British Columbia Highway 97C
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| Okanagan Connector Coquihalla Connector |
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| Route information | ||||
| Length: | 224 km (139 mi) | |||
| Existed: | 1990 – present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| East end: |
 BC 97 north of Peachland
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 BC 5A near Aspen Grove  BC 5 / BC 8 in Merritt BC 97D near Logan Lake BC 1 near Ashcroft
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| North end: |
BC 1 / BC 97 in Cache Creek
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| Location | ||||
| Districts: | Peachland, Logan Lake | |||
| Major cities: | Merritt | |||
| Villages: | Ashcroft, Cache Creek | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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British Columbia provincial highways
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British Columbia provincial highways
Highway 97C is an east-west highway, forming part of an important link between the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan Valley south of Kelowna, which is the third largest metropolitan area in the province. It bisects the Coquihalla Highway at Merritt. The expressway and freeway sections of the highway is known as Okanagan Connector or Coquihalla Connector. The section of Highway 97C is a core route of the National Highway System between Highway 5 and Highway 97.
Highway 97C is a relatively new route, commissioned on October 1, 1990, which is 224 km (139 mi) in total length, and was constructed as the third phase of the Coquihalla Highway Project. Construction was completed in 1990, with the cost totalling to $225 million in 1987 dollars ($373 million inflation adjusted 2009 dollars).
The route begins near Peachland, at a location on Highway 97 known as Drought Hill. The section of Highway 97C east of Merritt is 4 to 6 lanes expressway with a speed limit of 110 km/h (70 mph) and the section east of Aspen Grove is freeway with a speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph). Expressway and freeway sections have very few exits along its route. Its highest altitude is the Pennask Summit, 1,728 m (5,669 ft) above sea level. Highway 97C travels on this freeway 82 km (51 mi) northwest to Aspen Grove, where it converges with Highway 5A. This stretch is a four-lane rural arterial highway. Highways 97C and 5A share the 24 km (15 mi) long route between Aspen Grove and the Coquihalla Highway at Meritt, where Highway 5A continues northeast and Highway 8 begins.
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