Politics · Canada · 1 day ago
Okanagan Lake crossing debate returns during B.C. election campaign
The debate over a second crossing of Okanagan Lake has returned during British Columbia’s election campaign.
The crossing would connect Kelowna and West Kelowna, where commuters face delays on the W.A.C. Bennett Bridge.
A recent crash that closed all three southbound lanes for several hours added to concerns about congestion.
BC NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge says improving the existing bridge and nearby intersections should come before a costly second crossing.
He says the plan would add a lane to the bridge and needs local advocacy.
The BC Conservatives promised in 2024 to build a second crossing by 2032, but party leader Lorne Doerkson is not reaffirming that timeline and says he wants to hear from British Columbians.
Local Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen says the party has not abandoned the idea and wants planning to begin with governments working together.
The prospect of a second crossing over Okanagan Lake has returned as an issue in the British Columbia election campaign.
The crossing would connect Kelowna and West Kelowna, where traffic congestion affects the W.A.C. Bennett Bridge.
BC NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge says improving the existing bridge should take priority over building another crossing.
BC Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen says planning for a second crossing should begin, while party leader Lorne Doerkson has not made a commitment.
The Conservatives promised a second crossing by 2032 during the 2024 campaign, but the party is no longer reaffirming that timeline.
- Who
- Local candidates and party leaders are debating a second crossing. They include NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge and Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen.
- What
- The debate concerns building another crossing over Okanagan Lake or improving the existing W.A.C. Bennett Bridge.
- When
- The issue has resurfaced during the 2026 B.C. election campaign. The Conservatives made a 2032 promise during the 2024 campaign.
- Where
- The crossing would connect Kelowna and West Kelowna, in the Central Okanagan.
- Why
- Commuters face delays and traffic congestion on and around the existing bridge.
Loyal Wooldridge and the BC NDP
Kristina Loewen and the BC Conservatives
Immediate approach
Loyal Wooldridge and the BC NDP
Wooldridge says improving traffic flow and capacity on the existing bridge should be the immediate priority.
Kristina Loewen and the BC Conservatives
Loewen says planning for a second crossing should begin and calls for reopening previous studies.
Commitment
Loyal Wooldridge and the BC NDP
Wooldridge describes a second crossing as a long-term prospect that would cost billions of dollars.
Kristina Loewen and the BC Conservatives
Loewen says the party has not abandoned the idea, though leader Lorne Doerkson has not made a commitment or reaffirmed the 2032 timeline.
There’s actually a plan on the books to improve traffic flow without the time and cost it would take, which would be billions of dollars to build a second crossing
Right now I am all ears. I’m listening to British Columbians, visiting British Columbians, and I absolutely, of course, want to look at everything
We need to start planning for it in a way that works together with the city, works with multiple levels of government and reopens the studies that have been done on it
The BC Conservatives, then led by John Rustad, promised to build a second crossing by 2032 if elected.
An accident closed all three southbound lanes of the existing bridge for several hours, causing traffic backlogs.
The second-crossing debate resurfaced as local candidates offered different approaches to congestion.
- Crossing
- Proposed connection between Kelowna and West Kelowna
- Existing bridge
- W.A.C. Bennett Bridge
- 2024 Conservative promise
- Build a second crossing by 2032 if elected
- NDP approach
- Improve capacity on the existing bridge and its intersections
- Conservative candidate
- Kristina Loewen, Kelowna Centre
- Conservative leader
- Lorne Doerkson has not ruled out a second crossing or reaffirmed the 2032 timeline
Sources
Related news
Opinion warns Canada’s tower-focused housing policy risks less livable communities
Cold Lake First Nations challenges Pacific Link pipeline designation in court
Six provinces and Yukon urge Ottawa to expand mining tax credit
Supreme Court sets sentencing framework for Indigenous intimate partner violence cases
Poilievre to promote Canadian unity in Alberta ahead of Oct. 19 vote
Alberta appeal court rules federal project review law still unconstitutional
Alberta referendum advance polls set to open this week
Danielle Smith says Alberta vote can show separatism is losing support
Saskatchewan rallies call for repeal of Bill 137
Albertans can vote in a 10-question referendum starting Tuesday
Alberta to vote on whether to begin process of separating from Canada
