SAVE THE RAIL TRAIL GREENSPACE
NO Clement Extension!

Kelowna BC Canada

Welcome

The Rail Trail Greenspace Association is working to preserve the Kelowna BC Rail Trail Greenspace that runs alongside Mill Creek at the base of Dilworth Mountain. The City wants to replace the Rail Trail with a road going from Spall to Hwy 33.

We want to stop that.

What the City Plans To Do

The City is planning a new 2 km road, called the "Clement Extension" or the "Highway 33 Multi-Modal Corridor," to connect Spall Road to Highway 33 (see map). The multi-use path would be moved to make way for the road, the wetlands would be buried and concrete retaining walls cut into Dilworth Mountain. Instead of the Rail Trail's tranquil natural surroundings, users would be separated from the new road by an artificial 'green strip'.

City proposal

Source: https://getinvolved.kelowna.ca/clement-avenue-extension

A

Images of the plan for the new road.

(A) sketch showing the approximate route from Spall to Highway 33
(B) cross-section showing retaining wall, two lanes of traffic, green strip, rail trail, sidewalk

Note that the road is wider near the roundabouts (up to 5 lanes), then narrows down to 2 lanes between these intersections.

B

Why NOT build the Extension?

$135 million? ... and no resolution!

This 2 km stretch is estimated to cost $135 million: twice as much as Kelowna's other road projects. It likely won't decrease congestion as the City hopes. Why? Let's say you want to get from the bridge to Highway 33 a little quicker. You have to turn left and cross downtown just to get to the 'bypass.' Enterprise Way also bypasses the highway, but is just as congested! The extension might even increase congestion (see the READ MORE section)! Cities like Toronto, Seoul and Paris have reduced roadways with no increase in congestion! The money can be spent better elsewhere.

This Greenspace is Unique. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

With Brandt’s Creek already buried, Mill Creek is the only continuous urban waterway north of Harvey. 600 to 1200 people use the Rail Trail daily. The new road will destroy this unique wetlands and undermine the City's own positive goals to promote active transportation and expand forest cover. Kelowna lost nearly a quarter of its green spaces from 2001 to 2019, one of the worst records in Canada. We can’t afford to lose this one!

Isn't the road a done deal?

Nope! It's not built yet! It hasn't even got an official design. The city is still in the very early planning stages, apparently doesn't have the evaluations (e.g. environmental) and needed permits (or at least isn't sharing them with us) etc. The project hasn't really begun ... so it can't be a done deal.

What's the alternative?

READ MORE
Discover detailed facts, community concerns, and expert-backed reasons why the Clement Extension is the wrong choice for Kelowna.

People enjoy the Trail as it is - just look what they're saying about it!

I love the rail trail - the green space is beautiful, and it's a joy to be able to commute by bike and NOT have to deal with cars. Instead, I can enjoy the creek, the wildlife, the birdsong, and the friendly faces of other trail users!

- Rebecca

Take Action

Celebrate the Rail Trail!

Our Partners

These organizations and businesses share our vision for a greener and more sustainable future for the City of Kelowna. We welcome additional partnerships.