Left turn signals get green light

Photo: Kelly Hayes

Two people were injured when a truck collided with a mall coupe at Bartley Road, back in 2010.

Much needed left hand turn signals along highway 97 in West Kelowna are about to become a reality.

The Liberal Government announced Friday, left turn signals will be installed at the intersections of Bartley and Gellatly/Gossett.

At the Bartley intersection there will be flashing left turn arrows from Bartley Road in each direction onto the highway and vehicles will be able to turn left only on a green arrow.

Vehicles are given a flashing green arrow for exclusive, protected left turns, followed by a full green, permitting left turns through gaps in oncoming traffic. 

At the Gellatly/Gossett  intersection there will be one advanced left turn signal added southbound on Highway 97. There is already one northbound. Two flashing left arrows will be installed from Gellatly and Gossett roads onto the highway.

Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart says the two intersections have become dangerously difficult at times with the amount of traffic that passes through.

"These left turn signals will make a world of difference, increase safety, traffic mobility and hopefully prevent future accidents.”

Both Bartley and Gellatly/Gossett  were ranked among the top six worst intersections in West Kelowna, by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Most recently a two vehicle collision at Bartley and Highway 97, on September 3,  sent four people to hospital.

A mini van traveling northbound on Highway 97 collided with a white sedan that was turning left onto Bartley Road from the highway.

The province is cost sharing with the District of West Kelowna to pay for the $190,000 installation.

Work starts September 24, and is expected to be complete by October 31.

During construction there will be brief single lane closures.