Bye-bye given to western bypass

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - June 11, 2008

Emotions ran high as Vernon’s proposed bypass was permanently shelved. In a 3-2 vote, council scrapped plans for the western bypass and decided, instead, to tackle long-term traffic issues through aggressive transportation demand management, such as transit, walking and bicycling. “The majority of people do not want the western bypass and I’m reflecting that,” said Coun. Patrick Nicol, who teamed up with Mayor Wayne Lippert and Coun. Pat Cochrane to vote against the staff-recommended bypass. In favour of protecting land for a bypass were Councillors Barry Beardsell and Juliette Cunningham. “Once you remove the protection, it (corridor) is gone forever,” said Beardsell. “It leaves a viable option on the table. Don’t turn this city into a disaster like the City of Kelowna and its transportation.” Cunningham pointed out that future generations, not current council, will have to deal with the fallout from Monday’s decision. “Down the road, it (corridor protection) leaves options and that’s important,” she said.

However, Cochrane fired back, insisting that some parts of the bypass plan, such as a Scott Road extension, could still proceed, and future councils could still protect rights-of-way. “We aren’t shutting off all of the options,” he said. Lippert fears that setting a corridor aside could negatively impact residents living along the proposed route. “I can’t support something that sterilizes someone’s land and devalues their property,” he said. Under aggressive transportation demand management, a major financial investment would be required in transit and pedestrian paths as a way of getting people out of cars. It could also include the elimination of all free parking in the city, and significant increases in parking fees. “With TDM, congestion levels would be comparable to the west bypass option,” said Lorne Holowachuk, senior transportation engineer. Beardsell, though, isn’t convinced that alternate transportation methods will be effective.“If these assumptions are wrong and the land we want is gone, what do we do then?” he said.

Residents opposed to the western bypass welcome council’s decision. “The public, and the majority of council, have now realized that the proposed western bypass, as presented by city staff, was seriously flawed,” said Jane Weixl, with the Western Corridor Impact Assessment Committee. “I am very pleased that council is now focussing its attention on ensuring that Vernon residents have alternatives to using single occupancy vehicles. Transportation, as we know it, will change dramatically in the next 10 to 25 years and with this decision council has shown real vision. Council is being proactive in tackling transportation issues while preserving valuable agricultural land, valuable grasslands and green space.” However, members of the Western Bypass Now Committee are questioning council’s actions. “We want ecological transportation but we are concerned the decision will have an impact on the city,” said James Love, committee spokesman. Love believes that the lack of a bypass will lead to increased congestion on 32nd and 27th streets and that will push vehicles on to side streets like Pleasant Valley Road. “The traffic has to go somewhere. East Hill will be impacted significantly.” Love is also concerned that high-level traffic on 32nd and 27th streets will also make it difficult to revitalize downtown and encourage people to live there. Coun. Jack Gilroy was absent from Monday’s meeting, while Coun. Buffy Baumbrough declared a conflict of interest because her family’s farm could be impacted by a bypass.