This latest step of the multi-phase, $350-million project includes enhancements to the arena’s 300, 400 and 500 levels.

Crews have widened sections of the highway from Coughlin Road to Highway 582 and from Highway 587 to Pearl Lake.

So far, no project has received the national interest designation, which would help garner special treatment to help it move forward.

The plan calls for the construction of a new event centre, new north side stands for the TD Place stadium, a new retail space and two residential towers.

Once complete, the facility would become North America’s first cobalt sulfate refinery, producing 6,500 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt annually.