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Bertram Pedestrian Overpass

Home > Our community > Planning & projects > Current capital projects > Bertram Pedestrian Overpass
Estimated Start: 
Spring 2023
Estimated End: 
2024
Phase: 
Design only

Project overview
The Bertram Pedestrian Overpass will create a new comfortable, accessible and reliable connection over Highway 97 for people walking and bicycling. It will link growing neighborhoods on the south side of Highway 97 to Downtown and, in the future, to the surrounding active transportation network. This new connection will improve access to parks, employment, transit, businesses, services and amenities for people working and living on both sides of Highway 97. 

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Project scope
The overpass will extend between Bertram Street in downtown Kelowna and connect to Rowcliffe Park via the Central Green residential development. The project includes the design and construction of a multi-use overpass, including the main bridge span, approach ramps and integration into adjacent streets.

Timeline
Design has been ongoing since 2020, and detailed design is currently underway. Overpass construction is anticipated to start in 2023 and take 14-18 months to complete.

Project benefits
Currently, available pedestrian crossings near this section of Highway 97 are road-level crosswalks at Richter and Ellis streets. The pedestrian overpass will:

  • Provide a more comfortable highway crossing for people walking, biking and rolling.
  • Improve the connectivity of Kelowna's active transportation network.
  • Improve access to downtown.
  • Support a balanced transportation network 
  • Improve access to Highway 97 RapidBus stops.

Design
The overpass has been designed to be comfortable, accessible and reliable. The design considers consultation with stakeholders and technical requirements such as vertical clearance, slope and grade, accessibility, site limitations, traffic sightlines, and crime prevention through environmental design.

Construction impacts
Construction activities are anticipated to occur in 2023 and through 2024. Residents, businesses and others impacted by construction will be provided with notice in advance. 

Funding
The $5.5 million project is being funded by the City of Kelowna and $3.7 million in Federal Gas Tax funds.