William R. Bennett Bridge

The William R. Bennett Bridge is a floating road bridge that crosses Okanagan Lake, spanning approximately 1 kilometer. Nine concrete pontoons support the elevated roadway that carries Highway 97.

The bridge opened in 2008 to replace the 1958 Okanagan Lake Bridge, which could not handle growing traffic demands. The replacement became necessary to better serve the region's expanding transportation needs.

The bridge bears the name of Bill Bennett, a former British Columbia premier who shaped regional development. His name reminds visitors of the province's political past.

Highway 97 crosses the bridge with five lanes of traffic flowing in both directions. Pedestrians and cyclists have access to a separate pathway to safely reach the opposite shore.

This is Canada's only floating bridge, engineered to handle water depths exceeding 250 meters and challenging ground conditions. The design demonstrates an uncommon approach that allows the structure to adapt to lake conditions.

Location: Kelowna

Location: West Kelowna

Inception: May 25, 2008

Official opening: May 25, 2008

Height: 18 m

Length: 1,060 m

GPS coordinates: 49.87962,-119.51074

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52