An estimated $750 million to $1 billion will be needed to implement proposals outlined in a massive transportation study suggested by Metro's streets and transit department Thursday.

The report recommends a 5.4 mile rapid transit subway, 56 miles of high-speed freeways and 13 new bridges to meet traffic requirements by 1991.

It is proposed that the subway — or some other form of rapid transit extend along Portage Avenue from the Polo Park centre to Main Street, north to Burrows Avenue, then east to cross the Red River into East Kildonan.

Elected officials on many levels still have to give their approval.

Eleven stations could be placed at key points along the route and would have underground connections to important sites such as Mall Centre, Eaton's department store and the Richardson complex at Portage and Main.

More details of the proposal were presented to a Manitoba transportation conference sponsored by Manitoba division of the Community Planning Association of Canada in the Hotel Fort Garry.

D. I. MacDonald, Metro transit director, said he is convinced that the transportation study is the most complete and comprehensive one ever undertaken by any city in Canada and possibly North America.

It outlines a 25-year projection of transportation requirements.

All its recommendations, according to Mr. MacDonald, could be realized in the future by Winnipeg.

"We are not talking about costs this community can't afford. We think we have a basis to build on."

"This study utilizes the latest and newest techniques of traffic prediction involving high-speed computers."

H. F. Burns, Metro engineer, said that if Greater Winnipeg maintains its present street system without change, two-thirds of the intersections would be clogged at peak traffic hours, compared with 10 per cent today.

According to the plans, the 10 per cent congestion rate would be maintained in 1991, when there will be twice as many vehicles on the roads.

"I'm afraid every city will have to live with that. We can't eliminate congestion completely," Mr. Burns said.

He said the plan would allow the driver to take just six minutes to get downtown from Winnipeg International Airport on the freeway. It now takes at least 12 minutes.

The road network of 369 miles under Metro's jurisdiction would see just 19 per cent of the daily traffic volume passing through downtown, compared with 43 per cent today.

Mr. Burns said that subways have helped other Canadian cities develop and that it could do the same here. The new road network could help reduce the cost of consumer goods and services by allowing commercial transport vehicles to save time and money.

"The proposals could produce savings for the motorist, more efficient service, an improved climate for investment, reduced government costs, better access to residential, commercial and recreation areas and an improved commercial environment."