Quote:
Originally Posted by CoryB
While not an expert on this Wilkes under the existing structure doesn't look like it would have enough space for four lanes, even if heavily restructured like was done on Roblin. It would seem that some significant earthwork would need to happen on the southern ramp of the existing structure.
When you say the new Wilkes structure would be built "south" I assume you mean east or west. With the existing development around the area building a new structure on the east side seems more likely.
In terms of the Assinboine River bridge, I would guess that existing structure would be used for the north bound lanes and a new structure built for south bound. That said if the plan is to go from six lanes back to four having the outside lanes as forced exists at Roblin might make sense for now. The traffic at that point on the Perimeter doesn't really warrant six lanes currently, it just needs people to learn to yield the right most lane to traffic merging in.
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Sorry, yes you're right. I was thinking about the realignment of Wilkes. The structure runs over Wilkes, so they'd have to do it similar to what was done at Roblin. Shutdown half, build new, then repeat on the other side.
While they're at it, increase the span lengths so they could have a 4 lane road below. You're right, they'd need to completely rebuild the ramps, which is likely going to be done anyways as those ramps are death traps. I'll think the Wilkes re-build would be even more extensive then the Roblin re-build.
I was thinking something like this. Red area is the widened and lengthened bridge. You can see the existing bridge underneath with the yellow outline. The red would be the new wilkes road and ramps (crudely drawn of course). $ lane Wilkes would end just at the west side of the bridge and taper back to 2 lanes. The 4 lanes would swing southward on the east side and connect into whatever new Sterling Lyon option is decided upon. Or if the actually get something planned correctly, they could move the whole interchange south, away from the tracks, and build a diamond or parclo of some sort. The City has the treatment plant just on the west side, so they have land. Not sure if there would be room for a highway though.