Eckhardt Avenue Upgrades

Please note these timelines are approximate, subject to change and weather permitting. 

Underway (Updated June 30, 2026): Construction is now entering the final stages on the west side of Eckhardt, including at Main Street and Ellis Street. Roads within this section – including Ellis Street – will reopen to the public in early July as construction shifts to the eastern portion of Eckhardt Avenue.

Starting July 6, 2026: The next significant phase will take place at the intersection of Eckhardt Avenue and Government Street. This includes major upgrades to watermains, electrical and traffic signals, and will require the intersection to be fully closed for approximately two weeks. 

Summer/fall: The remaining phase of construction is planned later this summer and into the fall for the section of Eckhardt Avenue from Government to Ontario Street. The overall project remains on track for completion in late fall 2026.
 

Road Detour Map Beginning July 6, 2026

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Beginning July 6, the intersection of Eckhardt Avenue and Government Street will be fully closed for approximately two weeks to accommodate underground infrastructure work that requires large excavations. 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.

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.

Heading to Naramata or the wineries? Access from Vancouver Avenue (Vancouver Hill). 

Road Detour Map Beginning July 6, 2026

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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

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

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View a detailed design plan of the project.

View design

The City recognizes that this large and complex project has been disruptive for businesses, residents, the school community and those travelling through the area, and thanks the public for their continued patience. 

Please continue to show the businesses on Eckhardt Avenue and Ellis Street support, which remain open during construction.

Heading to Naramata? 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. Access these businesses via Vancouver Avenue. 

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Update (June 30, 2026):  Eckhardt Avenue between Main Street and Gahan Avenue as well as the side streets (including Ellis Street) will fully open to the public in early July, before work begins at Eckhardt and Government. 

Beginning July 6, 2026): The intersection of Eckhardt Avenue and Government Street will be fully closed for approximately two weeks to accommodate underground infrastructure work that requires large excavations.

Heading to Naramata or the wineries? Access from Vancouver Avenue (Vancouver Hill). 

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

Sign up for updates to your mailbox here

Road Detour Map Beginning July 6, 2026

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Businesses are open as usual. Ellis Street will fully reopen by early July, as well as the access to Eckhardt off Main Street. 

Update (June 30, 2026): This section of Eckhardt Avenue and the side streets between Main Street and Gahan Avenue will fully open to the public in early July, before work begins at Eckhardt and Government. 

We recognize that this large and complex project has been disruptive for businesses, residents, the school community and those travelling through the area, and we extend our gratitude to the public for their continued patience. 

Update (June 24, 2026): Eckhardt Avenue in front of the school will fully open to the public in early July, before work begins at Eckhardt and Government. 

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 to the school is 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 

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map

Road Closure Map until early July

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Download a copy of this drop-off zone map
 

• June 30, 2026: Final stretch begins: Eckhardt Avenue closure starts July 6
• June 24, 2026: Construction season builds momentum as City conducts major upgrades to roads and water systems
• June 5, 2026: Update on Eckhardt Avenue construction
• March 10, 2026: Watch for delays at Eckhardt Avenue in coming days
• 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

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.

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