A new overpass meant to fix traffic congestion in South Edmonton Common could be downgraded to a road widening.

City councillors spent Monday trying to trim the $300 million transportation construction budget because the economic boom has sent construction costs soaring.

That's when a group of councillors proposed revisiting the $125 million overpass project at 23 Avenue and Gateway Boulevard. They suggested widening the roads instead, using land the city already owns, at a cost of $40 million.

The idea was defeated, but the vote was close.

Mayor Stephen Mandel said afterwards that the cheaper plan makes sense, and he'll try to get it through again.

"This is $40 million, we already bought the land, so it's a good option."

Councillor Mike Nickel, who represents southwest Edmonton, says the intersection has major traffic problems.

"That really actually scares me to think we have some on council who think that this interchange isn't really necessary."