transportation regional

First Regional Transportation Plan set for Okanagan

Thursday, November 19, 2020

After more than two years of technical studies, public consultation and region-wide collaboration, the Central Okanagan’s first Regional Transportation Plan has been unveiled.

The Regional Transportation Plan identifies the transportation projects and priorities that will help build and maintain a healthy, thriving and connected future for the Central Okanagan. It will also help create a region where more people can choose sustainable transportation options.

Through November and December, the final plans will be presented for endorsement to members of the Sustainable Transportation Partnership of the Central Okanagan (STPCO).

“The Regional Transportation Plan is the first of its kind for the Central Okanagan,” says Rafael Villareal, integrated transportation department manager with the City of Kelowna and Administrator of the STPCO. “This has been a long journey and learning process for residents, staff and our elected officials. We look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to improve our region’s connectivity.”

The interconnected projects, programs and policy recommendations will work together to connect people and places across the region and prepare for future population growth. They will also help people of all ages and abilities get around, reduce future greenhouse gas emissions, and help economic recovery post COVID-19.

Early consultation with stakeholders and residents both shaped the plan’s vision and goals as well as identified and refined potential transportation priorities and solutions. The final plans reflect the interests and values heard from people across the region and set the direction for Central Okanagan governments to work together to move people and goods more efficiently, achieve fast and reliable transit, create a safe and convenient regional bicycling and trails network, and incorporate new mobility options.

Some of the plans’ key features  include creating a fast and reliable transit spine along the Highway 97 corridor, adding 81 new kilometres of regional bicycling and trails facilities, and investing in transportation improvements to better connect people to regional destinations such as UBC Okanagan and the Kelowna International Airport.

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