Council has hit the brakes on prioritizing the widening of city highways, despite new federal infrastructure cash on the horizon.

A motion from Stoney Creek Coun. Doug Conley — previously supported at public works committee — called for a feasibility study on expanding the Red Hill Valley and the Lincoln M. Alexander parkways.

It also called for the city to hit up the province and new federal government for much-needed millions to widen the roads, which tend to plug up at rush hour.

But lower city councillors panned the suggestion Wednesday and council eventually referred the issue to the ongoing master transportation plan review — where it is already being studied.

"For me, personally, it's not high on the priority list," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who added he preferred to see the issue studied "in context" along with all city transportation needs.

Coun. Sam Merulla noted staff had already committed to studying whether widening of the two highway-like roads is needed within the next 10 years.

He called the economic spin-off from the creation of the contentious Red Hill Valley Parkway "extraordinary" — but called the idea of widening it "so 1950s."

Conley said he hadn't meant to "jump the queue" in introducing the motion to make expansion a funding priority. But he emphasized the city can't wait forever to acknowledge population growth and growing congestion in the area.

Coun. Terry Whitehead noted it took 40-plus years to earn approvals and build the Red Hill parkway, so it makes sense to "start the conversation" now.

He also argued the city risks endangering critical "just-in-time delivery" to its successful new business parks by ignoring growing congestion on the multi-lane arteries.

The review of the transportation master plan is expected to be complete within about eight months.

But a report on the safety of both the Linc and the Red Hill will come to council next month, and public works head Gerry Davis said some limited improvements to the highways could happen right away as a result.