It suggests, with road improvements already planned, that traffic would be delayed but functional.

"From a transportation engineering perspective, it will function but it will take a little longer than it used to. So it's really what our tolerance level is," said Phil Hewitson, manager of active transportation and LRT. "If I say you're going to be delayed 30 seconds, it doesn't sound like much. But to someone who's used to no delay, it's very, very subjective."

Waterloo approved a Costco proposal for 924 and 930 Erb St. W. with a host of conditions related to traffic in 2014. The developer is appealing those conditions at the Ontario Municipal Board, which decides land planning disputes.

The city then hired a consultant to review a host of studies on west side traffic, including those submitted by Costco with its development application.

Assumptions for 2016 and 2024 were reviewed for the Ira Needles Boulevard and Erb Street intersection and the Erbsville Road and Columbia Street intersection.

Planned road improvements and developments to 2024 were taken into account.

The consultant said at Erb and Ira Needles delays would be minimal, at most reaching 25 seconds during evening rush hour in 2024.

At Erbsville and Columbia, the 2016 forecast would cause delays of 35 seconds or less but improvements would be needed by 2024 even without Costco or the intersection will be a mess.

The region has several upgrades planned, but not immediately.

They include the widening of Erb to four lanes between Wilmot Line and Fischer-Hallman Road and the widening of Erb fronting Costco to four lanes, with two roundabouts installed near the regional landfill.

Coun. Brian Bourke said to his knowledge the city will continue defending itself at the Ontario Municipal Board.

"People need to get engaged and let us know what their concerns are because with the decision being in the hands of the (Ontario Municipal Board), it's critical that people who believe that there will be problems stand up and say something," Bourke said.

Bourke wants to hear what residents think about the traffic review and a more thorough study the city will undertake for the area.

It will examine transportation and development for the next 20 years on Waterloo's west side

The city hosted an open house on Thursday to run its study plan past residents and get their feedback.

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The current plan would study everything west of, and including, Erbsville Road and Ira Needles Boulevard, with potential extension into Kitchener and Township of Wilmot.

Issues would include funding, road network expansion south of Erb, land use and phasing options for the west side employment lands and working with the Region of Waterloo and other municipalities on roads the city doesn't own.