KELOWNA, BC – With more than 50,000 vehicles traveling on Harvey Avenue through Kelowna every day, it’s hard to understand that advance green turn lights have taken this long.
“You wait through several lights and then you have to take a risk,” said one driver Tuesday, summing up the frustrating lack of help to get off Harvey Avenue, also known as Highway 97, through the Okanagan city.
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“It’s a zoo,” said another.
Now, Kelowna City Council has decided it’s finally time to help, announcing four additional left turn advanced lights along the busy corridor.
Gordon Drive, Burtch Road and Cooper Road will see the turn signal changes. The cost is estimated at $100,000, with the City paying 40% and the BC Ministry of Transportation paying for the rest.
“When you put in these advance lefts, they actually draw people to them,” says Ron Westlake, Kelowna Director of Regional Services. “We are probably going to see some adjustments to traffic as a result.”
Pedestrian countdown timers will also be added to the busiest intersections on Harvey Avenue.
The advance turn signal for southbound traffic at Harvey and Pandosy Avenue is being removed to try and improve traffic flow.
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