Ikea store opening sparks traffic congestion fears

People living near Winnipeg's new Ikea store say they fear traffic chaos as eager shoppers flock to the area.

The Swedish furniture retailer is opening the Winnipeg location to much hype and excitement on Wednesday morning.

The store is located on Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway in the southwest part of the city.

Traffic on Kenaston between Sterling Lyon and McGillivray Boulevard has grown from 43,000 vehicles a day in 2002 to more than 60,000 vehicles a day today, according to the City of Winnipeg.

City officials say they have made upgrades to roads in the area in anticipation of Ikea and other large commercial developments opening there.

But residents like Mike Hutsal, who has lived in the area for the past eight years, said he has already been dealing with traffic congestion, and not just during rush hour.

"I came home yesterday at noon to have some lunch and I come straight west on Taylor," he told CBC News on Tuesday.

"I just cross Kenaston, and Kenaston was moving at a crawl yesterday at 1 in the afternoon.

Hutsal said he thinks traffic will be much slower in a couple weeks.

Charleswood-Tuxedo Coun. Paula Havixbeck says something needs to be done now to alleviate traffic congestion there even before large stores open.