William R. Bennett Bridge
and Kelowna Traffic Changes

The official opening of the new W. R. Bennett Bridge took place Sunday May 25, 2008.  View incredible pictures of the celebatory crossing of the new the W. R. Bennett Bridge.  See thousands of people walk and roll as part of the day's celebrations.  W. R. Bennett Bridge Official Crossing Photo Gallery 

Construction of the new William R. Bennett Bridge across Okanagan Lake is near completion; construction is being managed by the provincial government which celebrated its recent official opening.  The bridge is expected to be open to traffic completely by May 30, 2008.

City Council and the provincial government have agreed to traffic flow improvements required on local roadways and Highway 97 to complement the capacity of the new bridge. The province will provide up to $4 million to assist with the $25 million improvements, specifically between the new bridge and Richter Street. Most local roadway improvements are now in place.

Traffic Changes

• Water St & Pandosy Street is now connected and widened to four lanes between Leon Avenue and Sutherland Avenue
• The two-way Water/Pandosy roadway offers dual left lanes (northbound) onto Highway 97
• Ellis Street now offer dual left lanes (southbound) onto Highway 97
• Richter Street will be widened to four lanes from Bernard Avenue to Sutherland Avenue
• Gordon Drive will be improved with dual left lanes (southbound) onto Highway 97 when warranted

Visit Drive Kelowna for current road construction updates. 

View the final traffic lane configuration

Roads Task Force

The Roads Task Force, a committee of community representatives, spent many months in 2004 working with City staff and traffic experts examining options to improve traffic flow on and off the bridge and Highway 97. Their recommendations include the above traffic changes; other suggestions have been forwarded to the province for consideration by the successful bridge proponent, SNC Lavalin.

All information provided to the Task Force, including Task Force meeting minutes, is available below.

Final Report to Council January 31 2005

Appendices

Downtown Plan

Funding Agreement

NEWS Releases

Official Community Plan

One-Way Couplet

Roads Task Force Minutes

Roads Task Force Presentations