Save the RAIL TRAIL  Greenspace

Why the Clement Extension Should Not Be Built

The Clement Extension in Kelowna may seem like a sign of progress, but when you take a closer look, it becomes clear that this project is not worth the cost: financially, environmentally, or socially. As a community, we have a responsibility to speak up when a project threatens our city’s health, budget, and future. The Clement Extension is one of those projects.

The Logic Doesn’t Add Up

The cost of the Clement Extension in September of 2024 was estimated to be $135 million, which was about 18% of Kelowna’s entire Transportation Capital Programs and Projects budget over the next 10 years. That’s more than twice as much as other Transportation Projects in the city and will likely increase over time.  And what do we get for that money?  2 kilometers of road that maybe saves drivers 10 minutes of time; but even that benefit is likely to disappear quickly because of induced demand. This is when new roads attract more drivers, causing traffic to return to the same or worse levels. The B.C. Government recognizes that building more roads in the Kelowna area may lead to more congestion, not less.  In high-density environments, there simply isn’t enough room for everyone to drive. The math doesn’t work.  We need to use our roads more effciently, not just build more roads. 

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The original purpose of this extension was to connect a second bridge across Lake Okanagan, and extending the road to UBCO.  Neither of these are now part of the plan!  So, we’re left with a costly, disruptive 2 km of road that doesn’t even serve its original function.  Meanwhile, Highway 33 remains home to four of the top 10 most dangerous intersections in the Interior. Imagine what $135 million could do if spent instead on safer crossings, synchronized traffic lights, more transit, or protected bike lanes.  Or if it was spent on active transportation (bike, walking paths) or public transportation options:  Options that would actually decrease congestion as Kelowna's population becomes more dense and help more people in a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective way.

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We don't more roads!  In fact Cities like Toronto, Seoul and Paris have reduced roadways with no increase in congestion!   So can we!

A Project Full of Problems

Part of the reason for the price tag is that the planned route runs through a narrow corridor already filled with essential infrastructure, including two natural gas pipelines, a power substation, and high-voltage electric lines. Moving or working around these systems would be risky and complicated. It would create multiple intersections, realign trail sections, and introduce noise and safety risks.  The road would change the Okanagan Rail Trail, used by 600 to 1,200 people a day for biking, walking, and commuting, into a much less safe and comfortable bike and walking paths right beside a road.

 

On top of that, the land itself poses geotechnical risks, including high groundwater, steep slopes, and unstable soil. Engineers are already planning to build retaining walls as high as 16 metres, stretching over 400 metres in total, a major red flag for cost and complexity.

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Environmental and Cultural Damage

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The proposed route runs through one of Kelowna’s remaining urban river-based greenspaces, near Grist Mill Creek Historical Park. This area is home to wetlands, fish habitats, wildlife corridors, and even species at risk. The project would fall under five different environmental protection laws, including the Species at Risk Act, Fisheries Act and Kelowna's environmental permit area, and would normally require years of approvals and environmental offset plans. The city, unfortuneately, hasn't replied to our requests to see that these assessments, so we are not sure what the assessements say, or if they have been done. 

 

Kelowna has already buried much of one river (Brandt's creek).  Many other urban areas are talking about spending money reverting this paved-over-rivers areas back to a greenspace (an established process known as daylighting), including Kelowna.  Why not prevent that now and not build the Clement Extension in the first place!

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There are also archaeological concerns. The area includes known First Nations heritage sites, and there’s a strong chance of uncovering more archaeological artifacts. That means expensive testing, delays, and required consultation with Westbank First Nation. Why risk damaging sacred or historic sites when better transportation solutions already exist?  To make matters worse, several areas along the corridor are suspected of contamination from past industrial use, which could pose serious environmental and health risks. Cleanup would be necessary before building begins, adding yet another costly barrier to this already troubled project.

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A Threat to Community Health and Values

This road threatens not just nature, but community well-being. Urban greenspaces like this are critical to mental health, family life, and physical activity. Trees provide shade, clean the air, help prevent flooding and climate change. Kelowna has already lost a quarter of its greenspace in the last 20 years. South Kelowna residents enjoy riverfront green areas.  Why shouldn’t the north end of the city be allowed to keep theirs?

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This doesn’t just go against logic, it goes against the City of Kelowna’s own values. Council has made public promises to fight climate change, support active transportation, and improve livability. The Clement Extension breaks every one of those commitments.  And in a 2020 Survey by the city, 44% of respondents did NOT want the extension to proceed at all.  33% wanted the extension to go ahead as per the current plan but were quoted only a $60 mil price tag.  At $135 million plus, it is safe to say that many of the 33% would have rejected the project.  (Note that only 23% wanted to the extension to run from Spall to McCurdy as the original idea laid out.)  Kelowna residents do not want this project to go ahead! 

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 So why is the city going ahead with the project? 

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A Better Future Is Possible

The Clement Extension is expensive, unnecessary, and harmful. It doesn’t make sense financially, it’s full of logistical problems, and it poses serious risks to Kelowna’s people, nature, and heritage. We have smarter, safer, and greener ways to improve transportation. Let’s stop this project before it’s too late. Instead of paving over what makes Kelowna beautiful, let’s invest in a future that works for everyone.