West Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP) got a positive response at council香蕉视频直播檚 July 22 meeting, but there were several concerns about how the plan addresses traffic congestion now and into the future.
The plan is a long-term guide for improving the city香蕉视频直播檚 transportation network including roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit. While council appreciated its vision, they questioned whether it accurately reflects current traffic realities and future growth.
香蕉视频直播淭his is kind of covering a 15-year horizon,香蕉视频直播� Coun. Stephen Johnston said. 香蕉视频直播淢y concern would be that if this is showcasing future projections香蕉视频直播 don香蕉视频直播檛 think it paints an accurate picture of what life is like on the road here.香蕉视频直播�
A spokesperson for HDR, one of the plan香蕉视频直播檚 consultants, noted that an appendix in the TMP summarizes a review of existing conditions and the traffic forecasting work that was done.
Coun. Carol Zanon raised concerns about increased congestion once new apartment buildings behind the Synatan Shopping Centre on Carrington Road are occupied, and urged more coordination between the city and Westbank First Nation on planning.
香蕉视频直播淪o the interaction of how the First Nation is attacking the traffic situation on their lands that intersect and affect our lands, I香蕉视频直播檓 not sure how much we can expect from this plan in that direction, but香蕉视频直播� it would be very much appreciated,香蕉视频直播� she said.
Coun. Tasha Da Silva zeroed in on when traffic data was gathered. HDR staff confirmed it was collected in the fall, as part of best practices to reflect average, not extreme, traffic conditions.
香蕉视频直播淭hat was interesting because we香蕉视频直播檙e a tourist town,香蕉视频直播� Da Silva said. 香蕉视频直播淪o that average day is June all the way up until September香蕉视频直播� a lot of the complaints that we see from residents are in the summer when we have double the population because of visitors. That plays a lot into how our roads are affected and how they香蕉视频直播檙e deteriorating.香蕉视频直播�
Coun. Garrett Millsap said the plan should better reflect the impact of emergencies on the city香蕉视频直播檚 traffic flow.
香蕉视频直播淥ne little accident can disable our road network,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 the essence of our community香蕉视频直播攚e香蕉视频直播檙e basically held hostage by Highway 97. Until the province fixes it香蕉视频直播� a rear-ender on the bridge affects an entire community.香蕉视频直播�
The province is expected to conduct its own studies when considering highway improvements.
Millsap praised the plan overall, howver.
香蕉视频直播淔rom what I see here, it香蕉视频直播檚 fantastic. I mean, the bike lanes, the sidewalks, the road upgrades, it looks great.香蕉视频直播�
Coun. Jason Friesen reminded council that the TMP can only address what香蕉视频直播檚 within the city香蕉视频直播檚 control.
香蕉视频直播淲hen we look at the highway香蕉视频直播� we know it香蕉视频直播檚 there, but what do we have control over? I think you香蕉视频直播檝e (HDR) done a good job of dealing with that,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e can香蕉视频直播檛 get too caught up in things that we don香蕉视频直播檛 have much say over.香蕉视频直播�
The will soon go to public engagement through an online session, expected to begin in late July.
Feedback collected will help shape the final plan, which is scheduled to come back to council for adoption later this summer.
