West Kelowna city councillors met with B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone today, to discuss transportation concerns in the city.
The meeting happened at the Union of BC Municipalities annual convention, and saw West Kelowna representatives push for continued collaboration with the provincial government as the Okanagan Lake second crossing project moves forward.
“We’re saying to the province that we want to be informed as topics are being considered and what solutions are being proposed regarding a second corridor and crossing,” said West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater.
“We are subject matter experts as it pertains to transportation throughout our community and believe that we could shine a lot of light on this study as it develops.”
Councillors also brought up ongoing concerns about the Highway 97 couplet through Westbank Centre. They argued that the pair of one-way streets through the city is hurting commercial activity.
They asked for funding towards a socio-economic impact study of the removal of Highway 97 through Westbank Centre.
“We know it will be an expensive undertaking, but with all things considered, like the potential of a second crossing, and the struggles our downtown business community is facing, we know this change is needed and a study that clearly shows how the Couplet is negatively impacting our economy would be very enlightening. We hope to hear soon if this is something they will help us undertake,” Findlater said.
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