William R. Bennett Bridge
Thompson Okanagan
The centerpiece of a revitalized Okanagan road network, the William R. Bennett Bridge is boosting the economy and the quality of life in Kelowna and throughout the region.
One of few floating bridges in North America, this new five-lane structure replaces a half-century old three-lane bridge that was operating well over its capacity. The new bridge is elevated, allowing marine traffic on Okanagan Lake to pass, and provides improved access for cyclists and pedestrians.
The Bennett Bridge opened ahead of schedule in May 2008 and is now relieving congestion along Highway 97, which has been British Columbia’s most congested stretch of highway outside the Lower Mainland. An average of 46,000 vehicles travel on the corridor, and bridge traffic is expected to grow to more than 69,000 vehicles per day by 2017.
The successful completion of the William R. Bennett Bridge - one of many awe-inspiring bridge projects across British Columbia’s remarkably topography - demonstrates the vitality and exciting future potential of the Okanagan and all of B.C.
