A second bridge over Okanagan Lake and a freeway alternative along Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 north end are unlikely according to city planners and unnecessary according to some city councillors.

City staff described the project as 91裸聊视频減rohibitively expensive,91裸聊视频� after an over-$300 million jump in price since initial plans in 2007. The project would now likely cost 91裸聊视频渨ell in excess91裸聊视频� of $1 billion.

91裸聊视频淚n terms of cost-benefit analysis; it91裸聊视频檚 proven to be difficult,91裸聊视频� said Rafael Villarreal, the city91裸聊视频檚 integrated transportation department manager, while presenting a report to council on Monday.

91裸聊视频淭o make sense, it has to be a full freeway or it91裸聊视频檚 not of enough benefit. It91裸聊视频檚 difficult to say the concept is dead, but the reality is, we don91裸聊视频檛 know when it91裸聊视频檚 going to happen. I91裸聊视频檓 not even sure if it91裸聊视频檚 within 20 or 25 years.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Minster says Highway 97 study is on hold

READ MORE: Second bridge across Okanagan Lake 91裸聊视频榰nlikely91裸聊视频� because of $1 billion price tag

The historic vision of the Highway 33 extension plan was coined as a Highway 97 alternative, connecting UBCO on the east end of the city to a second bridge over the lake to West Kelowna by a highspeed freeway, but that plan now looks doubtful due to inflated costs.

Instead, an incremental approach is being sought by city staff.

The revised plans indicate it may be more realistic to build an arterial roadway connecting Clement Avenue to McCurdy Road instead of the high-speed freeway with interchanges that was initially envisioned in the first plan. Clement Avenue currently ends at Spall Road.

The proposed road would run parallel to the Rail Trail, which was recently completed by the city. If the plan moves forward the city would have to relocate its bus facility.

The scope of work includes a four-lane connection between Spall Road and Highway 33, with at-grade intersections at Spall, Dilworth, and Enterprise. The most recent cost estimate for theis work is $57 million.

Councillors largely dismissed the second crossing but commended the staff91裸聊视频檚 work on seeking a less drastic approach.

91裸聊视频淎n incremental approach from Spall to Dilworth 91裸聊视频� Highway 33 if we91裸聊视频檙e lucky 91裸聊视频� would be a useful road that will help overall,91裸聊视频� said Coun. Luke Stack.

91裸聊视频淚 like the incremental approach to moving this forward and I think we91裸聊视频檙e on the right path.91裸聊视频�

Despite the fact that she hasn91裸聊视频檛 dismissed a second bridge for the future, Coun. Gail Given said she sees 91裸聊视频済reat wisdom91裸聊视频� in staff investigating the extension as an arterial roadway rather than a freeway.

91裸聊视频淲hile we haven91裸聊视频檛 totally written off the second crossing, the evidence points in a different direction,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频�(This plan) is going to provide the best benefit to our community in the shorter term.91裸聊视频�

She did, however, ask staff to consider the potential future development in their land acquisitions.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 nothing worse than having a highway corridor that91裸聊视频檚 constrained with a building immediately on either side and you have no options into the future. As we do our land acquisition, we should plan for a much broader corridor. One that would support transit into the future or that would support a freeway into the future.91裸聊视频�

A 91裸聊视频渂ridge to nowhere91裸聊视频� is how Coun. Charlie Hodge described the second crossing.

91裸聊视频淏uilding a second crossing in my mind makes no sense,91裸聊视频� said Coun. Charlie Hodge.

Hodge expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the project, citing that the newly proposed plans cross two wetlands.

91裸聊视频淭his road goes right through wetlands. What does the Ministry of Environment have to say about that?91裸聊视频� he asked.

Villarreal said the area between Spall and Highway 33 is a very complicated site from an environmental perspective.

91裸聊视频淲hen the first designs were done in 2008, the regulation wasn91裸聊视频檛 as complicated as it is today,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淲e are going to make sure that there is enough mitigation. The ministry is going to have to tell us what we need.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 part of why this road is expensive. If we91裸聊视频檙e going to build it, we have to make sure we comply with all the environmental regulations.91裸聊视频�

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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