B.C. develops 20-year transportation strategy for Central Okanagan

KELOWNA, B.C. – The government of British Columbia’s ministry of transportation and infrastructure has released a report outlining a comprehensive transportation strategy for the Central Okanagan between Lake Country and Peachland.

The Central Okanagan Integrated Transportation Strategy (CO-ITS) focuses on integrated land use including creating hubs for employment, shopping, recreation and housing, the releasee said.

“This exciting vision for the future of transportation in the Central Okanagan is the result of extensive collaboration with local governments and First Nations. 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,” provincial ministry of transportation and infrastructure Rob Fleming said.

The strategy recommends development of several priority projects for Highway 97, including:

• intersection improvements in Peachland;
• removal of the Highway 97 Couplet in West Kelowna;
• completion of the Boucherie Road and Westlake Road interchanges;
• extension of Clement Avenue in Kelowna; and
• improvements to the Commonwealth Road and Glenmore\Beaver Lake corridor in Lake Country.

The City of Kelowna looks forward to working with the province to advance priority projects identified in the plan. As the fastest growing region in the province, we are eager for the province to implement improvements and collaborate on operations to make it easier for residents to move throughout the community and region and drive our economy forward,” Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas said.

The full report is available here.