In preparation for September, UBC Okanagan would like to update the campus community on a number of improvements on campus and within the surrounding area that will enhance how you get to, from and around campus.
These improvements include alternative transportation, access routes to campus, pedestrian experiences and university wayfinding.
To assist with navigating these changes, here is a snapshot of what to expect in September.
Transit
To complement the Transit Exchange that was constructed last year, the City of Kelowna and BCTransit have improved the frequency and number of routes that serve campus. Starting in September, these will include:
- The #6 Glenmore route offering express bus service from downtown Kelowna, via Glenmore, and across the new John Hindle Drive accompanied by extended service hours and frequency
- Re-routing the #4 Pandosy/UBCO Express from Highway 97 to Academy Way
- Extending #23 Lake Country service hours and frequency
Find out more about transit to campus on the UBC Okanagan Transportation site.
Walking
Access to and from campus by foot will see a new pedestrian overpass constructed by The City of Kelowna stretching across John Hindle Drive from Academy Way to the south edge of campus, just south of the Reichwald Health Services Centre.
Find out more about walking to and around campus on the UBC Okanagan Transportation site.
Cycling
This September, cyclists will enjoy more access to campus via the following new and improved routes completed by The City of Kelowna:
- The new John Hindle Drive multipurpose separated pathway and on-street bike lane
- A newly paved Okanagan Rail Trail connecting from Downtown Kelowna
- Acland Road/Bulman Road/Highway 97 underpass from Rutland
- Academy Way and Hollywood Road/Innovation Drive bike lanes
To support the increase of cyclists that these changes bring, expect a significant increase in the number of bike racks and lockers throughout the campus core.
Find out more about cycling facilities around campus on the UBC Okanagan Transportation site.
University Way changes
The opening of the new municipal road John Hindle Drive will provide a new entrance to campus from the west − Upper Campus Way.
John Hindle Drive will open in early September and offer quick and easy access to campus from the Glenmore area, as well as reduce traffic pressures on the existing east entrance on University Way.
The opening of a new west entrance to campus from John Hindle Drive will also allow the closure of University Way in the centre of campus to general vehicle traffic allowing for a shift to a pedestrianized experience in the campus core.
University Way will be permanently closed to vehicle traffic between International Mews and immediately west of Parking Lot F entrance.
To ensure pedestrian safety bollards and signage will denote the changes and prohibit vehicle access.
To avoid traffic confusion with the closure of University Way, access to west campus destinations — i.e. the Gym, Reichwald Health Sciences Centre, University Children’s Learning Centre, Upper Campus Health Building, all student residences, as well as parking lots C, G, K, M, R and W — will be accessible from John Hindle Drive via the new Upper Campus Way in early September.
For your safety, please obey signage and allow yourself extra time when travelling through these areas.
Updated wayfinding signage
To help you navigate through these campus changes, Campus Planning and Development will be introducing updated wayfinding signage throughout campus to help guide everyone through all these changes.
All of these improvements will improve and enrich the campus community’s experience making it easier to get to and from campus as well as move within.
To find out more about these changes and how you can navigate to, from and around campus visit the UBC Okanagan Wayfinding Map and Transportation website.
