City drives for highway improvements

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 28, 2008

Vernon’s mayor is optimistic the provincial government will take action on escalating traffic congestion. Wayne Lippert met with Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon in Victoria Thursday to discuss much-needed improvements to highways 97 and 6 in Vernon. “It was one of the more positive meetings I’ve had,” said Lippert. “We went through our five-year transportation plan and they are definitely interested and talking about it. We didn’t get a definite yes but they are looking at it.” Among the possible improvements are installing more left-turn lanes on 32nd Street (Highway 97) and placing restrictions on turning at some intersections. There is also the question of what to do at 32nd Street and 25th Avenue, next to Polson Park. “That’s the intersection that gets the most congested,” said Lippert. No potential timelines were established by Falcon. “All we can do is wait and see what the decision will be,” said Lippert.

Coun. Barry Beardsell recently suggested that the city close 27th Street off to transport trucks as a way of bringing Vernon’s traffic issues to the attention of the government. Lippert says the issue of shutting down 27th Street to large trucks was discussed with Falcon, but the concept didn’t go over well. “It would cause more grief for us than them,” said Lippert of the large transport trucks being forced on to side roads and further increasing the congestion on 32nd Street. But there was some discussion Thursday about the provincial government possibly taking on some responsibilities for 27th Street. “There could be some value for the highway system,” said Lippert.The city owns and maintains 27th Street but it is used as a connector between highways 97 and 6.

Traffic congestion in the North and Central Okanagan cost about $200 million per year, according to a report released Friday by the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and the City of Kelowna. The study states that more than 48 per cent of excess delays are in Central Kelowna, followed by 22.7 per cent in suburban Kelowna and 18.2 per cent in Vernon. It also found that excess commuting costs to and from work in the region are estimated at $521 per year per car commuter. The greatest cost is in the Central Kelowna, followed by Vernon. By 2030, the costs are estimated to reach $802 per car region-wide. “Costs attributed to reduced speeds and congestion amount to $22.7 million per year for auto travel and 2.9 million per year for truck travel. This is estimated to rise to $42 million and $6 million respectively in 2030. Congestion reduces employment in the region by 935 jobs, rising to 1,619 in 2030.”