Eckhardt Avenue Upgrades

Avoid driving to Penticton Secondary wherever possible and to consider using the ‘Kiss and Go’ drop-off zone on Main Street or the ‘Drive to Five’ location at the Penticton Library parking lot. 

If you need to drive to Penticton Secondary, be aware that access will only be available via Van Horne Street. Slow down, take extra caution and follow the signs, traffic flaggers and pavement markings within the school parking lot area. When leaving the school, drivers should again take extra caution, watch the signage and leave via Braid Street. 

Download a copy of the notice with map

Penticton Secondary Access Map (Starting Feb. 17, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Road Closure Map (Starting Feb. 16, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

Businesses are open as usual. Customers are advised to allow for extra time, slow down and follow the posted detours. Access to 360 Learning Academy will also be available from the high school, with a temporary pedestrian walkway in place out front.

Anyone visiting Pooch City Groomers, Sushi Genki + Ramen or Tempest Theatre can access the businesses via Ellis Street or on foot from Main Street. 

Please continue to support these fantastic businesses during construction. 

Road Closure Map (Starting Feb. 16, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Penticton Secondary Access Map (Starting Feb. 17, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

Starting on Monday, Feb. 16, vehicles travelling on Main Street will not be able to turn onto Eckhardt Avenue. We recognize the impact this may have on nearby residents and is taking steps to support safety in the area. Traffic signage, pavement markings, and traffic flaggers will be in place as required.

Important changes to flag:

• We will be encouraging parents/caregivers to use the ‘Kiss & Go’ drop-off area on Main Street, as well as the ‘Drive to Five’ set up at the Library parking lot. 
• For those vehicles that do need to access Penticton Secondary, they will be detoured to access the school via Van Horne Street and leave the parking lot via Braid Street. This ensures a circular flow, to avoid congestion.
• There are a few businesses that will be affected, at the corner of Ellis Street. We will have “Businesses open as usual” signage on-site and people will be able to access these businesses from Ellis Street or by foot from Main Street. 
• Residents can expect increased traffic volumes, particularly during school start and dismissal times

This specific traffic pattern is expected to remain in place until spring. While construction will continue in stages, Eckhardt Avenue is anticipated to remain closed in sections until fall 2026. The City will provide updates should traffic patterns or detours change.

This $5.5 million, multi year project will replace aging underground infrastructure and introduce traffic safety improvements as part of a “complete street” upgrade, benefiting the community and school area for years to come.

Anyone seeking project updates is invited to sign up for our email list.

Sign up for updates to your mailbox here

Road Closure Map (Starting Feb. 16, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Penticton Secondary Access Map (Starting Feb. 17, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

Please note these timelines are approximate, subject to change and weather permitting. Eckhardt Avenue is currently closed between Ellis and Government to allow for construction. 

Starting the week of Monday, Feb. 16, 2026: Watch for traffic changes throughout the area as the next phase of construction begins at Ellis Street and Eckhardt. Access to Eckhardt Avenue off Main Street will be closed, with traffic detours in place. This closure is required to allow for excavation and large equipment to upgrade water, storm and electrical infrastructure. In addition, multiple traffic safety improvements will be installed, including a flashing crosswalk beacon at Ellis Street and continuous sidewalks and bike lanes along the corridor.

Underway now: Work is largely completed between Eckhardt Avenue and Gahan, with the remaining work at the Gahan Ave intersection expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. 

2026 dates TBC: Construction will shift to the sections of Main to Ellis & Gahan to Government, with work occurring in multiple areas along Eckhardt Ave. Work will then continue east of the Government Street intersection for overall completion in fall 2026.
 

Traffic Detour Map (until Feb. 15, 2026)

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Large truck detour map

A separate detour is available for large trucks traveling to and from Naramata via Vancouver and Westminster Avenues.

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Penticton Secondary Access Map (Starting Feb. 17, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Road Closure Map (Starting Feb. 16, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

Construction is now underway on Eckhardt Avenue between Gahan Avenue and Government Street, with a no-through road closure along Eckhardt. This $5.5 million complete street project involves:

• Crosswalk safety upgrades at Ellis Street, Gahan Avenue and the KVR Walkway which includes improved lighting, crossing distance reductions, and enhanced marking and crossing features.
• Replacing cast iron water mains with PVC, along with water service upgrades 
• Hydrant spacing improvements 
• Storm water upgrades to address localized drainage issues 
• Increase catch basin coverage
• Install a curb-level bike lane (or sidewalk-level bike lane), consistent with Eckhardt Avenue west of Main Street. This will allow for connection between the existing Government Street lanes, KVR trail and Lake to Lake Route
• Electrical wiring upgrades, bringing overhead wiring underground
• New paving and line painting 
• Haywood Street: closing the entrance off Eckhardt 
• Ontario Street: closing the entrance off Eckhardt

The scope of this project begins at Government Street and finishes at Main Street, including directly in front of Penticton High School. The goal of this project is to replace aging and deficient underground infrastructure while improving transportation safety by creating distinct travel spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

This initiative aligns with goals identified in the Transportation Master Plan, the Climate Action Plan, as well as the Safe Routes to School program, which supports active transportation to reach the City's climate goals. It also supports the following Council Priorities:

• Safe and Resilient
• Livable and Accessible

View a detailed design plan of the project.

View design

Avoid driving to Penticton Secondary wherever possible and to consider using the ‘Kiss and Go’ drop-off zone on Main Street or the ‘Drive to Five’ location at the Penticton Library parking lot. 

If you need to drive to Penticton Secondary, be aware that as of Feb. 17, 2026, access will only be available via Van Horne Street. Slow down, take extra caution and follow the signs, traffic flaggers and pavement markings within the school parking lot area. When leaving the school, drivers should again take extra caution, watch the signage and leave via Braid Street. 

Download a copy of the notice with map

Penticton Secondary Access Map (Starting Feb. 17, 2026)

Image

Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Road Closure Map (Starting Feb. 16, 2026)

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

Plan ahead and be aware of how traffic will be impacted with construction ongoing along Eckhardt Avenue. Note that Jermyn Avenue is congested during peak school start and end times throughout construction. Anyone using this route should allow for extra time and be prepared for delays. Wherever possible, parents are encouraged to use Forestbrook Drive and Manitoba Street as alternative locations to park. 

Download a copy of the map here or view it below. 

Map of Pen High & KVR Elementary 

Download the map here or view it below. 

The main reason for this project is to replace or renew underground infrastructure which necessitates reconstruction of the entire roadway: our aging underground infrastructure as well as moving electrical utilities underground to provide more robust services for demands we’re seeing now and into the future. 

The street surface improvements were identified as part of the City’s Master Transportation Plan, and support the City’s Safe Routes to School initiative, and have been bundled with this project since the road has to be reconstructed anyway, and to lessen the amount of community impact by completing the upgrades all at once – also known as a complete street project. The bike lanes will be sidewalk level, not road level, separate and protected from vehicles, consistent with the existing raised bike lanes on Eckhardt Avenue west of Main Street.

Where properties have only one egress/ingress access onto Eckhardt Avenue, access to driveways will be maintained through construction. 

You may be required to detour to access your property. For example when coming from Government Street you may need to use Gahan Avenue rather than turning left onto Eckhardt Street. If in doubt, approach a traffic control person and they can assist.

 

For properties with only one driveway access on Eckhardt Avenue, waste collection will be maintained as usual. Collection trucks will also follow posted detours for resident access. If a change to collection is required by the contractor, impacted properties will be notified.

There will be no street parking available during construction and upon the project’s completion. Street parking is available, unrestricted, along Gahan Avenue, Haywood Street, Burns Street and Papineau Street.

The City will monitor the parking impacts in the neighbourhood following completion of the project and will evaluate if there is a need to expand the resident only parking area to include these streets.

Learn more about the resident parking program.

 

Traffic safety measures were requested by residents on this street to prevent short cutting and speeding. Ontario Street is a low volume residential road and should not be used to by-pass Government Street for through traffic. There are also incidents of drivers going around the meridian and turning left to access Government Street, which is illegal. The closure will make this section much safer for all road users.  The City has engaged with directly impacted residents and emergency services.  

Currently the flashing traffic light will remain as is. City staff will monitor the traffic volumes and movements once the project is complete and will determine whether a full traffic signal is required.

Consultation has been ongoing since 2024 with city-wide opportunities, as well as targeted engagement with residents living directly along the corridor. Similarly, targeted engagement with residents on Ontario Street. Emergency services have also been consulted as part of this work.

• Feb. 3, 2026: Watch for traffic changes near Penticton Secondary for next phase of Eckhardt Avenue construction
• Dec. 11, 2025: Eckhardt Avenue construction continues due to mild weather
• Aug. 25, 2025: Back to school tips during Eckhardt Avenue construction
• Aug.14, 2025: Eckhardt Avenue complete street upgrades begin
• Aug. 1, 2025: Major infrastructure upgrades and complete street improvements coming to Eckhardt Avenue

For questions about the underground infrastructure upgrades or road surface improvements, contact the Engineering Department. To make a suggestion or report a concern, please use our online form.

Engineering Department
Phone: 250-490-2521
Email: engineering@penticton.ca