And this my friends is why the 71st Street "at-grade" crossing needs to go.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskat...ideo-1.2892748
I did this almost a year ago now.
Had a little more fun with the North end of Saskatoon Fixes. Looking at the 10 most wanted interchanges I saw Marquis and Idylwyld is on for 2015 (better get started quick!)
Anyway here is the design I have come up with.
Notes on the Design:
- 71st not allowed to directly access either Hwy 11 or 16
- 60th Street eliminate direct access to Hwy 11
- Direct all Industrial / Commercial traffic to Marquis and Beam Road
- Add loop at Hwy 16 and Marquis for egress from CUC (Sask Place)
- Closing 60th street for exit from CUC increases traffic speed along Idylwlyd Freeway allowing faster evacuation of CUC.
- Closing grade crossing increases safety and allows for speed limit increase to 100-110km/h allowing for faster evacuation of traffic.
- Recently upgraded Marquis Dr. permits more travel east before turning south.
- Similar upgrade to Beam Rd to Dalmany Rd increases egress of event / industrial space around CUC / Marquis Industrial.
- Install traffic lights at Marquis and Thatcher Ave, as well as, Bill Hunter Ave. to better control vehicle turns during large events.
- Upgrades / Overpasses in this area reduces need for Police attention, allowing them to focus on other area's of the city.
Estimated Cost to upgrade current infrastructure and build two new interchanges between $80-100M.