Vernon Mayor And Transportation Minister Talk Traffic

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre September 22, 2017 05:54 am
Vernon wants the province to take over control of one of the city’s busiest streets. Mayor Akbal Mund says 27th Street is used by residents from all over the area — not just the City — and it’s costly to maintain. “It should be a provincial road and not left to Vernon. I mean we’re fixing it now again, after fixing it three years ago. And that’s because There’s too much traffic on that road. There’s more traffic on 27th than there is on the highway,” Mund tells Kiss FM. Mund made his case for the changeover during a recent meeting with BC’s new Transportation Minister Claire Travena. Mund says the minister gave no commitment, but agreed it was a good point. “There is no plus for them. That’s not the point. The point is it’s used as a highway, and we can show them that proof. That was my whole discussion about that: the municipality is left carrying the bill for that highway.” Mund also brought the new minister up to speed on other local transport issues like a bypass, which the province says won’t be needed for at least 20 years. “In all honesty, I told her ‘do we really have a lot of traffic issues in Vernon?’ We probably don’t in the minds of many who travel through this small community. We’re nothing like Kelowna. You can still get from one side of town to the other in 10 minutes, doesn’t matter where you are,” adds Mund.
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KISS POLL: Results

Say Of The Day

Do you think Vernon's 27th Street should become a provincial highway?

• Yes (47)
• No (60)

Council Wants Light At Highway-Stickle Site

Posted on 6/13/2016 7:30 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Vernon's mayor doesn't think there will be a fourth proposal for Highway 97 and Stickle Road. Akbal Mund made that comment after the other council members all said they wanted a traffic light at the intersection north of the city, which the Transportation Ministry has ruled out. Mund is the only council member supporting the ministry's plan. "It's a compromise, and I know they are not going to get a light after the second session (open house on the plan), so we have to work for something that is safe for our residents, and if that's a safe compromise, I can live with that. I'd still like to get a light, but I know it's not going to happen," Mund tells Kiss FM. Councillor Brian Quiring says it will be a disaster with large trucks using the 20th Street extension going through commercial and residential areas to reach the highway. Meantime, during a session with council Monday, Transportation Ministry officials told the city, there are no plans for a bypass or an extension of 27th Street for at least the next 25 years. However, a southbound right turn lane is in the plans for Highway 97 and 43rd Avenue to relive the congestion at the Vernon Square intersection.

Peachland bypass panned

By Wayne Moore - CASTANET Jun 10, 2016 / 1:35 pm

Peachland residents are being ask to weigh in on proposals to improve the Highway 97 corridor through the municipality. A public open house will be held at the Peachland Community Centre Tuesday, June 21, from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Over the past six months, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been meeting with local stakeholders, collecting and analyzing data in order to get a better handle on current, and future conditions of the corridor. The province is now ready to share that information with the public. The ministry is looking for public input on those findings to help examine future improvement options. According to information released by the province, input and feedback will continue to "guide the ministry," to help identify and assess possible short, medium and long-term solutions. One option is an alternative Highway 97 alignment which would allow motorists to bypass the municipality. The bypass would come out near the foot of the Okanagan Connector. The open house is part of a two-year study announced by the ministry in December.

Highway safety addressed

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-158896-11-.htm#158896
(Results at 7:00 AM Friday

Does Peachland need a Highway 97 bypass?

Total Votes:  3189
Yes	72.72%
No	20.76%
Not sure	6.52%

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Wayne Moore -CASTANET  Feb 18, 2016 / 3:56 pm
Changes could be coming to Highway 97 through Peachland following a second fatality in just 12 days. On Monday, a 33-year-old Sicamous man was killed in a head-on collision near Brent Road. On Feb. 3, a 47-year-old woman died from injuries suffered in a head-on crash near Buchanan Road, past Drought Hill. Since June of last year, four people have been killed in crashes on Highway 97 in and around Peachland. That's four too many for Mayor Cindy Fortin, who has spoken with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to see if something can be done. "They are going to look at making safety improvements along that stretch, and if there is anything they can do in the interim, they will do that as soon as possible," said Fortin. "What and when, I don't know. I just hope they take a serious look at it. It certainly got their attention (Monday) with this latest accident." While she doesn't profess to be an engineer, Fortin had a few suggestions that could improve safety. "Improved lighting would be good and possibly some of those concrete barriers. "I don't think reducing the speed limit is going to make a difference because people want to go the speed they want to go." Fortin said since concrete barriers were put in around Gorman Brothers mill, the number of accidents in that area seems to have gone down. Improved safety measures could be temporary, however, if the province agrees to construct a bypass through the municipality. In December, Minister Todd Stone announced the start of a two-year transportation study for the area including the possibility of an alternative route around Peachland. "Maybe a bypass is the answer and maybe this will spur them on to get the study done sooner than two years. We definitely need it. "It's a long time coming, and it can't happen soon enough." Regardless of what safety measures, if any, are taken in the short-term, Fortin does have a simple message to motorists: slow down and drive to the conditions.

Peachland bypass goes to public this week

Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2016 4:18 pm RON SEYMOUR Special to the Herald
Advocates for a highway bypass around Peachland say the proposed new route would also be a significant travel benefit to communities south of the town. “We’ve kind of dubbed the bypass the South Okanagan Connector,” Peter Warner, president of the Highway 97 Task Force Society, said Sunday. “The bypass would obviously make Peachland a quieter and more pedestrian-friendly place, but it would also reduce the travel time for people in Penticton and Summerland who drive to the Coast,” Warner said. After years of lukewarm official response to calls for a bypass, the Ministry of Transportation agreed just before Christmas to formally study the idea. The first public meeting in what’s expected to be a two-year process will take place 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at Peachland’s community centre. “We’re so optimistic and very pleased the government is willing to do this study,” Warner said. Transportation Minister Todd Stone says the study of the feasibility of the bypass will involve public consultation, and will refer to traffic counts, growth projections, land-use priorities, and impacts on business and tourism. “The study will look into the options that will meet the transportation needs of Peachland including developing an alternate route or improving the existing highway,” Stone said in mid-December. The stretch of Highway 97 through Peachland is the only two-lane portion between south of Penticton and north of Vernon. More than 800 Peachlanders are members of the group promoting a bypass, making it the largest civic organization in the town of 5,200 people. Society members, who include retired engineers and road builders, say a viable bypass route would run from Greata Ranch Estate Winery south of town to the Okanagan Connector, about six kilometres west of the existing Highway 97-97 C interchange. Most the bypass route, they say, would be on Crown land, limiting the need to buy private property. A rough construction estimate for the 20-kilometre bypass, prepared a few years ago, was $160 million. By comparison, widening the existing 17-kilometre two-lane highway to four lanes was estimated to cost $130 million. Just when traffic counts would warrant either widening the existing route or building a bypass is, at present, an open question. “Some of our members think either option won’t be necessary for a few more years, and others think a bypass should already exist,” Warren says. “What we as a group are saying is that, whenever the decision is made, we hope the government follows the trend throughout the western world and builds a bypass, allowing Peachland to flourish on its own without having a four-lane highway, and six lanes at intersections, running right through the town.”

Peachland bypass studied

Wayne Moore - CASTANET Dec 15, 2015 / 2:55 pm

A transportation study launched by the province will look at Highway 97 improvements through and around Peachland. In making the announcement Tuesday, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says the study will look at both short-term and long-term issues. The two-year study will focus on Peachland and examine transportation alternatives, including the possibility of an alternative Highway 97 alignment around the municipality. "We are listening to the people of Peachland, and we want to open it up to public discussion," said Minister Todd Stone. "The study will look into the options that will meet the transportation needs of Peachland, including developing an alternative route, or improving the existing highway." The study will be carried out in concert with the ministry's Central Okanagan Planning Study, which was launched in the fall of 2014 and already has traffic counts and traffic growth projections to work with. Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin said she's encouraged by the announcement. At the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention, council met with Premier Christy Clark and Stone to discuss the possibility of a bypass study. "This is wonderful news for Peachland," said Fortin. "We have been anxiously waiting for a definitive study on the Highway 97 corridor though Peachland, so that residents can get some answers regarding a bypass verses four-laning, and so that developers can confidently move forward with their plans." The study will launch immediately, and public engagement is planned for this spring. The ministry will also consider input from the Highway 97 Task Force committee, chamber of commerce, local First Nations, environmental stakeholder groups and other groups. "This is the most important issue affecting the future of Peachland," said Peter Warner, president of the Highway 97 Task Force Society.

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.

Mayor seeks bypass route

by Wayne Moore CASTANET - Sep 18, 2015 / 2:57 pm
The City of West Kelowna hopes to get some answers on a wide range of topics at next week's Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver. Mayor Doug Findlater said the city has scheduled meetings with ministers of energy, transportation and health, as well as local MLA, Premier Christy Clark. The biggest issue for Findlater is transportation – specifically, a corridor to a proposed second lake crossing. "We want to ensure a second corridor is studied and presented as an option," said Findlater in advance of the convention, which kicks off Monday. "It may not be viable, but we want to ensure it's not just another bridge that pours traffic on existing 97 and build a bunch of interchanges." While Findlater doesn't have a specific route in mind, he did say he sees a route going around the community with connections to the city. The Westbank couplet will also be part of the discussion. (more)

Council Reconsiders Bypass Issue

Posted on 8/10/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
A change of direction for Vernon council on a controversial issue. Council has decided not to include a specific route for a future highway bypass in its 25 year transportation plan, although they still want the province to consider such a project. The issue was brought back for re-consideration after councillor Dalvir Nahal had a change of heart after last month's vote. "Until we get anything from the province confirming that's what we're going to do, why are we going to put restrictions on property owners? It doesn't make any sense. I actually changed my mind right after we voted (in July). It was like an after thought," Nahal told the media. Nahal -- who is a rookie councillor -- says she didn't fully understand what she was voting for last month. "And even with what's going on with Stickle Road right now, we can't even convince them for a light, so a bypass is a whole new ballgame and I don't think we can convince them to do that." Nahal says outlining a proposed route could affect development or someone who wants to upgrade their house. "They're going to put restrictions on what they can do and how far they can go out. and I don't think that's fair because we don't even know if that's the route the government is going to go." Councillor Scott Anderson says a bypass should be a priority. "The ministry has projected a doubling of vehicles going through Vernon in the next I think it's 20 years, so we have to be ready for it." Anderson says council has to do more than just "kick the issue down the road," which is what he feels they did on Monday. The reconsidered motion passed by a 5-2 margin with councillors Anderson and Bob Spiers opposed. The province would be responsible for planning and funding a future bypass, but has no plans for it as this point.
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Bypass back before council
by Darren Handschuh CASTANET - Aug 10, 2015 / 5:30 pm
The bypass issue took up more of Vernon city council's time Monday when it returned once again, stirring more debate. The issue has been off and on the council agenda since 2008, and last month council agree to include wording in the transportation master plan that would identify an area for the possible bypass and get the ball rolling to protect land in that area. However, council revisited the matter after Counc. Dalvir Nahal changed her initial vote after speaking to people about the bypass. Nahal said she had an after thought on the motion that she supported at the July council meeting and has talked to people about it since, prompting the first-time councillor to change her mind. One of the concerns property owners along the proposed route had was the impact it would have on their property values and resale, and Nahal felt it was not fair to keep them in limbo for a project that could be years down the road. She said after witnessing the Stickle Road debacle she realized how difficult it would be to get the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to approve a bypass and she made a motion to return to the original wording in the transportation master plan that said a bypass should be included, but was not specific as to where it would go. Nahar said when it is so difficult to get a traffic light at Stickle Road, she wondered how much harder it would be to have the provincial agency approve a major road project. She did not feel it was fair to property owners to say the road is going in without provincial approval. Counc. Scott Anderson said traffic is only going to get heavier and the city must be forward thinking when it came to the bypass, adding the city reserves areas for possible future roads “as a matter of course.” Counc. Catherine Lord backed Nahar, saying the city needs to know if the MoTI will even approve the bypass plan. “It's up to the Ministry of Transportation as to where the bypass goes. Ultimately, they are the ones that are going to build it and pay for it,” said Lord, adding once that information is collected then they can move forward. Anderson said the proposal was reasonable, but it should be looked at sooner rather than later. Mayor Akbal Mund said he would contact the MoTI about the bypass.

Plan may get bypassed

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jul 15, 2015 at 1:00 AM
A U-turn could be pulled on a controversial Vernon highway route. Coun. Dalvir Nahal was among four council members to vote Monday to add the western bypass to the 25-year master transportation plan. However, by the end of the day, she was putting staff on notice that she will ask her colleagues to reconsider the matter Aug. 10. “I thought about it and it’s something that may or may not happen so it’s not fair to restrict people’s property,” said Nahal of the reason for her sudden turn-about. If council agrees to reconsider the issue, it’s possible the previous 4-3 vote in favour of including the bypass in the plan could be overturned based on Nahal’s changed vote. The western bypass extends from Mission Hill through Okanagan Landing to Swan Lake and would replace 32nd Street as the main highway route in Vernon. A previous council scrapped the concept in 2008 after significant public opposition. On Monday, city staff called for a bypass to be referenced in the transportation plan but it wasn’t site specific and that concerned some politicians. “Simply referencing it is almost throwing it away if we don’t have some details. My intent is to make it more specific,” said Coun. Scott Anderson. Coun. Bob Spiers, who also voted for the western bypass with Coun. Brian Quiring, insists a potential corridor for a bypass must be protected if traffic demands grow long-term. “If it never happens, we will have a nice trail or a local road,” said Spiers. However, staff warned that pinpointing a specific route for a possible bypass could negatively impact the ability of property owners to develop their land. “We will be damaging people’s property values,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. Also opposing the naming of the western bypass were Mayor Akbal Mund and Coun. Juliette Cunningham. “I’m concerned that by identifying it, we may sterilize people’s property before we need to,” said Cunningham.

BYPASS POLL

107.5 KISSFM Poll Results as at 6:30 PM

Do you agree with city council including plans for a future bypass in Vernon's 25 year transportation plan?

Yes	78.3%
No	21.7%

Vernon city council prepares decades ahead for future highway bypass

By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia June 12, 2015 - 10:34 AM
VERNON - It wouldn’t be built, or required, for another 25 to 65 years, but Vernon council is starting to plan for a potential bypass around the city. It’s been talked about for years, but today’s council is taking a firm stance on the need to start planning, and protecting a corridor for it, now. “We know it’s not going to happen in our lifetime,” Mayor Akbal Mund says. “If you don’t put it in, you’re not thinking about the generations ahead.” The city estimates by the time Vernon’s population hits 67,000 (around the year 2080) the city’s current road network will no longer be able to accommodate the volume of traffic — assuming current driving trends continue. A 2008-2031 transportation plan for the city looked at three possible highway bypass routes to relieve congestion on Highway 97: using the existing rail corridor for an elevated highway (now deemed unfeasible) or going around the city via the west side or east side. The cost identified in 2008 for a western bypass route was between $500 million and $625 million. While the city can set land aside for a future corridor, the Ministry of Transportation has the final say about when, and if, a highway bypass will be constructed around Vernon. A bypass could be used by locals and visitors alike, but Mund isn't worried about tourists bypassing Vernon altogether. “Vernon is a destination stop, people plan to stop here,” Mund says, adding he doubts what happened in Oyama when the new highway was built around the community would happen in Vernon. “A small community would be impacted by that change more than a large community, and Vernon is not a small city.” Council has asked transportation staff to look into options for where a bypass could go, and Mund says the planning will go from there. “You’ve got to look at it now, not 20 years from now, when… that land is already gone,” Mund says.
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Don Quixote Note: From 2008 discussions are the options examined at that time
http://www.vernon.ca/ocp/transportation_plan.pdf  (2008 p.29)

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PAGE 5 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – JANUARY 28, 2008
Ms. Kim Flick, Long Range Planner provided an overview of the Transportation Plan. Mr. Lorne Holowachuk, Transportation
Specialist, covered the 0 – 10, 10 – 25, and 25+ Year Strategy. Mr. Holowachuk reviewed the three Bypass options. (West Bypass, Railway Overpass and East Bypass) and further presented a No Bypass Option.
Moved by Councillor Beardsell, seconded by Councillor Gilroy:
THAT Council endorse the draft Transportation Plan for the purpose of public consultation, as outlined in Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this report.
1. 10 year strategy to provide increased capacity on existing routes and new connections between key routes;
2. 10 – 25 year strategy to include the extension of 27 Street and new connections on key routes; and
3. 25+ year strategy which includes protection of the West Bypass corridor and MacKay Connector corridor, and other
links which would serve development, as required; or the alternative “no Bypass option”.
AND FURTHER, that Council endorse the public consultation program for the Transportation Plan as outlined in Section 6 of
this report, with the consultation period held from February 11 to 25, 2008 and the presentation of the results at the March 10, 2008 Regular meeting of Council.
CARRIED.

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Where the $500-$625 million came from.
http://www.vernon.ca/council/documents/2008/agenda_080609_pkg.pdf (p.79)

Tougher stance sought on bypass

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jun 10, 2015 at 1:00 AM
City of Vernon staff have been accused of watering down a potential highway bypass. Council members were not pleased Monday with an addition to the draft master transportation plan that references the possibility of an alternate route to Highway 97 in the future. “This whole page-and-a-half has a negative feel to it – ‘We put it in because we were asked to but we really don’t want to include it,’” said Coun. Catherine Lord. Two weeks ago, council was presented with the transportation plan and they asked administration to include wording about a future bypass. What came forward Monday, in part, stated, “should the city decide to identify a possible transportation corridor within Vernon that could eventually be used for a highway bypass, doing so does not commit the Ministry of Transportation to constructing it.” Coun. Brian Quiring was not impressed. “I’d like to be a bit more definitive in the language,” he said. “In 25 years, we will need it and we won’t have any provisions for it.” Coun. Juliette Cunningham suggested that staff’s actions now are a departure from six years ago when they pushed for a bypass. “I’m concerned that because it was a hot potato (then), we are avoiding it.” Council members are also demanding ongoing discussions with the ministry about Vernon’s long-term transportation needs. “We need to take a stand and keep it on the ministry’s radar,” said Lord. Further discussion on the draft master transportation plan will be held July 22. “We need to get to a plan. It’s important to have it (bypass) in there,” said Mayor Akbal Mund.

107.5 KISSFM BYPASS POLL -  Results at 7:00 PM

Should a Vernon highway bypass be a priority for city and provincial officials?

Yes, it's needed in next 0 to 10 years	73.3%
Yes, it's needed in 10 to 20 years	10.5%
No, it's not needed for at least 20 to 30 years	3.5%
No it's not needed, and never will be	12.8%

Council won't bypass issue

by Darren Handschuh | CASTANET - Jun 9, 2015 / 5:00 am
It may not happen for 25 or even 50 years, but now is the time to start planning for a bypass around the city of Vernon. Mayor Akbal Mund and councillors Juliette Cunningham and Brian Quiring said a provision for a bypass should be included in the city's transportation plan. In fact, the first-term mayor said it could be decades before anything is implemented. “If we're not going to consider where a bypass might go, we will have a hard time getting it in 25 years,” said Quiring at the regular council meeting Monday, adding Winnipeg has been “setting aside land for 50 years.” Cunningham wanted to make sure the Ministry of Transportation was on board with the long-term plans of the city. “I want to be assured our needs, and our future needs are being considered by the province,” she said. “We have to be planning into the future.” Mund agreed, saying planning must begin now. “You have to have a plan,” he said. “Once the land is gone, how are you going to get it back?” Mund knows the issue has raised the hackles of residents in the past, but that does not mean the idea should be shelved. “I agree 100 per cent we need a plan. You can't please everyone, but you have to do what's best for the community,” said Mund. When the bypass issue was brought up six years ago, it revved up many residents who feared their properties would be negatively impacted by the roadway. But Mund said just because the city is talking about it and planning for it does not mean it will happen any time soon.
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http://www.vernon.ca/transportation/docs/2015-Draft-Transportation-Plan.pdf

The above Link is the DRAFT Transportation Plan that is proposed to be updated in the existing OCP.  The proposed language re the bypass issue is at P.17-19 of this report.

Bypass suggestion resurfaces at city hall

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 27, 2015 at 1:00 AM— updated May 27, 2015 at 5:57 AM

http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Vernon politicians insist a bypass must be on the radar to ease long-term congestion. Council members urged staff Monday to add reference of a highway bypass to the draft master transportation plan. “We live in a community severed by a highway. It’s killing us in terms of economic development,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. However, staff say a bypass was not included in the document because traffic modelling doesn’t show a need for such a system until after 2050. “A bypass is not necessarily an economic benefit. They can have a negative impact because people no longer stop in the city,” said Amanda Watson, municipal transportation technician. Coun. Catherine Lord, though, says the city must be prepared for future vehicle demands. “It’s really more about having it talked about than it being off to the side,” she said. In 2008, elected officials of the day shelved the concept of a bypass through Mission Hill and Okanagan Landing because of widespread public opposition. Coun. Juliette Cunningham called for a route to be considered then and she believes a process must still be established. “My role as a councillor is to make a long-term decision for the future of my community after I am gone,” she said. The draft transportation plan covers a variety of issues, including trying to get more people to abandon their vehicles and walk, cycle or use transit. Coun. Scott Anderson says the city shouldn’t be too heavy-handed with its policies. “When the stick approach comes, I’m uncomfortable with it,” he said. Watson says the city’s goal is providing education about transportation options. “We are not taking a carrot and stick approach. In terms of telling people what to do, we don’t do that,” she said. Cunningham also responded to Anderson’s comments. “Some of us do believe in climate change and anything we can do to reduce carbon emissions, is part of the plan,” she said. The draft transportation plan will go before city committees and the public for input.

Proposed bypass divisive issue

Posted: Friday, March 27, 2015 9:51 pm | Updated: 9:57 pm, Fri Mar 27, 2015. Dorothy Brotherton Penticton Herald
A highway that would bypass Peachland does not sound like a good idea to Chief Robert Louie of the Westbank First Nation. He offered his initial assessment at a joint meeting of the WFN and Peachland councils recently. The difficulty with a bypass is the steep and rocky terrain, and the only possible solution would be right through the Ponderosa development. I just don’t think it’s feasible,” he said, referring to Ponderosa Pincushion Ridge, where 61.5 hectares of the 162-hectare project are owned by the WFN. e admitted the WFN council has not fully discussed the bypass concept and these ideas were his own, not an official council position. If I were a business owner in Peachland, I certainly would not want the traffic to circumvent me,” he added. e pointed out a bypass may not be feasible or even reasonable. Costs would be astronomical,” he said. Peachland Coun. Mario Vucinovic said that in a recent meeting of a Highway 97 group in Peachland, he asked how many favour a bypass and all hands went up. “Four-laning Highway 97 would split the community even more,” Vucinovic said. He pointed out the province has committed to upgrades of Westside Road and to a study for a second crossing of Okanagan Lake, so this may be the time to ramp up discussions on a bypass route. We want people to look at Peachland as more of a destination point, not a thoroughfare,” he added. Louie explained that the Ponderosa developer, Treegroup, has already invested a lot of money in the intersection at Thirteenth Street, on the Highway 97 corridor. Coun. Terry Condon pointed out the Highway 97 task force has engineers who have presented a path above Peachland that would miss the Ponderosa development, which meets the grade and turn radius requirements, from approximately Greata Ranch to the Okanagan Connector at Trepanier Road. Versions of the idea have been looked at for at least 10 years, he said. “It’s going to be enormously expensive, but without a decision, development along that corridor is absolutely stalled,” said Condon, referring to Highway 97 through Peachland. He suggested the Highway 97 society, with more than 700 members, is looking for the right kind of economic study and hopes it may come out of the second crossing study. By looking at strategic needs of the whole corridor from Osoyoos to Salmon Arm, “we might take a different view,” Condon added. From an economic viewpoint, Peachland is already pretty much bypassed, with most commerce in West Kelowna and on WFN land, he said. “We need to be able to develop our area near the water with motels and attractions for travellers to come there,” and waiting until 2025 when the province says a second crossing might be built is not appealing. Louie appeared surprised by the possibility of a bypass route above Ponderosa and more open to the idea. Condon added, “It would provide another exit in case of wildfire and would not dissect Ponderosa.” WFN Coun. Raf De Guevara said the province has promised consultation with the WFN all along the way through the Ministry of Transportation. No route for a second crossing or alternative transportation corridor to Highway 97 has been identified yet. Louie admitted that frustrates the WFN as much as it does Peachland.

Election 2014: Candidates share vision for Vernon

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Nov 7, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Vernon’s mayoralty hopefuls all have ambitious plans if they top the polls Nov. 15. All five candidates were asked what they hope to achieve if they are elected to a four-year term during a forum hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Home Builders Association at Predator Ridge Resort Tuesday. “It would be fantastic if we had a sense of excitement about Vernon among those here and those who want to be here,” Victor Cumming told the crowd of about 90 people. For Akbal Mund, he wants to focus on growth. “More parks in the community. We need places for our kids to play. We need growth in the resort communities because they bring tourists here,” he said. Klaus Tribes insists his goal is to be responsive to the public’s needs. “I’d love to look back and say, ‘We’ve provided for residents and done a good job,’” he said. A priority for Jamie Morrow is downtown. “Downtown is the heart beat of the city. We need a more active downtown. People living downtown feeds out businesses,” he said. Mary-Jo O’Keefe says a four-year-term would be dedicated to bolstering the economy so there is revenue for infrastructure and cultural enhancements. “I’d like to create a positive business climate and start to address the dreams we have in the city,” she said. The candidates were also asked what the city’s role is in ensuring the labour market is healthy. “Most of it is in partnerships. I have knowledge and experience with various levels of government,” said O’Keefe, who owns MJO Tours. “I can put people together that can help communities access training.” Mund, a former Wendy’s owner, says training skilled labourers isn’t enough. “We need jobs for them here. How we do we get growth here? It comes from working with developers,” he said. Morrow is a recruiter for Okanagan College. “We have the training and people here and I have the relationships with the college,” he said. Cumming, an economist, believes the city can be proactive in promoting a viable workforce. “We can do and do skill worker recruitment and link the business community to those trying to come here,” he said. Tribes, a retired restaurant owner, says the key to a skilled workforce is economic development. “If people can work and stay in Vernon with their families, they will forgo a $40-an-hour job in Alberta,” he said. The candidates were also asked about what transportation issues would be a priority if they are elected mayor. “I’d like to see that corrected,” said Morrow of large transport trucks going through downtown. “The biggest thing is a transportation corridor.” Mund supports a truck route but he doesn’t believe highway traffic should be diverted. “I wouldn’t want a bypass completely around the city. With that, people don’t stop and it kills business.” O’Keefe wants to make it easier for residents in areas like Silver Star and Predator Ridge to access the main core of the city through transit. “We have to work hard with B.C. Transit and we need to invest more in it,” she said. Tribes believes one-way routes may be the best way to alleviate highway congestion. “It’s not the best solution but it’s the best we have until there is a bypass on Westside Road,” he said. Cumming is pushing for new concepts to reduce traffic demands. “Increase (housing) density and make the trip shorter to neighbourhood facilities. We need fun buses to connect Silver Star and the lakes,” he said of residents accessing amenities.

Bypass Not In 25 Year Plan

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 29 October 2014 06:00
There's no plans for a highway bypass around Vernon for at least the next 25 years. The project isn't included in the city's long term plan for consideration by the BC government. Councillor Bob Spiers has been told by staff, a line in the report will indicate the bypass is something that will be needed in the future. "It may be 25, 30 or 40 years, but if you don't put it on the map, the province won't look at it," says Spiers. Spiers says another highway route will be needed to deal with growing traffic levels.
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KISSFM FM POLL RE BYPASS: Results FINAL

Do you think Vernon needs a highway bypass sooner than 25 years from now ?
yes
29-	50.9%
should start it right now
20-	35.1%
no
8-	14%

Number of Voters

:  57

Study to look at cost, benefits of Peachland bypass

by Wade Paterson - Kelowna Capital News posted Jun 2, 2014 at 4:00 PM
The District of Peachland and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure are contributing funds to take a closer look at the possibility of a Highway 97 bypass around Peachland. The study is expected to cost about $50,000. Peachland will contribute $20,000 to the study, while MOTI covers the remaining cost. "The study is to consider the cost and benefits if the highway is either (rerouted) or left in place," said John Abernethy, chairman of the Highway 97 committee to Peachland council. "From my point of view, the benefits to Peachland are pretty obvious. The most valuable land in Peachland is the lake frontage land. Currently, a little over four kilometres of that land is kind of sterilized by the highway being right there." He added a Peachland bypass will enhance future developments, such as New Monaco: A proposed multi-use urban development that could double Peachland's population. Several years ago, Abernethy took it upon himself to study the topography of the terrain around Peachland and plot a "physically feasible route" where the highway could potentially bypass the town. When Premier and Westside-Kelowna MLA Christy Clark said she was in favour of looking into a second crossing over Okanagan Lake, Abernethy went back to the maps to check the contours for a potential connecting bypass behind West Kelowna. "Low and behold there is the potential for such a bypass," said Abernethy."When you look at the route possibilities, our bypass makes the bypass behind West Kelowna feasible." Abernethy added "short-term fixes" haven't solved the highway problems facing several communities throughout the valley. "When you do it that way, you never change the route of the highway, it ends up staying right where it always was: Right in the centre of town. "We need a long-term perspective here; the short-term (planning) has gotten us into this mess." Michael Trickey, general manager of community services with the District of West Kelowna, agreed the current Highway 97 situation isn't ideal for West Kelowna. "It just isn't working here," said Trickey. "We understand that Highway 97 is important to the province because it's a pretty good north-south trade route, but our residents also use it as a street and we have a lot of cross traffic on it." Trickey said the district would like to see MOTI undertake a corridor plan to look at several problems, such as travel times, safety and economic development. He added it's important to get Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Peachland agreeing on a common vision of what a future highway would look like. Public consultation would be a key part of that vision, he added.Abernethy is also a member and director of the Highway 97 Task Force: The original citizen's group that supported the concept of the highway being rerouted around Peachland. The group, which currently has about 650 members, will host its annual general meeting June 12, 7:15 p.m. at the Peachland Community Centre.Bruce Letendre, president of the task force, said Peachland residents, as well as those who travel through Peachland for work, are invited to attend the annual meeting and show their support for the Peachland bypass.