Okanagan Lake Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Okanagan Lake Bridge (also known as the Kelowna Floating Bridge) was a three-lane, 2,100 foot/650 metre-long floating bridge
in British Columbia
, Canada
. It crossed Okanagan Lake
, connecting the Westside area to Kelowna
on the lake's eastern side. Taller boats such as sailboats were able to pass under the lift span which was located at the east end of the bridge. Completed in 1958, the bridge was the first of its kind in Canada. The bridge was partially funded through tolls, which were collected from its opening until April 1, 1963.
Originally the bridge only had 2 lanes, (1 in each direction), but in 1984 the bridge deck was reconfigured and a third lane was added. This new lane became a counter-flow lane, and would allow the lanes to adjust to traffic demand at different times of the day. In 1991 the bridge underwent major electrical repairs and a breakwater was removed.
The bridge served as an important regional transportation link in the Okanagan Valley, joining the southward section of Highway 97 on the west side of the lake to the northward section on the east side, and connecting Westbank
and other southern points to Lake Country
and other northern points.
The floating bridge has been replaced as it has outlived its usefulness and is incapable of supporting the current traffic levels. The construction of the new replacement bridge—the William R. Bennett Bridge
—began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. The new bridge opened on May 25, 2008, and the old bridge closed May 31, 2008. Currently SNC-Lavlin, the company in charge of construction and maintenance for of the William R. Bennett Bridge for the next 30 years, intend to sink parts of the old bridge into the lake upon completion of the new bridge as no buyers, including the City of Kelowna, have come forward. It was decommissioned in 2009.
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water and in which barge- or boat-like pontoons support the bridge deck and its dynamic loads. While pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It crossed Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island...
, connecting the Westside area to Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
on the lake's eastern side. Taller boats such as sailboats were able to pass under the lift span which was located at the east end of the bridge. Completed in 1958, the bridge was the first of its kind in Canada. The bridge was partially funded through tolls, which were collected from its opening until April 1, 1963.
Originally the bridge only had 2 lanes, (1 in each direction), but in 1984 the bridge deck was reconfigured and a third lane was added. This new lane became a counter-flow lane, and would allow the lanes to adjust to traffic demand at different times of the day. In 1991 the bridge underwent major electrical repairs and a breakwater was removed.
The bridge served as an important regional transportation link in the Okanagan Valley, joining the southward section of Highway 97 on the west side of the lake to the northward section on the east side, and connecting Westbank
Westbank, British Columbia
Westbank is one of the communities within the district municipality of West Kelowna in the province of British Columbia. It is 12 km to the west of Kelowna. Other communities in West Kelowna include Casa Loma, West Kelowna Estates, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Lakeview...
and other southern points to Lake Country
Lake Country, British Columbia
Lake Country is a District Municipality with a population of approximately 10,000 in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The city of Kelowna lies to the south, while the city of Vernon lies to the north. As its name suggests, there are a number of lakes in the vicinity of Lake Country,...
and other northern points.
The floating bridge has been replaced as it has outlived its usefulness and is incapable of supporting the current traffic levels. The construction of the new replacement bridge—the William R. Bennett Bridge
William R. Bennett Bridge
The William R. Bennett Bridge is a bridge in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Completed on May 25, 2008, the bridge replaced the older Okanagan Lake Bridge built in 1958 to link Downtown Kelowna to West Kelowna across Okanagan Lake as part of Highway 97.On April 21, 2005, premier...
—began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. The new bridge opened on May 25, 2008, and the old bridge closed May 31, 2008. Currently SNC-Lavlin, the company in charge of construction and maintenance for of the William R. Bennett Bridge for the next 30 years, intend to sink parts of the old bridge into the lake upon completion of the new bridge as no buyers, including the City of Kelowna, have come forward. It was decommissioned in 2009.