The first phase of the perimeter freeway is expected to run from Highway 16, past Wanuskewin Road to the east side of the river. The city’s committee on transportation received an update on the project Monday afternoon.

Jay Magus, the city’s Director of Transportation told councillors that Highway 11 will likely be realigned to connect with Wanuskewin Road rather than Highway 12 and Idylwyld Drive, although Councillor Randy Donauer said there will also be an option for drivers coming into the city from the north to continue and access Idylwyld similar to the way they do now.

Donauer, who sits on the steering committee for the freeway project says the freeway is a provincial project and that they’ll “foot the bill”. The Ward 5 City Councillor says the project is still 10 to 20 years down the road. The 55 kilometer-long freeway is expected to have 16 interchanges, five railway overpasses, a bridge crossing the river and at least two flyovers.

The plans also don’t include having Millar Avenue connect to the freeway. “So Millar will go over or under with no connections to the freeway,” said Magnus at Monday’s meeting.

Open houses on showcasing the proposed plans for the freeway are scheduled to take place later this year. No costs or bridge construction details were discussed at the meeting. Committee received the report as information.