Readers want a bypass

by Nicholas Johansen CASTANET - Sep 24, 2015 / 4:00 pm
Castanet readers have strong opinions about the need for a second Okanagan Lake bridge or a bypass. Our reader Question of the Day on Wednesday prompted a giant response from readers – almost 5,000 took the time to vote in the survey. The poll asked: “What's more important – a second Okanagan Lake bridge or a bypass?” The clear choice from readers was a new bypass, at 50.6 per cent. The second-largest block (28.7 per cent) thought the Central Okanagan needs both. Only 16.9 per cent of readers felt a new bridge was the best choice. “We need both. The second bridge should lead to a bypass of both Kelowna and West Kelowna,” reader ‘bgrigg’ commented. A mere 3.8 per cent responded that neither are needed. Some commenters thought a bypass would hurt business in the area. “If you have a bypass, then all the malls will move to the edge of town and suck the life out of the business district,” wrote ‘Givrdad.’ “If you have another route through town, then people will stop and support the local businesses on their way through.” Cory wrote the city would never go with the bypass option for that reason. “Too much lost revenue if traffic is diverted around the city,” he wrote. Another commenter felt public perception of such projects all comes down to labelling. “Tip to Kelowna council. Don't call it a bypass, call it a truck route. Much better public support that way,” wrote Gordon Storey.