Looking at the plans of BCMoT, the government has long-term plans (objectives?) of four laning the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border, as well as highway improvements in the Okanagan Valley, which now is four laned as far north as Armstrong. One could assume that at some point it would warrant having a four lane highway between the Okanagan Valley and the Trans Canada Highway, which would serve as the region's main eastern gateway. More traffic would approach via TCH 1 east from Alberta, since western traffic would take either BC 97 from Kamloops or BC 97C from the Lower Mainland. The Okanagan Valley is 3rd largest populated region in BC after the Lower Mainland and east coast of Vancouver Island and also attracts a lot of tourist traffic from Alberta.
BC 97A between BC 97B near Grindrod and TCH 1 in Sicamous is the shortest from TCH 1 east (Alberta) and could link to north arm bypass of TCH 1; however, it is more challenging terrain that passes along Mara Lake and through the town of Sicamous. While BC 97A is shorter driving distance from Alberta (by only 8 km), it is 33 km from the TCH.
BC 97B has better terrain to expand the highway, links to Salmon Arm (larger than Sicamous) but also bypasses the community. Slightly longer drive from Alberta and could potentially be cut off from the TCH if there was a significant but unlikely realignment around Salmon Arm. It is only 14 km from the present alignment of the TCH.
Would BC 97B be preferable as its less kms to the TCH and better terrain, or BC 97A as it would be a more direct route to points further east?
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?board=20
I would assume 97A is off the table because of its lakeside views - would be much better taking main traffic away from the lake.
Quote from: NE2 on July 23, 2018, 06:36:31 PM
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?board=20
I didn't post this on the Fictional Highways section as there has been a focus (albeit slow) to expand the area highways. BCMoT has a section in their website dedicated for the Okanagan Valley Corridor (http://"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/okanagan-valley-corridor/okanagan-valley-current"), where TCH 1, BC 97A, and BC 97B fall under its scope. Even if plans aren't currently posted online, I was wanting to have a realistic discussion where the province could implement an expansion (even the slim chance of getting insider information), as opposed to fantasy.
Upgrading BC 97A would be the most logical, but more expensive. Both Sicamous and Enderby would need to be bypassed. The section by Mara Lake would be a challenge, but doable. On most summer weekends, the smallest delay escalates and traffic on BC 97A becomes stalled.