Highway 97 reopens near Peachland following tree removal

Photo: Ross Baker

Power lines are down on the highway just south of Antlers Beach.

UPDATE: 6:20 p.m.

Traffic along Highway 97 near Peachland is running smoothly again as of Monday night, following downed power lines causing a section of road to be closed.

In an update around 6 p.m., DriveBC notified drivers that the highway between Brent Road and Hardy Street was now clear.

The closure was roughly 2 km south of Peachland, northbound into Kelowna.

Drive BC said a tree caused the downed power lines, which has since been removed.

4:37 p.m.

Highway 97 remains closed in both directions between Park Ave and Brent Rd for 0.6 km (2 km south of Peachland).

DriveBC says the road is closed due to downed hydro lines.

An assessment is in progress.

There is a two hour detour available: Highway 97C to Highway 5A to Princeton to Highway 3 to Highway 3A to Penticton.

An estimated time of opening not available.

2:43 p.m.

DriveBC is reporting that a detour is now available around the downed power lines on Highway 97.

Those who need to travel the route are being redirected down Highway 97C to Highway 5A to Princeton to Highway 3 to Highway 3A to Penticton.

It's unclear when the road will open though more information is expected at a 4:30 p.m. update.

ORIGINAL 1:11 p.m.

Motorists should expect major delays if they're travelling south of Peachland.

DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97 is closed south of the town, due to a downed tree on power lines.

A witness on the scene said it looked like a washout knocked the tree into the lines.

No estimated time of re-opening has been offered yet, though traffic on-site has been turning back.

??#BCHwy97 is CLOSED south of #Peachland due to a tree down on power lines. Crew en route. Expect major delays. #Kelowna #Penticton pic.twitter.com/1IcdnXYaeB

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 11, 2024

Photo: DriveBC

Motorists should expect major delays if they're travelling south of Peachland.