A long-term plan for Airport Trail could see the city spending $322 million more than what they’ve already spent on a tunnel.

A new city report says plans to better connect the east-west corridor from Deerfoot Trail to Stoney Trail are far off but critics are concerned we may have to come up with the cash sooner than we think.

The plans are long term; with a target date of 2039.

The idea is to make traffic flow more easily in and out of that section of the city, but Alderman Gord Lowe tells the Calgary Herald, taxpayers should be worried.

The city has already spent $294 million on a tunnel underneath a runway at the airport.

He’s afraid more money will be shelled out sooner, rather than later for overpasses at Barlow Trail and 19th Street N.E.

However, Ward 3′s Jim Stevenson says the changes will only be made if future leaders deem them necessary.

Ultimately, the decision will be up to future members of city council, to decide whether it’s worth the expense.