A second crossing over Okanagan Lake could land over the southern edge of Knox Mountain.

That's one of four options being presented by the provincial Ministry of Transportation during a series of open houses this week dealing with transportation issues in the Central Okanagan.

A second crossing of the lake was brought up by former premier Bill Bennett at the opening of the bridge that bears his named a decade ago. It's been studied by the province for the past two years.

The top option for a landing spot is over the edge of Knox Mountain above Poplar Point Drive and over the parking lot and tennis courts, continuing along the base of the mountain to Gordon Drive.

The province admits there would be noise and visual impacts to area residents and impacts to the Tolko Mill.

Three other options, labeled 2A, B and C, all jump off near Manhattan Point.

Option 2A assumes closure of Tolko and would impact commercial, industrial and residential properties on Ellis Street.

The other two options, crossing at Bay Avenue and Manhattan Drive respectively, would connect with Richter and Gordon. The Bay Avenue option would affect mill operations, the Manhattan Drive option would not.

Both would have both a visual and noise impact on area residents, while the Bay Avenue option would require acquisition of some properties at Manhattan Point.

A jump off point on the west side of Okanagan Lake will be determined first by the landing spot in Kelowna.

Construction of a possible second crossing is just one transportation option being explored, but it could be several years out.

According to the ministry, the current William R. Bennett Bridge won't reach its load capacity until 2040.

Photo: Ministry off Transportation