Trepanier Bench Intersection Improvements

COMPLETED - The Trepanier Bench Intersection Improvements project implemented safety improvements at three intersections on Highway 97 through Peachland.

The improvements were identified in two planning studies conducted in the area:

• Peachland Transportation Study (PDF, 8.5MB)
• Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy (CO-ITS) (PDF, 23.8MB)

This project is part of the Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Network (COITN) program. COITN builds on years of regional transportation planning and serves as an integral part of the overall transportation network in the central Okanagan.

The project included:

• Trepanier Bench Road
  • Signalization of the Highway 97-Trepanier Bench Intersection
  • Access to highway from Desert Pines Avenue limited to right-turn exits only
  • Access from Trepanier Bench Road to Desert Pines no longer permitted
• Buchanan Road (South)
  • Widening of the highway and left turn lane
  • Access to highway from Buchanan Road South no longer permitted
• Buchanan Road (North)
  • Installation of concrete median on highway

Status

Completed summer 2026.

Project benefits

This project benefits the community by:

• Enhancing safety and improve traffic flow along the Highway 97 corridor
• Reduce the risks of collisions by better managing access to the highway

The upgrades address safety concerns due to increasing local and visitor traffic, which has led to longer intersection queues and a higher risk of collisions.