CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — A massive traffic study is underway in Cambridge, which is examining the environmental impact of a bridge over the Grand River.

Environmentalists have opposed a bridge over the Grand, claiming it will disrupt bald eagle habitat.

But with traffic volumes steadily increasing, the Region of Waterloo is desperately trying to find ways to alleviate some of that congestion. Coun. Ted Fairless is one of the advocates of adding more roads and bridges to the area.

"What’s going to happen in 2016 when we have another 30,000 more people here? It will become worse," Fairless tells local media after relating that it took him 35 minutes to travel eight kilometres recently.

He points out that for 20 years, studies have shown that more roads need to be built to cross Cambridge more efficiently and improve traffic flow.

Former mayor Jane Brewer, says she supports the construction of more roads. But she says it’s also important to consider the environmental impact.

"Unless we do this environmental assessment, we can’t get provincial approval and we won’t be able to work toward getting some money," Brewer tells local media.