West Kelowna: Elliott Road exchange gets nod of approval from council

Three members of council’s opinion that further consideration is needed to determine an appropriate Westbank centre Bus Rapid Transit exchange wasn’t enough as four councillors approved the revised concept for a transit exchange at Elliott Road.

Mike Davis, vice president of operations and chief operating officer with B.C. Transit, recommended that council approve the Elliott Road exchange proposal.

He noted that the initial option for an exchange on Elliott Road did not have left turn lanes: A feature that is present in the revised concept.

He explained that alternative solutions were to put the Bus Rapid Transit exchange on Dobbin Road, adjacent to existing stops, or to construct the exchange on Hebert Road.

Mayor Doug Findlater told Davis that he is worried traffic will be too backed up on Elliott Road at certain times to make it a reasonable location for an exchange.

“I would submit, from what I’ve seen, there would be times when the traffic is backed up the full length of the block . . . your buses would have a very hard time turning off the highway into that block because of the way it’s backed up,” said Findlater.

Coun. Carol Zanon said that she didn’t see the Elliott Road option as something that is “suitable for the community.”

“I think that there are going to be complaints forever and (residents) will be getting us to look at another spot to move it in a few years. I think this needs some further consideration,” said Zanon.

Findlater’s sentiments echoed Zanon’s.

“I think this is a huge mistake from a traffic perspective . . . I think if we do this, we’ll be regretting it. So will our residents; we’ll be hearing from them,” said Findlater.

Coun. Duane Ophus said that the Elliott Road exchange is the best option that has been presented to council.

“I think everybody realizes that this is a difficult decision,” said Ophus.

“For me, the answer is to pay attention to the people that we’ve hired . . . (and) accept their professional expertise. The Elliott concept is really the only choice that we have.

“Putting this infrastructure into Westbank centre is one of the most important steps that we can, must and will take in terms of Westbank centre revitalization.”

Council voted four to three in favour of approving the revised concept for the transit exchange on Elliott Road. Coun. Winsby, Zanon and Mayor Findlater were opposed.

Council also, unanimously, approved the Bus Rapid Transit exchange proposal at Westgate Road for the Boucherie exchange.

wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com