Despite ongoing closures and lengthy wait times on Highway 97 between the South Okanagan and Kelowna, the Ministry of Transportation remains firm that it is not looking at adding another paved route for the Okanagan. Local MLAs have long been asking for the ministry to add safety improvements to the highway and upgrade the 201 Forest Service Road connecting the east side of Penticton to Kelowna as a usable emergency route. While improvements were made to the 201 Forest Service Road … some are still cautious about using it, since it is not paved and is an active logging road. Last week, Highway 97 was closed in both directions at the site of a wildfire south of Peachland. Travellers were advised to detour using Highway 97C to Highway 5A, or Highway 33 to Highway 3, which adds a few hours onto their travel. …Penticton-Peachland MLA Dan Ashton said a secondary route going to the Okanagan Valley is long overdue.