City council chose its option for reconstruction of Hamilton Boulevard at Monday evening's meeting.

The choice will include replacing the lights at Elijah Smith Elementary School with a roundabout.

The $3.2-million project is expected to be completed this summer, and is likely to be tendered after the Yukon government passes its annual budget, government spokesman Matt King said today.

The annual budget, the Yukon Party's second since being elected in November 2002, is scheduled to be introduced in the legislature tomorrow.

Council approved the proposal unanimously.

Option two, as it has been referred to in public meetings and open houses, calls for the construction of a third lane, running from Falcon Drive toward downtown Sumanik Drive, where the four lanes begin.

The existing two lanes, according to the proposal, will serve the traffic moving from downtown into the McIntyre, Granger and Copper Ridge areas.

Plans call for the two existing lanes, also referred to as the soon-to-be southbound lanes, to be separated from the new northbound lane by a five-metre median. Beside the new northbound lane will be a three-metre wide bicycle path.

The proposal also calls for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of McIntyre Drive and the Elijah Smith school.

Coun. Yvonne Harris also asked city administration to ensure that the existing recreational trail that runs along the west side of Hamilton Boulevard is maintained sufficiently so it can double as a cross-country ski trail in the winter for those who want to ski to the aquatic centre and such.

The government is covering the cost of the project as part of the agreement it has with the city to supply necessary upgrades to infrastructure as it opens up more and home residential lots in that area.