Saskatoon city council holds off on endorsing controversial freeway project [Video]

Saskatoon city council opted not to endorse a proposed freeway around Saskatoon that would pass through two sensitive natural wetlands at its regular business meeting Wednesday.

Instead, the council voted to defer a decision and have Mayor Charlie Clark send a letter to the provincial government requesting more information from the province.

“If we simply don’t endorse it, it leaves everybody sort of in this sort of no man’s land going forward,” city solicitor Cindy Yelland said when answering questions from councillors.

Councillors were asked to approve the second phase of the Ministry of Highways project, running from Highway 11 south of Saskatoon around the east side of the city up to the South Saskatchewan River.

While the ministry doesn’t require the city council’s endorsement, administration says it will provide certainty to landowners and developers as the city plans more than 20 years into the future.

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