TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN UPDATE
We are updating our Transportation Master Plan (TMP)—a long-range plan that will guide how the City plans, manages, and invests in walking and cycling, transit, and road networks for the next 20 years and beyond.
Long-term transportation planning is vital to achieving the community’s vision of vibrant city centres with complete, connected communities where you can walk, bike and take transit easily.
The draft master plan has been developed based on input received following two rounds of public engagement combined with technical analysis. Now, we would like your feedback on potential refinements to the plan before it is finalized.
Your input on the TMP Update is key to ensuring it aligns with the needs of our community and reflects our goals for the future.
PROJECT TIMELINE
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
A city is complex and interconnected. Planning helps us stay organized and focused, ensuring that progress is sustained and important projects are completed. Extensive coordination was undertaken to align with the City’s strategic planning initiatives, including the Official Community Plan, the OurWK Community Vision, and other key Master Plan updates.
Below is a summary of how different City plans work together.
Community Vision & Official Community Plan (OCP)
City Master Plans
A Community Vision and OCP are the building blocks for the community. They provide a long-term outlook for what the community wishes to achieve and guide how to get there over time.
Master Plans provide a community-wide outlook for important City networks. They prioritize how and where the City will invest to maintain and improve critical networks over time.
The TMP guides how the City plans, manages and invests in walking and cycling, transit and road networks. The plan aligns with other key City Master Plans.
Site-Specific Plans & Projects
» Park Plans... like the CNR Wharf and Memorial Park Plans
» Access/Egress Plans... like Casa Loma Multi-use Pathway Project
» BC Transit collaboration... like transit services improvements
» Other Government collaboration... Ministry of Transportation and Transit and Westbank First Nation
» Other Plans & Projects... like active transportation upgrades
Site-specific plans and projects provide detailed direction and design to implement priorities from the City Master Plans. These are initiatives that often lead to things getting built.
The TMP identifies actions the City can develop and implement through projects and programs.
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WHAT WE HEARD - PHASE 1 AND 2 OF ENGAGEMENT
Below is a snapshot of input collected through the first and second rounds of public and stakeholder engagement in 2022 and 2023. The summary includes preferences and priorities of transportation today and ideas for the future.
How people participated:
1,228 visits to OurWK.ca/tmp 123 online portal ideas
66 post-it note comments at pop-up displays
THEMES AND PRIORITIES:
177 people attended the open house
FEEDBACK HIGHLIGHTS
130 mapping tool contributions
26 groups participated in meetings
During TMP Phase 1 consultation in 2022, you told us you want to see:
Safe bike routes
More sidewalks
Improved transit
A connected community
Roads that work for all users
Improved emergency and evacuation routes
Safe and welcoming streets
Equitable access for all
• Continued improvements to the pedestrian and cycling network
• Sidewalks and road intersection and connections as the priority areas
• Ensure seniors, children and people with disabilities can safely access transit, cycling and pedestrian options
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RECOMMENDED FUTURE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
We have identified transportation projects to improve our existing network using a range of tools and approaches. Recommended network improvements were developed through review, technical analysis, and engagement with both the public and key stakeholders to understand the existing and future conditions to keep our community moving.
This work shows that our current transportation network, with key improvements, has the capacity to support West Kelowna’s future growth in the OCP 2040 and achieve the vision of becoming a vibrant, walkable and connected community.
By making strategic investments in active transportation, roads and transit networks, we can support our goals of:
Shifting to sustainable transit options
Creating streets for people
Taking bold action to address the impacts of climate change
Planning ahead for future infrastructure needs
Being prepared to face future emergencies
Transportation projects were developed to address existing deficiencies and constraints in our community and to improve the transportation network and operations overall. Some examples of the proposed projects included in TMP Network Plans include:
Roads that work for all users
• Butt Road/Old Okanagan Highway Intersection Improvements
• Elliott Road Upgrades
• Glenrosa Egress
Safe bike routes and more sidewalks
• Horizon Drive Active Transportation Improvements
• Lakeview Heights Active Transportation Network Study and Improvements
Improved transit
• New Transit Service Connections – Gellatly Road South
• Transit Hub Improvements
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HOW WE GOT HERE
The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) identifies key improvement projects to address current and future transportation needs in West Kelowna. These projects were selected through a comprehensive process that involved technical analysis, public and stakeholder engagement, and alignment with the Official Community Plan (OCP) and TMP policies.
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
Understanding why, how and where West Kelowna residents travel is key to ensuring we keep our community moving as we grow. We analyzed travel patterns, ICBC collision data, intersection control and volumes, transit ridership and stops, and considered emerging trends and future technologies. This information was used to develop improvement plans in the short, medium and long term.
PLANS AND STRATEGIES
The network plans build on the recommendations from several plans and strategies including the Central Okanagan Regional Transportation Plan, Ministry of Transportation and Transit initiatives, BC Transit and CleanBC plans and Westbank First Nation’s future transportation strategies.
PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT
In Phase 1, community engagement was carried out with the public, key stakeholders and focus groups to learn about existing transportation challenges and gather ideas for mobility improvements. The goal was to understand how people move through the city and develop ideas on how to improve the existing network. Approximately 650 people participated through the online and in-person engagement process. The results of this exercise contributed to the development of the TMP’s network plans.
FUNDING
Funding for the proposed transportation improvements will come from a variety of sources including various provincial and federal funding programs, reserves, grant opportunities, Development Cost Charges, and the City’s Infrastructure Levy. Upon completion of the TMP, recommended improvements will be included in the City’s 10-Year Capital Plan.
Typical Arterial Road
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KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WEST KELOWNA’S TRANSPORTATION FUTURE
As we plan for future transportation network improvements, there are several key challenges and opportunities. These factors reflect our community’s unique rural character, geography, and future aspirations.
RURAL ROUTES
West Kelowna’s origins as a rural suburb are evident in its roadways. Narrow two-lane roads with limited shoulders, walking, cycling, and transit facilities crisscross the landscape.
• Opportunity: By building on the existing roadway network, the City may more cost-effectively introduce walking and cycling paths, enhance transit services, and provide healthier, more equitable, and sustainable transportation options for residents.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Nestled between Okanagan Lake and the mountains, West Kelowna’s scenic geography, while beautiful, poses infrastructure challenges. Some neighbourhoods have only one access point, creating risks during emergencies like wildfires or floods.
• Opportunity: Improving neighbourhood connections can provide secondary access routes for emergency response, reduce vehicle congestion, and introduce new active transportation options for residents.
HIGHWAY 97
Highway 97 serves as West Kelowna’s lifeline, connecting it to the world. However, its design has often prioritized highway travel over community needs, creating barriers to a cohesive local transportation network.
• Opportunity: In collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, Highway 97 can be reimagined to better serve residents. Upgrades like new interchanges, improved transit options, and the proposed realignment of the couplet in Westbank Centre can transform Main Street into a vibrant community hub.
BUILDING SMARTER
Advances in technology and shifting societal trends are changing how people move and live. Emerging mobility solutions have the potential to reshape West Kelowna’s transportation future.
• Opportunity: The City can embrace technologies like micro-mobility, ride-hailing, and multi-modal transit hubs to expand transportation options and maximize existing infrastructure. By aligning with regional initiatives, West Kelowna can provide innovative and interconnected mobility solutions.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Transportation Master Plan (TMP) outlines essential improvement projects designed to meet West Kelowna’s current and future transportation needs. These projects help to address deficiencies, resolve known issues, and enhance the overall operation of the transportation network, guided by the vision and foundation of the OCP and the policies of the TMP.
HOW WERE THE PROJECTS IDENTIFIED?
Improvement projects were developed using:
• Existing Plans: Projects previously committed by the City or other agencies like the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit (BC MOTT).
• Technical Analyses: Insights from network reviews and assessments.
• Community Input: Feedback from public engagement, interested parties, focus groups and regional partners.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TRANSPORTATION
The TMP envisions a transportation network that benefits all modes of travel—walking, cycling, transit, and driving. While the maps and plans focus on individual modes for clarity, many projects incorporate multi-modal benefits, to provide better connectivity and accessibility. Each project is outlined with the following details:
• ID: The project location, with grouped improvements sharing one ID/name.
• Project Name: A clear reference to the location and type of improvement.
• Status: Where the project stands in development:
• Planning Required: Early stage; needs detailed exploration.
• Design Required: Planned but not yet designed.
• Implementation Required: Ready for funding and construction.
• From/To: The geographic extent of the project.
• Components: A summary of key features included in the project.
• Estimated Cost: 2023 planning-level cost estimates, including a 50% contingency.
MODAL MAPS AND TABLES
Explore the planned network improvements through:
• Maps: Visual representation of project locations, context, and related initiatives, including those from the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and BC MOTT.
• Tables: Detailed project descriptions, including ID, status, and components.
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SHAPING HOW WE MOVE
Your participation has helped us set the direction for how we walk, cycle, drive and take transit through the city for the next 20 years. Now we want your feedback on the proposed vision, goals, strategies, actions and overall alignment with the needs of our community. Are we headed in the right direction? Is there anything we may have overlooked?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Based on the input gathered during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of consultation, let us know if the proposed future network plans accurately reflect a connected community.
Your input will help finalize West Kelowna’s Transportation Master Plan 2040.
Scan and tell us what you think!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
• Check out the TMP Summary
• Review the network maps
• Complete the feedback form
• Subscribe for updates about the TMP and other engagement opportunities at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe
NEXT STEPS
The feedback received will help finalize the Transportation Master Plan prior to Council’s consideration of adoption later this year.
THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
Let’s keep working together to make West Kelowna an even greater place to be!
