Nine speakers presented their thoughts or concerns to Saskatoon City Council Monday afternoon about the proposed freeway that would circle most of the outside of the city. Among them, Max Abraham with the Saskatchewan Environmental Society called for a full review of the environmental impacts of the placement of the freeway. Louise Jones of the Northeast Swale Watchers believes a full, comprehensive study needs to be done so we don’t have to look back in 20 years and regret any decisions.

The freeway is expected to be a four-lane, 55 kilometre divided highway which would begin at Highway 7 west of the city, and travel north and east around the city ending at Highway 11 south of Saskatoon. The study will consider the placement of 16 interchanges, 5 railway overpasses, at least 2 flyovers and one major river crossing. It would also go through the Northeast Swale and Small Swale.

There is no timetable for a final decision on the freeway’s construction.