The Southwest Bypass was opened in 1974 as a local route primarily designed to reduce traffic pressure on the main highway by offering an alternate route into the city from Walden and points west, as well as enabling through traffic to travel between the two provincial highways without needing to directly enter the city's urban street network. The road was considered part of the provincial highway system, although it was designated with a secret 7000-series number and was never signed as a provincial highway — only with trailblazers to Highway 69 eastbound and Highway 17 westbound.