A report set to go before a city committee in the coming days is putting forward a possibility to fast-track transforming Yellowhead Trail into a freeway.
According to recent reports, it could take more than 20 years to remove traffic lights and install overpasses and interchanges on the roadway.
“The sooner we can get this work started, the sooner we can get the monies flowing, the better off we’re going to be,” Councillor Tony Caterina said.
However, a new report scheduled to go before the Transportation Committee October 1 recommends the city apply under the ‘Building Canada Fund’ from the federal government.
Funding from Ottawa could provide up to a third of the $687 million that would be needed for the projects.
Officials said the funding could shorten the timeline by half.
“If all the cards came together and the funding was arranged, instead of two decades, it might only take one decade to get it done,” Rob Gibbard with Edmonton Transportation SVCS said.
The City would still have to fund the remaining costs, estimated at $460 million.
Caterina suggested approaching the provincial government to cover a third of the cost, and then borrowing money to pay for the rest.
With files from Bill Fortier
