Project Update 3 - Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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