Route 17 is the lowest numbered Winnipeg city route. Despite its comparatively short length of 5 km (3 mi), the speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph). The first section of roadway (between Main and Henderson) was opened on October 19, 1990, and officially named the Chief Peguis Trail on November 1, 1991.[4] The second section was opened on December 2, 2011.
The first extension routes most vehicular traffic away from collector and residential streets throughout the North Kildonan ward travelling west-east.
The extension includes features such as:
Grade-separated overpass at Rothesay Street
Pedestrian bridge just west of Gateway Road—allowing the Northeast Pioneers Greenway to pass overtop of the CPT, circumventing the at-grade crosswalk
Built-in Active Transportation trail along the northern projection
Chief Peguis Trail crosses the Red River. The bridge over the river is called the Kildonan Settlers Bridge, and features names of local early settlers of the area on each street light.
Chief Peguis Trail is part of a proposed strategic inner ring road, alternative to the Perimeter Highway.[5]