The winding saga of Highway 97 through British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley has taken yet another political turn. This week, BC Conservative MLAs pressed both federal and provincial officials to develop a permanent backup route along the corridor—a lifeline that connects communities from Penticton to Vernon.
Standing near one of last year’s most troublesome slide areas, Conservative MLA Lorne Doerkson didn’t mince words about the economic impact of repeated closures. “When these highways shut down, we’re not just talking about inconvenience. We’re talking about millions in lost business, medical appointments missed, and entire communities essentially cut off,” Doerkson told a small gathering of local business owners and residents.
The highway’s vulnerabilities were dramatically exposed last summer when multiple rockslides forced extended closures, turning what should have been 45-minute drives into multi-hour detours. Tourism operators reported cancellations surging by 30 percent during peak season, according to figures from the Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association.
What makes this push noteworthy is the Conservative caucus’s approach—specifically requesting both provincial and federal cooperation on infrastructure that has historically fallen under provincial jurisdiction. The party is calling for Ottawa to classify the route as critical national infrastructure, potentially unlocking federal funding mechanisms typically reserved for projects like the Trans-Canada Highway.
“When wildfire season hits and we have highway closures at the same time, we’re looking at a perfect storm of isolation,” said Sean McKinley, mayor of a small community that relies heavily on the corridor. “Our emergency services simply cannot function effectively without reliable routes.”
The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has already spent approximately $27 million on remediation efforts since last year’s closures. Ministry spokesperson Rebecca Miller confirmed they’ve completed geotechnical assessments but stopped short of committing to a second permanent route.
“We understand the importance of Highway 97 to local communities and the provincial economy,” Miller stated in an email response. “Our immediate focus remains on stabilizing the current corridor while exploring long-term solutions that balance safety, environmental impacts, and fiscal responsibility.”
The alternative routes currently available—forest service roads and seasonal mountain passes—weren’t designed for the volume or type of traffic now being diverted during closures. Local truck driver James Hoffman described navigating these detours as “taking your life in your hands,” particularly during winter months.
Conservation groups have raised concerns about how additional road construction might impact sensitive ecosystems. “We need to consider how widening corridors or creating new routes will affect wildlife movement and watershed health,” noted environmental advocate Sarah Pemberton of the Okanagan Basin Protection Society.
Climate scientists from the University of British Columbia have linked the increasing frequency of slides to changing precipitation patterns. Their research suggests the combination of wetter winters and hotter, drier summers has destabilized many slopes throughout the region.
The push comes amid shifting political winds in the province. The BC Conservatives, having gained ground in recent by-elections, appear eager to demonstrate their practical approach to regional infrastructure concerns that transcend traditional partisan lines.
Federal response has been cautious. A spokesperson for the Minister of Infrastructure noted that while they’re “always open to discussions with provincial partners,” specific projects typically need to go through established funding application processes.
Meanwhile, local chambers of commerce throughout the region have united behind the call for action. An economic impact study commissioned by the Kelowna Chamber suggested that each day of complete closure costs regional businesses approximately $800,000 in lost revenue and additional transportation expenses.
The debate represents more than just politics—it touches on fundamental questions about how governments prepare for climate-related infrastructure challenges. As one local farmer put it during the Conservative press conference: “We’re not asking for luxury here. We’re asking for the basics—the ability to get our products to market and our families to medical care without wondering if the mountain’s going to come down.”
For the communities nestled between the mountains and lakes of the Okanagan, the issue transcends party lines. As summer approaches and tourist season looms, the question remains whether this political pressure will translate into concrete action before the next slide brings commerce to a halt once again.
