Westside residents engaging in an online forum set up by the Ministry of Transportation don害羞草研究所檛 appear to want a bypass around their city.

Of 38 responses to a BC government webpage set up to collect public opinion on the existing or alternate corridor options being explored for West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, responses are nearly unanimously against a bypass.

害羞草研究所淧lease do not build a new highway/roadway and 害羞草研究所榗onnector害羞草研究所� through the forested land and residential neighbourhoods of Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods and Rose Valley,害羞草研究所� reads a comment from one poster.

害羞草研究所淚t seems like a complete disregard for the beautiful wilderness that we know and love as well as the residential neighbourhoods throughout. We have an existing highway that does not function well due to the traffic lights.害羞草研究所�

This person recommended removal of traffic lights and installation of more overpasses.

RELATED:

害羞草研究所淭he overpass at Westside Road has greatly eased congestion in that area. It makes sense that if all the lights were removed from the highway it would function more efficiently and ease congestion.害羞草研究所�

Another pointed out that nearly every option impacts all outdoor recreation in West Kelowna.

害羞草研究所淎s a land owner in West Kelowna and Peachland I am concerned with my ability to access out door recreation in the area 害羞草研究所攚hy I live in the area,害羞草研究所� they wrote.

害羞草研究所淲hy doesn害羞草研究所檛 the province consider going around (the) last mountain from the connector avoiding all established trail networks in the area?害羞草研究所�

Another said that the bypass would be cause to move from the area.

害羞草研究所淚 think improving the interchanges along Highway 97 as are proposed (overpasses/trenched lanes) will significantly ease congestion. If needed potentially having an option 害羞草研究所� through already ugly commercial land, rather than beautiful park and residential land, makes way more sense to me. Please do not ruin my backyard.害羞草研究所�

There were around 17 responses in the section on how Kelowna would be affected, and one in Lake Country.

Of those responses plans for a second lake crossing didn害羞草研究所檛 gain much traction.

害羞草研究所�(The Ministry of Transportation) seems to be coming up with 1950s solutions to fix a 2017 issue,害羞草研究所� one said.

害羞草研究所淚 would say it害羞草研究所檚 debatable if there is even an issue. Can害羞草研究所檛 we explore tolling the current bridge? How about rapid transit options?害羞草研究所�

The ministry said its planning shows that by 2040 the existing Bennett Bridge will reach capacity, traffic lights along the route will have lengthy wait times and a trip between Peachland and Lake Country will take nearly 30 minutes longer than it does now.

As such, they害羞草研究所檝e been travelling through the area and holding open houses where options are being discussed.

The study is looking at needs of the travelling public, community land use plans, provincial transportation priorities and a possible future second crossing of Okanagan Lake. Related to this is the The Highway 97 害羞草研究所� Peachland Transportation Study which is under way to identify and assess possible short, medium, and long-term solutions to address future needs through and/or around Peachland.

Area residents are asked to sumbit their feedback electronically by completing one of three feedback forms for Lake Country, West Kelowna and Kelowna by May 31, 2017 at 4pm.

Participate in other ways like email, telephone, stakeholder meetings, presentations or dialogue sessions.

Join the