt. Remaining project costs included property acquisition, project design and engineering,
field supervision, materials for three railway crossings, environmental design and monitoring, and geotechnical engineering.

The interchange is expected to accommodate projected traffic needs beyond 2020 and is part of the government's Heartlands road program dedicating more than $830 million over three years.