Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway Intersection Improvements

The Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway infrastructure improvement project is now complete, and the intersection is open to traffic.

Thank you to motorists, residents, and businesses along the construction route for their patience and cooperation throughout this project. Your understanding has helped us complete these important improvements that enhance the safety and connectivity of West Kelowna’s streets and neighbourhoods.

Valued at $4.35 million, and completed on budget, this multi-jurisdictional project has been carried out in collaboration with Westbank First Nation and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit. This project enhances safety for all road users and improves connections to key destinations. It is a strategic priority of Mayor and Council under the Invest in Infrastructure pillar.

We thank Westbank First Nation and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit for their contributions toward the intersection improvements.

Project highlights

Intersection improvements:

• New left-turn lanes in all directions with permissive left-turns.
• A new westbound right-turn lane on Butt Road.

New sidewalk:

• 350 metres of new concrete sidewalk.
• Replacing 95 metres of existing asphalt path.

New bike lane:

• 640 metres of dedicated bike lanes.

New watermain:

• 377 metres of new watermain to replace aging infrastructure.

Drainage upgrades:

• Enhanced drainage at the southwest corner, where high flows in Westbank Creek have resulted in damage to City infrastructure and private property.

Additional improvements

In addition to the original project scope, the City of West Kelowna completed the Old Okanagan Watermain Extension Project from the 2025 Capital Budget, replacing an additional 328 metres of aging infrastructure.

Further scope additions included extending 170 meters of watermain replacement along Butt Road on behalf of Westbank First Nation.

The Old Okanagan Watermain Extension also included 600 lane metres of road rehabilitation on Old Okanagan Highway funded from the approved 2025 Budget. Additional lane remediation between Chieftain and Reece Roads is anticipated in 2026.

Please note that some final clean-up and repair work may be completed in the spring, as the construction schedule is subject to weather conditions, utility coordination and other factors.

We thank Westbank First Nation for their contributions toward the intersection additions.

Date of Issue: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

The Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway intersection improvement project is nearing completion. Crews are in the final stages of work, and the intersection is anticipated to reopen on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

This project enhances safety for all road users and improves connections to key destinations. It is a strategic priority of Mayor and Council under the Invest in Infrastructure pillar.

Valued at $4.35 million, this multi-jurisdictional project has been carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and Westbank First Nation.

Project highlights:

• Intersection improvements:
  • Additional left-turn lanes in all directions with permissive left-turns
  • A new westbound right-turn lane on Butt Road
• New sidewalk: 350 metres of new concrete sidewalk, replacing 95 metres of existing asphalt path
• New bike lane: 640 metres of dedicated bike lanes
• New watermain: 377 metres of new watermain to replace aging infrastructure
• Drainage upgrades: Enhanced drainage at the southwest corner, where high flows in Westbank Creek have resulted in damage to City infrastructure and private property.

Additional work

In addition to the original project scope, the City of West Kelowna extended watermain replacement to Chieftain Road, replacing an additional 328 metres of aging infrastructure.

Further scope additions included extending 170 meters of watermain replacement along Butt Road on behalf of Westbank First Nation.

The watermain extension also included 600 lane metres of asphalt remediation on Old Okanagan Highway. Additional lane remediation between Chieftain Road and Reece Road is anticipated in 2026.

Please note that some final clean-up and repair work may be completed in the spring, as the construction schedule is subject to weather conditions, utility coordination and other factors.

Thank you

We understand that construction can be disruptive, and we sincerely thank motorists, residents, and businesses along the construction route for their patience and cooperation throughout the duration of this project. Your understanding has helped us complete these important improvements that enhance the safety and connectivity of West Kelowna’s streets and neighbourhoods.

Date of Issue: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Work continues to advance at the Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway intersection, with B.C. General crews making steady progress on the improvements.

The project remains on schedule, and the intersection is on track to reopen in fall 2025. As work nears completion, the City will share an update with the community announcing the official reopening date.

Construction has included extensive underground utility work, along with additional improvements such as the extension of the City’s watermain to Chieftain Road and the installation of 175 metres of Westbank First Nation watermain. Crews will continue paving sections later this week.

Progress to date

Crews have completed the following work:

• All watermain replacement within the original scope
• Curb, sidewalk, and road reconstruction on Old Okanagan Highway south of the intersection
• Curb and road reconstruction on Butt Road west of the intersection
• Construction of all the stormwater infrastructure

Work in the coming weeks

In the weeks ahead, crews are scheduled to complete:

• Contractor-led relocations of shallow utilities
• The final stretch of additional City watermain replacement on Old Okanagan Highway, up to Chieftain Road
• Westbank First Nation watermain installation on Butt Road, east of the intersection

Please note that some final boulevard and landscaping work may be completed in the spring, as the construction schedule is subject to weather conditions, utility controls and other factors.

Continue to plan ahead and stay safe

We understand that construction can be inconvenient and we appreciate the community’s continued patience as we complete these important improvements to West Kelowna’s streets and neighbourhoods.

Drivers are encouraged to continue to plan their routes in advance, consider alternate roads when possible and expect some delays and increased traffic in surrounding areas. Please continue to follow posted detour signage and drive with extra care through construction zones.

About the project

This project will improve safety for all users and enhance connections to key destinations and is a strategic priority of Mayor and Council under the Invest in Infrastructure pillar.

The $4.35 million project will be constructed throughout the summer with an anticipated completion date of fall 2025.

This is a multi-jurisdictional project carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and Westbank First Nation.

Stay informed on road closures and project updates

• Learn more about the City’s capital projects at OurWK.ca/buttroadimprovements
• Sign up for updates at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe
• Follow the City on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Check out the project update video on YouTube

Date of Issue: Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

B.C. General crews continue to make strong progress on the Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway intersection improvements.

The anticipated timeline for reopening the intersection remains fall 2025. As work progresses toward completion, we will share more details about the specific reopening date.

Progress to date

To date, crews have completed:

• Installation of the majority of the watermain on the south and west legs of the intersection
• Construction of the majority of the storm infrastructure within the intersection
• Curb installation on Butt Road (west of the intersection) and Old Okanagan Highway (south of the intersection)

Work in the coming weeks

In the weeks ahead, crews are scheduled to complete:

• Contractor-led relocations of shallow utilities
• City watermain installation on Old Okanagan Highway, between the intersection and Chieftain Road
• Westbank First Nation watermain installation on Butt Road, east of the intersection

Plan ahead and stay safe

We recognize that roadwork can be disruptive and we thank residents for their patience as we work to deliver long-term improvements to West Kelowna’s streets and neighbourhoods.

With students heading back to school next week, drivers are reminded to plan ahead, use alternate routes where possible, and expect delays and increased traffic on surrounding roads and detour routes. Please follow posted detour signs and use extra caution in construction zones.

About the project

This project will improve safety for all users and enhance connections to key destinations and is a strategic priority of Mayor and Council under the Invest in Infrastructure pillar.

The $4.35 million project will be constructed throughout the summer with an anticipated completion date of fall 2025.

This is a multi-jurisdictional project carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and Westbank First Nation.

Stay informed on road closures and project updates

• Learn more about the City’s capital projects at OurWK.ca/buttroadimprovements
• Sign up for updates at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe
• Follow the City on Facebook, Instagram and X

Check out the project update video below

Date of Issue: Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Beginning Wednesday, June 18, construction will begin at the Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway intersection as part of a major active transportation and intersection improvement project.

To complete the work safely and efficiently, the intersection will be fully closed to all vehicle and public access at all times, including weekdays and weekends, until fall 2025.

All area businesses will remain open and accessible, via detours, during construction.

Detours in place for the duration of the project

During construction, motorists are asked to avoid the area and use the following alternative routes and detours:

• Traffic from Old Okanagan Highway will need to detour to Elliott Road via Reece Road and Bering Road
• Traffic will also need to detour using Bering Road to Louie Drive and on to Old Okanagan Highway

For more information on the detours, please see the map below.

The City reminds motorists to drive with caution through the detour routes and follow directions of traffic control. Motorists are advised to leave extra time to get where they need to go.

Emergency services will be granted access through the work area whenever possible.

Transit service through this intersection will be temporarily re-routed while the closure is in effect. As a result, some transit stops in the area will be relocated, and routes will be adjusted to accommodate the detour. Riders are encouraged to check BC Transit’s website for up-to-date route and stop information during construction.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be guided through the work area by traffic control personnel.

Please note the construction schedule is subject to weather conditions, contractor schedule changes and other factors.

Project map

What work is being done

Intersection improvements will include:

• Additional left-turn lanes in all directions with permissive left-turns.
• A new westbound right-turn lane on Butt Road.
• 350 metres of new concrete sidewalk, replacing 95 metres of existing asphalt path.
• 640 metres of dedicated bike lanes.
• 174 metres of new watermain to replace aging infrastructure.
• Drainage improvements at the southwest corner, where high flows in Westbank Creek have resulted in damage to City infrastructure and private property.

Why is a full intersection closure necessary

A full closure is required to ensure the safety of the public and construction crews and to facilitate careful and complex utility work at a major junction. This project involves significant underground utility installations and deep excavation, making it unsafe, costly and inefficient to allow through traffic while work is underway.

Stay connected for project updates

• To learn more about the Butt Road and Old Okanagan Highway Intersection Improvement Project, visit OurWK.ca/buttroadintersection.
• Remain signed up at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe to receive project updates directly to your inbox.
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

The City of West Kelowna thanks residents and businesses for their patience during construction.

Date of Issue: Wednesday, June 4, 2025

This summer, the City of West Kelowna is investing in key infrastructure upgrades, including sidewalk extensions, active transportation and intersection improvements, and essential roadway and drainage enhancements throughout the community.

We’re excited to share a preview of major transportation projects that will begin in the coming weeks.

Stay informed on road closures and project updates

For the latest information on closures, detours, and project progress, visit OurWK.ca or subscribe to have news and alerts delivered directly to your inbox at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe, or follow us for updates on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Read the full project update here.

Council awards contract to Old Okanagan Highway and Butt Road Improvements

Council awarded a $3,240,103 contract, for improvements to Old Okanagan Highway and Butt Road, to BC General Contracting, the lone bidder. The budget was $2.90 million. Additional funds will be diverted to the project from the 2025 Pedestrian Improvement Program. The B.C. Transportation and Transit Ministry is contributing $600,239. Work will include additional left turn lanes, a right turn lane westbound on Butt Road, sidewalks, and bike lanes, new watermain, and drainage improvements.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the project!

• Sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe
• Follow us on Facebook, X or Instagram.