Kelowna Centre candidates split on second Okanagan Lake crossing
BC NDP and Conservative candidates in Kelowna Centre gave different answers on whether a second bridge across Okanagan Lake should be built.
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Candidates in Kelowna Centre gave competing answers on one of the Okanagan's longest-running infrastructure debates: whether British Columbia should build a second bridge across Okanagan Lake.
Global News reported on October 9, 2026, that a recent accident forcing southbound lane closures on the W.A.C. Bennett Bridge brought the question back into the provincial campaign two weeks before voting day.
What the candidates said
BC NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge told Global News there is already a plan to improve traffic flow on the existing bridge. "There's actually a plan on the books to improve traffic flow without the time and cost it would take, which would be billions of dollars to build a second crossing," Wooldridge said. He said his commitment if elected would be to advocate for Kelowna at the legislature.
Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen said planning for a second crossing should continue, with city and provincial cooperation. "We need to start planning for it in a way that works together with the city, works with multiple levels of government," Loewen told Global News. When asked whether her party was backing away from an earlier 2032 pledge, she said: "I don't feel like we're backtracking on that promise exactly. I would say that we're continuing to look at it."
Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson, speaking on the campaign trail, said he was listening to British Columbians on the question but did not reaffirm a specific timeline.
The BC Green Party candidate in Kelowna Centre was not available for comment, Global News reported.
The previous Conservative commitment
Global News reported that the Conservative Party promised during the 2024 election to build a second crossing by 2032 if elected. Under current interim leader Lorne Doerkson, that specific timeline is no longer being stated as a firm commitment.
The Ministry of Transportation has not included a second bridge across Okanagan Lake in its 20-year transportation plan, according to Global News.
For voters in Kelowna Centre
Voting day is October 24, 2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. Candidate pages for Kelowna Centre are on this site at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/loyal-wooldridge and /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/kristina-loewen. The full candidate list for the district is at Elections BC, electionsbc.ca.
Questions this story answers
What is the debate over a second Okanagan Lake crossing?
Okanagan Lake separates Kelowna from West Kelowna. Drivers cross on the W.A.C. Bennett Bridge, and traffic congestion there has been a recurring issue for years. The question of whether to build a second bridge has come up in several BC elections. Global News reported on October 9, 2026, that a recent accident that forced the closure of southbound lanes brought the issue back into the campaign. The Ministry of Transportation has not included a second bridge in its 20-year plan.
What did BC NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge say about the crossing?
Global News reported that Wooldridge said there is already a plan to improve traffic flow on the existing bridge without the cost of building a new one. He said building a second crossing would cost billions of dollars. Wooldridge committed to advocate for Kelowna if elected to the legislature. His position is to improve the existing infrastructure rather than fund a new bridge.
What did Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen say about the crossing?
Global News reported that Loewen said the party is continuing to plan for a second crossing, working with the city and multiple levels of government. When asked about the party's earlier promise to build a second crossing by 2032, she said she did not feel the party was backtracking, describing it as continuing to look at the issue. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said he was listening to British Columbians on the question, but did not reaffirm a specific timeline.
Did the BC Conservatives previously commit to a 2032 deadline for the crossing?
Yes. Global News reported that the Conservative Party made a promise during the 2024 election to build a second crossing by 2032 if elected. That specific timeline is no longer being reaffirmed under interim leader Lorne Doerkson. Loewen described the current position as planning and looking at options rather than a fixed deadline.
What does the Ministry of Transportation say about a second crossing?
According to Global News, the Ministry of Transportation has not included a second bridge in its 20-year transportation plan for the province. The article references a Ministry video explaining the decision, but does not quote from it directly.
What parties are running in Kelowna Centre in the 2026 election?
The BC NDP, Conservative Party of BC, BC Green Party, OneBC, and Centre BC all have candidates in Kelowna Centre for the October 24, 2026 election. The full candidate list for Kelowna Centre is available at Elections BC, electionsbc.ca. You can also view candidate pages for this riding on this site.
Where can Kelowna Centre voters find their candidates?
Kelowna Centre voters can view the candidates on this site at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/loyal-wooldridge and /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/kristina-loewen, and the full Elections BC candidate list at electionsbc.ca. Voting in Kelowna Centre takes place on October 24, 2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21.
What is the Kelowna Centre district?
Kelowna Centre is one of 93 provincial districts in British Columbia. Each district elects one MLA to the legislature on October 24, 2026. The district covers part of the city of Kelowna in the Okanagan region. Voters in Kelowna Centre can confirm their polling place at Elections BC, electionsbc.ca.
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