SAVE THE RAIL TRAIL GREENSPACE
Welcome
The Rail Trail Green Space Association works to preserve the most beautiful part of the Okanagan Rail Trail in the city of Kelowna, BC.: the section that runs alongside Mill Creek at the base of Dilworth Mountain.
Today, the Trail is enjoyed by cyclists, runners, families, nature lovers and dog walkers. We want it to remain a peaceful green space for everyone.
What the City Plans To Do
The city is planning a new bypass, called the "Clement Extension" or the "Highway 33 Multi-Modal Corridor," to relieve congestion on Harvey Avenue by connecting Spall Road to McCurdy Road/Highway 33, a distance of two kilometers. The bike path would be moved to made way for the road, the wetlands would be destroyed, and a couple of 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'.
Images of the plan for the new road.
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above: cross-section showing retaining wall, two lanes of traffic, green strip, rail trail, sidewalk
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top right: sketch showing the approximate route from Spall to Highway 33
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right: design sketch close-up of segment from the Grist Mill to just past the Mill Creek flood control station
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below: design sketch close-up of segment from the Mill Creek flood control station to Highway 33
Note that the road is wider near the roundabouts (up to 5 lanes), then narrows down to 2 lanes between these intersections.
Why are they doing this?
The City and the Province hope to reduce traffic congestion on Harvey Avenue.
The Clement Extension was originally intended to connect a second bridge over Okanagan Lake to a bypass going all the way to UBC Okanagan. Now the other parts of the plan have been cancelled, the Extension won't reduce traffic on the highway.
Why not build the Extension?
Not a Bypass, an Impasse!
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. Why?
Two Words: Induced Demand
New roads generate more traffic. The easier it is to drive, the further people go in their cars, and the less likely they are to bike or use public transport. Cities like Seoul and Paris have reduced roadways with no increase in congestion!
How Much???
The cost estimate for those two kilometers is $135 million (p.14-15), twice as expensive as any other infrastructure project, and more than double the investment in active transportation acro+ss the whole city. $57 million will be paid by the City. That's a lot of money for a Band-Aid.
Less Green Space? Seriously?
The new road will destroy wetlands around Mill Creek and undermine the City's progressive goals to promote active transportation, expand forest cover and reduce climate impacts. Kelowna lost nearly a quarter of its green spaces from 2001 to 2019, one of the worst records in Canada. Green space - especially intact wetlands - helps to cool cities, while roads make them hotter. Kelowna doesn't need to get any hotter!
Didn't We Just Build the Rail Trail?
Yep! Some lights and signage were only added last year. The Trail is a safe commuter route that reduces car traffic to UBC Okanagan, as well as a lovely place for a stroll.
People enjoy the Trail as it is - just look what they're saying about it!
What's being said about the trail
Take Action
Celebrate the Rail Trail!
Rail Trail 10 year Anniversary Celebration
Put on by the Kelowna and Area Cycling Coalition
as part of Go By Bike Week
June 01, 2025
1 pm - 4 pm
Kelowna, on the Rail Trail between Hardy St and Dilworth ave
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.
Kelowna Tree Protectors
Kelowna Cycling Coalition
Okanagan Climate Hub
Kelowna Climate Coaltition
Get in Touch
Save the Rail Trail Green Space Assn.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada