Looking out 10, 20 years, the one biggest shift that I think the area should be aware of is we do face some challenges in terms of global warming and climate change …
We think we need to see a change in the urban form. We need to see more density. We need to see more opportunities for more high-rises, because that is much friendlier in terms of environmental and greenhouse gas output.
That, I think, is something that is going to be a pretty significant shift as we go forward.
– Then Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon
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Tyee writer Andrew MacLeod says Falcon made those remarks at the time of the May 2008 opening of William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, with the bridge’s namesake former premier the guest of honour at the $140,000 ribbon-cutting celebration.
“Bennett said at the time the government should immediately get started on the next crossing, but it was an idea Falcon strongly opposed …”
Times and the government have changed. Now it’s more Motordom, with the brakes off:
Less than six years after opening a new bridge across Okanagan Lake, the British Columbia government is spending $2 million to begin planning another crossing.
That’s the Liberals in a nutshell. They know what they’re doing is a bad idea, but they do it anyway cause they’re afraid to make any real decisions.
In some less dense regions, like the Okanagan, not having a car is just not practical.