Highway 5A is Highway 5's pre-1986 alignment south of Kamloops. Unlike the four-six lane Highway 5 freeway, the 182 km long Highway 5A is only two lanes, with one four lane section between Highway 5 and Highway 97C approximately running for 23 km.
Route details
Starting at the junction of the Crowsnest Highway in Princeton, Highway 5A goes through of undeveloped land north to its junction with the Okanagan Connector at Aspen Grove. Past Aspen Grove, Highway 5A and Highway 97C travel in a shared designation northwest for 23 km in a four lane alignment before intersecting the Coquihalla Highway 5 and Highway 8 at Merritt. After a gap, Highway 5A continues north northeast for 89 km, passing through the community of Quilchena, before terminating within Kamloops at its junction with Highways 5, 1 and 97. Highway 5A used to circle through Merritt for 7 km, following Nicola Street and Voght Street, to its second crossover of Highway 5 in the north area of Merritt; however, it was dropped by the province in 2008. The two segments can be access by either traveling through Merritt or following Highway 5. Highway 5A is often considered to be a back country highway due to its low traffic volumes and features unusual to highways. Highway 5A between Aspen Grove and Merritt saw major upgrades in the late 1980s to prepare for the opening of the Okanagan Connector, but still remained two lanes for several years after. When the Okanagan Connector opened on October 1, 1990, the Hamilton Hill section was moved to a new four lane alignment north of the former route. Controversial plans once called for the Okanagan Connector to continue past Aspen Grove and Highway 5A to meet with Highway 5 south of Merritt. When it became apparent that this extension was unlikely, the highway was four lanes in stages from Aspen Grove to the Hamilton HillBrake Check. Although upgraded for Okanagan Connector traffic, Highway 5A from Aspen Grove to Merritt is not considered to be a freeway, due to its numerous at-grade intersections and undivided nature. The speed limit on this stretch is 110 km/h, which is 10 km/h lower than both the Okanagan Connector and the Coquihalla Highways.
