Kelowna Construction - Page 178

Metro-One · #**3541** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 3:01 AM**

Also, on another topic, I have had a burning question about Kelowna’s planning of the former mill site on the waterfront.

Are they giving any consideration to reserving a right of way for a potential second crossing and it’s approaches?

I have actually long seen that as the potential route for a true limited access roadway through Kelowna (it would link up with the old rail corridor and then Celement Ave at Gordon Drive before going along the rail corridor again) while simultaneously taking road space away from the 97 through the heart of Kelowna via a potential LRT / bus lane system and traffic calming (reducing it to the secondary route for through traffic, not the primary).

I know I tend to think more ahead and proactive than most elected officials, but Kelowna will need a second link sooner than later (the importance of redundancy has been made painfully clear this past month in BC) and that route is the best candidate for a limited access route through Kelowna (very little disruption to the existing urban fabric and largely brown field properties).

jimmyboy95 · #**3542** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 3:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Mean winter temperatures in the Okanagan, especially Kelowna south really ride the freezing mark, so most years the snow cover at lower and even mid elevations in the valley is constantly disappearing and reappearing from mid December until mid February.

Not every year though, some years it stays much longer. Back in 2016-2017 there was snow on the ground non stop from early December to early March, even downtown. The next year had almost the same, but a bit of a break in late January.

jimmyboy95 · #**3543** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 3:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Feels odd seeing that much snow there.

Nice shots!

It looks like lots, but was only like 2 or 3 inches. Not odd at all

LFC · #**3544** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 3:57 AM**

https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/n...arrGPV0fZv9fjCjl4aahx6H--7K6NYxATs-aisx4

Former BC Tree Fruits property in North End sells for a record $23.75M

Metro-One · #**3545** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 4:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyboy95

Not every year though, some years it stays much longer. Back in 2016-2017 there was snow on the ground non stop from early December to early March, even downtown. The next year had almost the same, but a bit of a break in late January.

Hence why I said most years, not every year. Of course some years have much more snow cover, and on the flip side some have nearly none at all, most though fall into the on and off again middle ground.

KelownaResident · #**3546** Posted **Dec 15, 2021, 10:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papabear1

Just wondering if anyone is in the know on where this stands? Was looking through the original announcements where they stated they were gearing academic activities for fall of 2024. I would think the window to hit that deadline is starting to shrink.

Probably drummed up hype by your local city Council and local developer Mission Group to sell more condos.

Metro-One · #**3547** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 2:56 AM**

Okay, so this time I am posting my idea with pics to help.

The City of Kelowna and the Provincial Government should be planning for a substantial long term solution for the transportation / road networks in Kelowna.

In a logical world this would be targeted for completion by 2030. Kelowna and the Okanagan are growing at a relatively fast rate and the need for a true limited access route through Kelowna has come decades ago, I can't imagine what it will be like in 10 or 20 years.

Key:

Black Circle = Full movement interchange
Black Triangle = Partial movement interchange

Red = Second Crossing route one (6 lanes, 2 being add drop lanes)
Yellow = Second Crossing route two (6 lanes, 2 being add drop lanes)

Green = New free flow route (4 lanes)
Orange = Upgraded Existing 97 to free flow (6 lanes + median rapid transit lanes, bus or LRT)
Purple = Downgraded existing 97. Four lanes. Could involve expanded sidewalks, bus lanes (LRT lanes), expanded bike lanes, proper boulevard.
Blue = Existing 97, 2 lanes converted to rapid bus or LRT lanes.

Of course this needs work, but this is the type of plan that needs to be seriously considered, if not Kelowna will continue to be a transportation nightmare and a choke point for the Okanagan for many decades to come.

Kelowna Highway by Ian, on Flickr

Kelowna Highway by Ian, on Flickr

From the southern end of the project I envision the 97 being expanded to six lanes plus two rapid transit lanes until it hits the urban core of westbank, where a 4 lane tunnel would dive under the town until east of the Dairy Queen and Cherry Pit.

rdave · #**3548** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 6:37 AM**

Although I like your options much better than the garbage the provincial government came up with, I almost think it would be better to have this long debated "bypass" actually bypass the city entirely. Free flowing traffic along the Westside Road corridor, for example. Branching off from 97 long before the bridge. Perhaps picking up on the yellow option you have presented. Something that takes after the mountainous stretch of 97 between Winfield and Oyama. It will be more costly, sure, but it kind of makes more sense in the regard that it will be free flowing and uninterrupted entirely. Plus it will host some fantastic views along the lake. As much as I used to support the idea to push a second crossing, I just don't think this direction is sensible anymore. At this stage, it doesn't make much sense to have another major artery flow directly through the city just blocks north from Harvey and then link up with an already stressed highway in the middle of it all. It would feel too compacted, and downtown would ultimately be sandwiched between two major roads, which I believe was a concern that has been voiced before. I think that short term, Clement Avenue should still link with Highway 33, as an inner city alternative. Long term, that a bypass be proposed along the Westside corridor, if feasible. With enough funding I'm sure it would be. The former Tolko lands should without a doubt have some public water access that continues on north of Rotary Marsh Park in some way. Either way, this conversation has to continue on.

DKaz · #**3549** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 3:54 PM**

Well just having it free flow with limited connection points should minimize congestion. They are planning for the bypass to run all the way to the UBC Okanagan interchange plus build an interchange at the airport and free flow the highway through Winfield.

Papabear1 · #**3550** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 4:20 PM**

I'm really unsure why they feel the 2nd crossing needs to pour into the city core. I'm sure a substantial amount of congestion is due to people just wanting to get through the city to points north or south. In my opinion (though I'm not paying for the extra 300m of bridge work) the best route is to come off the connector interchange south of West Kelowna and punch a half ring road through ALR land on the east side or take a new route up the west side and come across near Bear creek and connect closer to UBCO. In either case, for those using 97, Vernon too will remain a choke point. I realize the expense of all new roads through mountainous terrain is daunting, but that's why dynamite can be fun!

rdave · #**3551** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 6:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKaz

Well just having it free flow with limited connection points should minimize congestion. They are planning for the bypass to run all the way to the UBC Okanagan interchange plus build an interchange at the airport and free flow the highway through Winfield.

The noise pollution and the fact that this approach would cut directly through communities, will forever delay the project from getting anywhere. Cities are evolving away from building massive freeways through city centers like the US did for decades. This left them with a lot of unusable land in city cores. 97 will need improvements for sure, starting with an interchange at the airport, and improvements to the horrendous Winfield/Glenmore Road intersection. A free flowing highway should definitely pass through somewhere else. Connecting it with 97 will just continue putting band aids on a congested highway. Once you hit Vernon it will just be gridlock again.

DKaz · #**3552** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 10:08 PM**

Clement is already sort of free flowing. It will need sound barriers.

Metro Kelowna is set to grow from 200,000 to 250,000 by 2040. A majority of traffic on the WR Bennett Bridge has a origin and destination within the Central Okanagan. 90% of traffic originated or ends in the Central Okanagan. So a bypass that completely bypasses Kelowna will only divert 10% of traffic off the WR Bennett Bridge.

giallo · #**3553** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papabear1

I'm really unsure why they feel the 2nd crossing needs to pour into the city core. I'm sure a substantial amount of congestion is due to people just wanting to get through the city to points north or south. In my opinion (though I'm not paying for the extra 300m of bridge work) the best route is to come off the connector interchange south of West Kelowna and punch a half ring road through ALR land on the east side or take a new route up the west side and come across near Bear creek and connect closer to UBCO. In either case, for those using 97, Vernon too will remain a choke point. I realize the expense of all new roads through mountainous terrain is daunting, but that's why dynamite can be fun!

Good summary of your ideas.

As you said, Vernon will always be an issue, but something really needs to be done about Kelowna in the near future. Thru-traffic should have an option to totally bypass Kelowna, so tunnels will absolutely be needed. I always thought the thru-road should end up somewhere north of Lake Country.

DKaz · #**3554** Posted **Dec 17, 2021, 11:16 PM**

I think ultimately an LRT connecting UBC Okanagan-Glenmore-Landmark-Capri-Downtown-KGH-OC would be wonderful. But if Victoria doesn't have LRT yet, I doubt Kelowna will get anything anytime soon.

giallo · #**3555** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 3:54 PM**

Some shots of Kelowna from last night.

JayMi · #**3556** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 9:46 PM**

Been excited to share. Application submitted for four new towers adjacent to One Water Street. 36, 34, 32 and 28 storeys.

http://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/DevApps/...-1130%20Ellis%20St%20-%20Circ%20Dwgs.pdf

Phrescata · #**3557** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 10:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayMi

Been excited to share. Application submitted for four new towers adjacent to One Water Street. 36, 34, 32 and 28 storeys.

http://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/DevApps/...-1130%20Ellis%20St%20-%20Circ%20Dwgs.pdf

Wow!!!

I like the looks of the towers and that water feature is cool. This is going to be one dense part of town if these all get built!

rofina · #**3558** Posted **Dec 20, 2021, 11:49 PM**

Its a little bit wild and surreal to accept that Kelowna is now receiving proposals like this.

The pace of change has hit some kind of multiplier, the growth is palpable.

I can hardly contain my excitement about what could be achieved on the North end on the old mill grounds. What potential to execute on an Olympic Village style development.

Unbelievably exciting times for Kelowna.

giallo · #**3559** Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 12:09 AM**

Absolutely huge proposal for Kelowna, and in a fitting part of town.

The Great Scaper · #**3560** Posted **Dec 21, 2021, 3:19 AM**

That is amazing. Kelowna is rocking it.