BC Conservatives Advocate for Alternative Okanagan Highway due to Closures on Highway 97
In the Okanagan region of British Columbia, a proposal to upgrade Forest Service Road 201 (FSR 201) as a safer and more reliable emergency alternative route during closures on Highway 97 is gaining traction.
The importance of maintaining a usable emergency route like FSR 201 has been emphasized by local government officials and political representatives. Macklin McCall, BC Conservative MLA for West Kelowna-Peachland, and Dan Albas, Conservative MP for Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna, have both highlighted the need for upgrades to this resource road.
The Conservatives are urging the federal government to reimburse half of the $23.2 million stabilization cost for Highway 97 near Summerland, with the province using that money to upgrade FSR 201. They are drawing on the former Harper-Campbell partnership as a model for how a provincial and federal government can work together on infrastructure projects.
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield and other local leaders have consistently pressed for upgrades, emphasizing safety, economic resiliency, and supply chain connectivity. They plan to raise the issue again at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities meeting.
A coalition of Okanagan MPs and MLAs has publicly called for paving FSR 201 to make it a reliable backup route during closures caused by wildfires, landslides, accidents, and other emergencies. They are pushing for cooperation between provincial and federal governments to fund and implement these upgrades.
However, as of August 2025, there has been no confirmed final approval or start of construction works for these upgrades. The B.C. government recognizes the importance of forest service roads and prioritizes upkeep of those critical for access. During extended highway closures, the Ministry of Forests works in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure resource roads like FSR 201 are made available as alternate routes. However, these roads currently remain rough and lengthy.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit acknowledges the critical role Highway 97 plays in connecting Okanagan communities. The current state of FSR 201 is far from ideal for use as an emergency detour. The ministry continues to consult with local governments and Indigenous communities through initiatives like the Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy, aimed at improving long-term regional access and mobility.
Local leaders have proposed financial assistance programs to stabilize and upgrade FSR 201, and advocacy continues at multiple government levels. BC Conservative transportation critic Harman Banghu suggested that paving FSR 201 would give the community another safe option to travel during emergencies.
The ongoing closures of Highway 97 are causing concerns across the Okanagan region. The ministry encourages anyone using FSR 201 to be prepared and aware of potential hazards, especially in backcountry conditions.
The proposal to upgrade FSR 201 as an alternative emergency route on Highway 97 is a high priority for local officials and political representatives, but as of now, construction works have not yet begun.
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