Second bridge not part of Central Okanagan transportation strategy

A 20-year strategy is being rolled out to improve transportation in the Central Okanagan, but a second crossing of Okanagan Lake is not included.

The Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy (CO-ITS), published Thursday, Sept. 28, aims to improve transportation options from Lake Country to Peachland.

“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.

“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.”

The report did not recommend that a second crossing of Okanagan Lake be built further north of the existing Harvey Ave. bridge.

The report stated it would be very costly to build a second bridge and would create significant impacts to the Westside Road and McKinley Landing area on the west side of the lake.

However, another option was said to be “likely feasible” to widen the bridge to six lanes, three in either direction, providing an opportunity for dedicated HOV and/or transit lanes across the bridge during peak hours.

The priority recommendations in the CO-ITS mainly involved work on Highway 97.

Those key items included improvements to the Commonwealth Rd. and Glenmore/Beaver Lake corridor in Lake Country; extension of Clement Ave. in Kelowna; completion of the Boucherie Rd. and Westlake Rd. interchanges; removal of the Highway 97 couplet in West Kelowna; and intersection improvements in Peachland.

Transit and active transportation are also addressed in the report.

It was recommended that the a regional transit structure review be undertaken, which can then lead to route enhancements, establishing mobility hubs, and making public transit on Highway 97 more prevalent.

On the active transportation side, the CO-ITS prioritizes the development and expansion of the Okanagan Rail Trail, Westside Trail and Bertram Multi-Use Overpass.

The 20 year transportation strategy was compiled based on numerous studies conducted between 2018 and 2021.