Mr. Wolfe said at a news conference the 5.4-mile underground system would relieve Portage Avenue congestion between Main Street and Polo Park. Its cost was estimated two years ago at $130 million. The subway was originally proposed for construction between 1982 and 1991 in the Winnipeg Area Transportation Study which placed priority on construction of the western freeway between 1972 and 1976.

Mr. Wolfe said the construction boom downtown will lead to impossible traffic congestion on Portage without a subway.

Both he and Mr. Levin shied away from the suggestion but left the impression that large Canadian financial interests are reluctant to invest in the huge $200 million downtown re-development without definite plans for an early rapid transit system.

Tentatively, the subway would be routed under Portage from Polo Park to Main St. The plan then extends the subway north along Main St. and east over the Red River.