Anyone travelling through Penticton, Naramata and the South Okanagan this Sunday is reminded to expect extensive road closures and delays during the Okanagan Granfondo event. The City is issuing this second public notice to alert all residents and visitors about the upcoming traffic impacts, including recent route changes affecting travel between Naramata and Penticton.
Drivers are recommended to use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible. Watch for flaggers, allow extra time and know where to cross Main Street, if required (listed below).
Penticton to Naramata Bench loop
Due to a route change as a result of the Summerland landslide, the new route will involve a road closure between Naramata and Penticton on Sunday morning. Anyone planning to travel between these communities at that time is advised to wait until after 9 a.m. This will affect anyone planning to travel to the Campbell Mountain Landfill, Three Blind Mice trails and Munson Mountain, as well as travellers from Naramata heading into Penticton.
The road closures begin at 5 a.m. along Lakeshore Drive and Main Street, with riders travelling up Vancouver Avenue and Lower Bench Road toward Naramata, to Corbishley Avenue. They will loop back along Upper Bench Road North, returning via Johnson Road and Haven Hill Road, down Eckhardt Avenue. This circuit is expected to be cleared by 8:30 a.m.
Main Street / Lee Avenue / Eastside Road / Skaha Lake Road
Main Street will be closed all day until 3:30 p.m., with the busiest time being in the morning before 9 a.m. After completing the loop above, participants will ride down Main Street and Skaha Lake Road to Lee Avenue, toward Eastside Road and onwards to Okanagan Falls. From Okanagan Falls, riders will split into their chosen routes taking them to Osoyoos, Oliver or Kaleden, before winding back via Hwy 97 to Skaha Lake Road and Main Street. Riders will return to the finish line at Gyro Park from as early as 8:30 a.m.
Where to cross Main Street
If you are driving and need to cross Main Street, here are the locations where you can cross with the assistance of flaggers:
- Lakeshore Drive (after 8 a.m.)
- Eckhardt Avenue (after 8:30 a.m.)
- Duncan Avenue
- Industrial Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Green Avenue (at Skaha Lake Road)
- Yorkton Avenue (at Skaha Lake Road)
Reminder to hotels
Hotel managers and owners are advised to notify their guests about the road closures on Sunday morning and direct them to the City’s website at penticton.ca/granfondo. If guests have questions about getting around, they can also call the City’s Call Centre, at 250-490-2345.
Additional tips for race day
- Do your shopping and errands in advance.
- Expect delays. Allow extra time if you need to go across town.
- Flying out that day? Allow extra time to get to the airport.
- Catching the bus? BC Transit does have some transit detours, with details at bctransit.com.
- Participate in the fun. You can volunteer or simply head down to cheer on the participants!
- Be patient and kind with athletes, volunteers, flaggers, fans and event organizers. They are all doing their best to make it a great event.
Road closures on Saturday, July 8
The City is also reminding residents that Lakeshore Drive between Winnipeg Street and Riverside Drive will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Kids’ Piccolofondo event. Main Street from Lakeshore Drive to Westminster Avenue will remain closed until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 9.
Have questions?
For maps and further details, visit penticton.ca/granfondo. The City is also setting up a temporary Call Centre on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take questions related to road closures, available at 250-490-2345.