BC Conservatives urge NDP to address 'ongoing failures' surrounding Highway 97

The BC Conservatives have called on the BC NDP to address the "ongoing issues" surrounding Highway 97.

MLAs Harman Bhangu, Misty Van Popta, and Macklin McCall, who represent Langley-Abbotsford, Langley-Walnut Grove, and West Kelowna-Peachland, respectively, demanded Premier David Eby and his government present long-term solutions to problems that have plagued the road for years.

"Highway 97 is a lifeline for the Okanagan region, carrying over 20,000 vehicles daily," Bhangu said during a press conference on Wednesday, "yet, under Eby's NDP, it has become a symbol of mismanagement and neglect."

He claimed that year after year, residents, businesses, and emergency services "have been left with a broken and unreliable road link as the government delays solutions."

The highway, which travels between Osoyoos and Kamloops, has been closed numerous times over the past years. Following a landslide in August 2023, for example, it took nearly a year to remove all the debris and restore road usage.

"The NDP's reactive measures and leisurely timeframes are unacceptable," Van Popta declared. "We need a comprehensive plan including soil stabilization, fire prevention, and road widening to proactively address Highway 97’s vulnerabilities and prevent future disasters."

She said upgrading alternate routes "must be prioritized for safe and reliable detour options," noting that the current emergency detour route, which includes the Trout Main Forest Service Road, is unsafe.

"The residents of the Okanagan are tired of constant disruptions," McCall added. "We are tired of being left behind by the NDP. We are calling on Premier Eby and Transportation Minister Farnworth to allocate funding in the upcoming budget for comprehensive Highway 97 upgrades. The livelihoods and safety of British Columbians are at stake."