Green Avenue Traffic Safety Improvements

The City of Penticton is investing in safety along Green Avenue. This high-traffic corridor is home to two schools and a new daycare, as well as one of the City’s top collision locations at the intersection of Skaha Lake Road.

The recent conversion of Skaha Lake Elementary school has added approximately 400 children aged five to 12 to the area, alongside the opening of a new on-site daycare with 80 spaces. As a result, more children, parents and caregivers are walking, using mobility devices and crossing Skaha Lake Road each day.

This project supports the findings of the Safe Routes to School study for Skaha Elementary, as well as the City’s Transportation Master Plan, both of which identify this area as a priority for safety improvements.

Watch this page for the latest updates.

Project Overview

The project includes safety improvements such as shorter crossings, slower speeds and better access for all, making it safer for kids, families and everyone travelling through the area.

Construction will begin on Green Avenue, west of Skaha Lake Road, with work near the schools scheduled during the summer school holiday to reduce impacts.

The project includes a combination of rapid safety improvements on Green Avenue and at Skaha Lake Road, including:
Project Highlights
- Street design changes on Green Avenue will create a safer, more comfortable route for vulnerable road users, particularly families and students. In some sections, the active mobility lane will be buffered from vehicular traffic by on‑street parking, which provides additional separation and protection.
- Intersection changes at Skaha Lake Road and Green Avenue to begin the transformation of the Skaha Lake Road corridor from a highway design to an urban design, including shortened pedestrian crossings, revised signal operation, and enhanced safety for all users
- Accessibility upgrades will include adding audible pedestrian signals and leading pedestrian intervals (people walking and wheeling get a head start before vehicle traffic).
- Minor bus stop adjustments to better serve transit users, including the use of “floating” bus stops where appropriate.
- Parking will be maintained on the south side of Green Avenue from Skaha Lake Road to Green Court.
This work is being completed using a rapid implementation approach, allowing these upgrades to be delivered faster and at a lower cost.
Construction will begin May 4, 2026 on Green Avenue, west of Skaha Lake Road. Please slow down, follow posted signage and watch for crews when travelling through the area.
Work near the schools on Green Avenue is scheduled during the summer school holiday to reduce impacts. The City is reaching out to residents and businesses in the area.

Working Hours
Start date: May 4, 2026
End date: Late summer, 2026
Hours: Mon–Fri: 7:00AM–5:00PM
Extended hours may occur within permitted times (up to 10:00PM weekdays; 9:00AM to 5:00PM weekends).
Schedules may change due to weather, material delays, or unforeseen underground conditions.
Work will be conducted along Green Avenue between Paris Street and Green Court – to make walking, rolling and school travel safer.

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Click here to view maps and drawings showing the planned Green Avenue traffic safety improvements.
Click here to view future plans for the Skaha Lake Road corridor. This shows how the intersection will align with future plans for the corridor.
This letter has been mailed out to neighbours.
On Green Avenue, east of Skaha Lake Road, on‑street parking will be retained on the south side of the street.
- Approximately 35 parking spaces will remain available, compared to roughly 39 that exist today.
- A City parking audit found that approximately 10 to 20 spaces were typically in use at various times of day.
- Parking is being kept on one side only to maintain a consistent, straight roadway alignment.
To discourage shortcutting through nearby neighbourhoods, the City has completed Friendly Streets initiatives in surrounding residential areas, which include physical traffic safety measures and a target speed of 30 km/h.
Can I park on the street?
During construction, on-street parking will not be permitted within the construction area. Once construction is complete, parking will be permitted on the south side of the street, in designated areas.
Will I have access to my home?
Temporary access may be impacted during certain construction activities; however, access will be maintained as much as possible. You will be notified of any impact to access your home in advance.
Will mail and garbage services be affected?
These services will continue with minimal disruption. Please follow any temporary signage or crew instructions.
Want to learn more?
There will also be a City of Penticton Council Open House on May 6, 2026, running from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, where staff will be available to answer questions.

FAQ

The recent conversion of Skaha Lake Elementary school has added approximately 400 children aged five to 12 to the area, alongside the opening of a new on-site daycare with 80 spaces. As a result, more children, parents and caregivers are walking, using mobility devices and crossing Skaha Lake Road each day.
Improve safety for everyone on the roads
The changes support recommendations from the City’s Safe Routes to School Plan for Skaha Lake Elementary and the City’s Master Transportation Plan, both of which identify this area as a priority for safety improvements.
The Green Avenue and Skaha Lake Road intersection has been identified by the School District as the top safety priority to support these school changes. Green Avenue is also an important east-west connection, linking the Lake to Lake Route with the Channel Pathway, and many amenities in between, and is already used by many people travelling between these key community destinations.
One of Penticton's top collision locations
This intersection has a history of collisions, and improving safety for everyone – whether walking, rolling or driving – is a key City priority. The project also aligns with the City’s Official Community Plan and Community Climate Action Plan by supporting healthy travel choices, safer school areas and a more connected community.

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Construction is scheduled to begin on May 4, 2026, on the west side of Skaha lake Road.
- Work will be phased over approximately four to eight months, with work starting west of Skaha Lake Road. The work east of Skaha Lake Road will commence once school is out for summer break.
- Some elements, such as line painting and select crosswalk improvements, may occur separately from intersection construction.
- Temporary traffic changes and minor delays should be expected during construction.
The City has consulted with emergency responders to ensure emergency access is maintained throughout the project.
Project Highlights
- Street design changes on Green Avenue will create a safer, more comfortable route for vulnerable road users, particularly families and students. In some sections, the active mobility lane will be buffered from vehicular traffic by on‑street parking, which provides additional separation and protection.
- Intersection changes at Skaha Lake Road and Green Avenue to begin the transformation of the Skaha Lake Road corridor from a highway design to an urban design, including shortened pedestrian crossings, revised signal operation, and enhanced safety for all users
- Accessibility upgrades will include adding audible pedestrian signals and leading pedestrian intervals (people walking and wheeling get a head start before vehicle traffic).
- Minor bus stop adjustments to better serve transit users, including the use of “floating” bus stops where appropriate.
- Parking will be maintained on the south side of Green Avenue from Skaha Lake Road to Green Court.
Skaha Lake Road was constructed to a highway standard back when it served as part of Highway 97. This means travel lanes are wider and more numerous than are needed today, which encourages higher vehicle speeds and overall reduced safety for all road users.
Narrowing the intersection will:
- Reduce pedestrian crossing distances
- Lower vehicle speeds
- Reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions
As an example, the average pedestrian crossing time (the time they are exposed to vehicular traffic) at this intersection is expected to be reduced from approximately 24 seconds to 15 seconds.
The City retained a transportation consultant to assess how these changes would affect traffic operations. The analysis found that the intersection will continue to operate with good mobility performance, both now and into the future.
If traffic patterns change over time, there is sufficient space to extend the southbound left‑turn lane in the future. The City is also exploring the addition of advanced left‑turn signals (green arrows) to further improve safety.

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On Green Avenue, east of Skaha Lake Road, on‑street parking will be retained on the south side of the street.
- Approximately 35 parking spaces will remain available, compared to roughly 39 that exist today.
- A City parking audit found that approximately 10 to 20 spaces were typically in use at various times of day.
- Parking is being kept on one side only to maintain a consistent, straight roadway alignment.
To discourage shortcutting through nearby neighbourhoods, the City has completed Friendly Streets initiatives in surrounding residential areas, which include physical traffic safety measures and a target speed of 30 km/h.
Can I park on the street?
During construction, on-street parking will not be permitted within the construction area. Once construction is complete, parking will be permitted on the south side of the street, in designated areas.
Will I have access to my home?
Temporary access may be impacted during certain construction activities; however, access will be maintained as much as possible. You will be notified of any impact to access your home in advance.
Work in front of the school and daycare will occur during summer break. For those still accessing these facilities, their parking lot will be maintained. Temporary closures may limit the parking lot access to one entrance or direction at a time. Alternative drop-off locations will be available in the interim:
    - ‘Kiss & Go’ stations as signed along Green Avenue
    - ‘Drive to Five’ option at Arnott Pl or Waterford Ave
    - Seniors Drop-In Centre parking lot
    - A ‘walking school bus’ (click for sign-up info)
Through the Safe Routes to School program, the City and School District are working to reduce congestion directly in front of schools by encouraging safer, more active travel options. These include:
- “Drive to Five” locations, where families can park a short walk away
- “Kiss and Go” drop‑off areas for quick stops
- A Walking School Bus program operated by the Penticton Safety Village, which will use the Green Avenue route
Families are encouraged to consider these options during the school year.

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Green Avenue Traffic Safety Improvements

Project Overview

Working Hours

FAQ

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