 The highway is designated as a core route of Canada's National Highway System for its entire length.Highway 97B was originally part of Highway 5 until 1953 when it was renumbered to Highway 97A.In 1957, the highway became Highway 97E, but was again renumbered in 1962 to its current designation when Highway 97E (now Highway 97A) was re-aligned to southwest of Sicamous.