The City of Penticton reminds residents and businesses that Eckhardt Avenue is entering the next phase of a major infrastructure upgrade, marking a key step in the final stretch of this project.
Beginning July 6, the intersection of Eckhardt Avenue and Government Street will be fully closed for two weeks to complete essential underground work, including replacing aging watermains, upgrading electrical infrastructure and installing new traffic signals.
At this time, a large section of Eckhardt Avenue (between Main Street and Gahan Avenue) will reopen to the public, with access restored on Ellis Street. In addition, the road closure associated with a downtown housing project at Wade Avenue at Martin Street will also wrap up this week.
The short-term closure at Eckhardt and Government is required to keep the project on schedule. Completing this work now will allow the corridor to be available in time for the start of the school year, with full project completion expected later this fall as planned. While the City considered alternative timing options, including delaying the work until late summer or fall, these options carried significant risks to the schedule, including potential disruption of school operations.
The City recognizes this work is an inconvenience for those who live, work and travel in the area, and sincerely thanks the community for its continued patience. There is never a good time to close a key intersection in the City, and the City carefully considers all factors and groups involved.
Local businesses remain open and ready to welcome visitors. Residents and travellers are encouraged to continue supporting shops, services and restaurants, and to explore nearby destinations, including wineries and fruit stands along the Upper Bench wine loop and the Naramata Bench.
Additional work at Government Street and Forestbrook Drive will take place at the same time to minimize overall disruption, using the same detour routes.
The overall $5.5-million project remains on track for completion in late fall 2026, improving safety and strengthening critical infrastructure for years to come.
For updates, visit penticton.ca/eckhardt.
