Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna (2005 population 105,621 metropolitan population 165, 221) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. It is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, and the third-largest metropolitan area in British Columbia (aside from Vancouver and Victoria). Kelowna is one of the fastest growing cities in North America and is considered by some to be one of the most desireable cities in the world in which to reside. The appropriate management of such rapid development (and its attendant consequences) is a source of significant debate within the community. It is the fourth most expensive housing market in Canada behind Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Victoria.

How To Get There

For years, only one road major highway passed through the city of Kelowna: Highway 97. The road itself is good, but its connections to all points east and west in the province were only managed by using the slow, curving Trans Canada Highway and the Crowsnest Highway.

Related Topics:
Highway 97 - Trans Canada Highway - Crowsnest Highway

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As the Okanagan Valley is a popular getaway for residents in Vancouver, a new freeway was built into the BC interior in 1986, shaving off over two hours of travel time between the two major destinations. This freeway, starting in Hope is known as the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5), and terminates in Kamloops.

Related Topics:
Vancouver - Hope - Coquihalla Highway - Kamloops

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A spur route (The Okanagan Connector, or Hwy 97C) was later added in 1989; it connects in Merritt, and heads eastward to Peachland, about twenty minutes south of Kelowna.

Related Topics:
The Okanagan Connector - Merritt - Peachland

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This new freeway system makes the drive from Vancouver to Kelowna just under four hours, at 425 km in distance.

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Kelowna is connected to Westbank by a three-lane floating bridge and links Highway 97 south. The floating bridge is slated for replacement as it has outlived its usefulness and is incapable of supporting the current traffic levels. The construction of a new bridge has begun, although there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the project. Delays and connectivity are some of the major issues, since the highway leading up to the bridge is only four laned and is not a freeway.

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Highway 33, which connects with Highway 97 in Rutland, provides an alternate way to enter and exit the city, towards the southeast.

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Kelowna has an International Airport north of the downtown core, with regular flights to and from Calgary, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Related Topics:
An International Airport - Calgary - Edmonton - Las Vegas - Toronto - Seattle - Vancouver - Victoria

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