The province has awarded a $645,000 contract to WSP Canada to study the interchange at Pitts Memorial and the Trans Canada.

The Department of Transportation says the study will be carried out in two phases.

The first phase will examine current traffic levels from Peacekeeper’s Way and the Manuels Access Road through CBS, Pitts Memorial and into the downtown – as well as the TCH from Paddy’s Pond to Allandale Road including all connecting roads, ramps and intersections.

Phase two will focus on the future of the existing cloverleaf.

WSP Canada will develop and evaluate several design concepts, including upgrades to the current interchange and configuration as well as entirely new interchange options.

A draft report is expected by late next summer.