Central Okanagan roads study official but still has no action plan
A major transportation study for the Central Okanagan was officially released today, Sept. 28, by the province.
It contains priorities like the elimination of the one-way couplet and building of interchanges at Boucherie and Westlake Roads in West Kelowna, intersection improvements in Peachland and Lake Country, the extension of Clement Avenue in Kelowna and a possible sixth lane added to the Bennett bridge across Okanagan Lake.
“This exciting vision for the future of transportation in the Central Okanagan is the result of extensive collaboration with local governments and First Nations,” Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said in a news release. “It provides a clear path forward for the Province and communities to work together to make good land-use decisions, improve roads, enhance public transit, promote active transportation and support a healthier environment.”
What it doesn’t contain are any timelines or budgets for any of these projects.
The Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy was presented to the various municipal councils in the region last spring. Councils were told it will take time to design and budget for the priority projects with no timelines set.
That work remains to be done.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
