Rule on the Elevated Highway
There has been much discussion lately about the elevated highway proposal for Highway 97. If elected to Council, I would be interested in reviewing this proposal.
With Highway 97 now designated a federal highway, there is the possibility of additional funds for improvements from the federal government, in addition to the province. I would be interested in costing the proposal from the bridge all the way to Sexsmith Road - a 50 to 100 year solution. I would also like to see a new artist's rendering of the proposal that shows the sight lines and open space for the elevated highway, as well as the on/off ramps. Finally, I feel that if this proposal were to move forward, I would like to see Harvey Avenue below the elevated highway narrowed and made more pedestrian friendly between Abbott and Gordon.
To this point there has been no serious review of this proposal, as it fell outside of the mandate of the Roads Task Force. The Task Force was created to look at a short-term (10 to 15 years), low cost option to the one-way couplet in order to meet the requirements for the City's Memorandum of Understanding with the Province for the new bridge.
posted by Michele Rule @ 5:37 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Regarding Hwy 97.
There is no need for the hiway to go through Kelowna at all! IT costs lives every year and creates frustration for travellers wanting to get on their way.
Make the hiway follow the westside road and emege at Vernon.
Get all that through traffic off the streets!
Adele
Thank you for your comment, Adele. While another route from the Westside to Vernon would be an optionfor through traffic, the 2003 provincial study of bridge traffic showed that 91% of east bound trips over the bridge had Kelowna as their destination. So there is still a need to look at other options for Highway 97.
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/WilliamRBennettBridge/reports/OLB_Comprehensive_Traffic_Report.pdf
You have our vote Michele
Thank you very much for your support.
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