New route to UBCO celebrated
Ribbon cut to officially open long-awaited John Hindle Drive
It may be a more scenic route than Highway 97, but many commuters who take the new John Hindle Drive won’t care about that, says Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr.
The new road from Glenmore to UBC Okanagan in Kelowna was officially opened on Friday, although it’s been in use for a week.
It not only provides a second route to UBCO, but will also be popular with many commuters.
“There’s a romantic notion that it’s all about the journey and not necessarily about the destination, but I would argue that for people (who commute), that doesn’t apply,” said Fuhr, who drives regularly between Kelowna and Lake Country, at the ribbon cutting on Friday.
John Hindle Drive has been discussed and in the works for years, with the first phase built to service what is now the Kelowna landfill’s entrance.
“It started as a three-way cost share between the federal and provincial government, as well as the City of Kelowna, but UBCO was quick to join the partnership,” explained Alan Newcome, the director of infrastructure and planning for the City of Kelowna.
UBCO’s partnership would give an additional access path to the university.
“This has been an extraordinary week for UBCO. We’ve welcomed over 10,000 new students . . . (and) this will provide a shorter and safer commute (for them),” said UBCO’s associate vice-president of finance and operations, Robert Einarson.
In addition to the new road, a pedestrian overpass and bike lane were built for those who walk or bike to work and school.
“I’m really excited for this grand opening. It fundamentally changes how we get around the community,” said Mayor Colin Basran. “John Hindle Drive (makes) sustainable transportation options easier and more convenient.”
The pedestrian overpass is to be complete by Sept. 25. It connects John Hindle Drive to Academy Way, two roads that are particularly busy for foot traffic as Aberdeen Hall sits midway up the hill and UBCO is just below. Residentially, the area is booming.
MLA Norm Letnick, a devoted cyclist, was pleased with the opening.
“It’s going to open up the university to the whole community,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of people using John Hindle Drive . . . and when they come up here and see the university, they’re going to realize how important . . . UBCO is to our community.”
The federal and provincial governments each contributed $3.5 million to the $12-million project.