West Kelowna council liked what it heard in an update on the Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Study.
Representatives with Parsons Corporation told council at its May 23 meeting that the removal of the couplet through Westbank Centre, and moving Highway 97 to Dobbin Road, is in the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure (MOTI) plans.
“Our community has been wanting this for a long time,” said Coun. Stephen Johnston. “To hear you say it’s feasible to have the highway come through there is wonderful news.”
Preliminary plans would see Dobbin turned into four lanes and Main Street reverted to a local street. Dobbin is currently one-way and part of Highway 97 South, and Main is one-way and part of Highway 97 North.
Council was also pleased to hear about transit improvements which would have the Boucherie and Shannon Lake routes extended across W.R. Bennett Bridge into Kelowna.
“It would provide a much more reliable time frame for Westsiders to get to work in downtown Kelowna,” said Coun. Jason Friesen.
MOTI also has plans to add a third transit-only lane to the bridge.
“I happy to hear the commitment to improve transit service,” added Coun. Jonston. “I really don’t think ridership will increase until service does.”
Several councillors asked about the possibility of removing traffic lights on the Kelowna side of the bridge, such as the one at Abbott Street. Council heard that the scenario was considered, and was told that removing a set of lights at one intersection would just push traffic congestion to the next intersection.
Mayor Gord Milsom noted that a pedestrian overpass at Daimler Road, over Highway 97, was also on the list of projects.
“I’ve always been concerned about the students crossing the highway from Constable Neil Bruce Middle School.”
However, that project is likely several years away from being potentially built.
READ MORE: Where’s the money? Kelowna-Lake Country MLA wants more investment in transportation
@GaryBarnes109
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