The 401

[sonysnob]

Another view of the 401 looking east from Hurontario. Both the express and collector lanes have now been surfaced with asphalt. Work is still ongoing to surface the paved shoulders:

https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_342_east_C_Jul24-26_42x28.png

[haljackey]

The 401 finally done end to end.

news story
• Video Link

[MolsonExport]

^except for the permanent construction on that stretch in KW and of course, just east of Wellington in London (which seems to be under construction for the better part of 20+ years, off and on).

[Innsertnamehere]

The 401 is over 800km long, it will always have construction on it.

[MolsonExport]

Indeed, but will it always have construction on the same spots?

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Indeed, but will it always have construction on the same spots?

Sure seems so. The eastbound 401 exit at Leslie has been ongoing for close to a decade. Milling seems constant in Scarborough and elsewhere. If it is feasible, which it likely is not, the MTO should widen the 401 past Oshawa. Throughout the day, it almost never fails to slow down to a crawl in the Brock Rd. and Salem Rd. areas due to traffic volume. More than 10 lanes are needed.

[jammer139]

Like all major infrastructure it will always need maintenance and reconstruction projects.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_401

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

The 401 is over 800km long, it will always have construction on it.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by Gresto

If it is feasible, which it likely is not, the MTO should widen the 401 past Oshawa. Throughout the day, it almost never fails to slow down to a crawl in the Brock Rd. and Salem Rd. areas due to traffic volume. More than 10 lanes are needed.

Making the 407E/412/418 free bought some time to the 401 in Oshawa as there's capacity 'freed' up on these now toll-free highways.

However that bottleneck between Salem and the 412 has got to be fixed. 10 lanes to 6 just before the 412 exit? The one where traffic will get dispersed on two routes? You gotta fix that to have a lane or even two default on 412.

I am against dedicated exit lanes to toll highways, but since the 412 isn't tolled anymore, get it done.

The relief this bypass of Oshawa provides will give drivers a good alternate route when the 401 finally gets widened here. First push would be to continue 10 lanes to the 418, and then 8 lanes to the 35/115.

You could then extend the collector/express to the 412 interchange later as I know that's the 'ultimate' eastern end of the system and that junction was designed with it in mind.

[MolsonExport]

Just you wait in case Dougie gets his 401 tunnel.

If it comes to pass, I fearlessly predict the following:
1) traffic snarl-ups during construction will be monumental.
2) it will take decades to build.
3) it will cost triple whatever they say it will cost.
4) it will not solve traffic problems, just shift them to onramps and onto the connecting street grid
5) maintenance will be a real bitch.

Remember the "Big Dig" of Boston? Dougie's tunnel, in comparison, would make it seem like a traffic circle.

[Innsertnamehere]

Ironically downtown Boston’s traffic has been fairly good since building the Big Dig. Obviously it still gets congested during rush hour but for as maligned as that project was, traffic on I-93 generally moves fairly well.

A lot of the rest of the Boston freeway network is woefully outdated and congests heavily still, but that part is generally pretty good.

[MolsonExport]

I've driven through Boston before and after the Big Dig, and yes, it certainly improves traffic flow.

Yet, the project was that originally was scheduled to be completed in 1998 at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion, ended up being completed in December 2007 at a cost of $14.6 billion.

Was it worth it?

And then there was this:

On July 10, 2006, concrete ceiling panels and debris weighing 26 short tons (24 tonnes) and measuring 20 by 40 ft (6.1 by 12.2 m) fell on a car traveling on the two-lanev ramp connecting northbound I-93 to eastbound I-90 in South Boston

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig

My own comparison would be to Montreal's "Big Owe" (Olympic Stadium), which is STILL costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, on account of the roof needing replacement for the third or fourth time.

Here's a better Idea: make the 407 toll free. I can't describe how much I hate the ETR-407 group. Ontario built it, and then Mike Harris ("common nonsense") "sold" it to a foreign private firm who is charging the highest highway fees on the planet.

Highway 407 per-kilometre toll rates have increased by between 180% and 988% since the highway first opened and was leased to private operators.

When It Opened (1997–1999): The flat rate was 10¢ per kilometre at all times of the day.Off-Peak Rates Today (2026): The lowest standard rate sits at 28¢ per kilometre, which is a 180% increase.Peak Rush Hour Rates Today (2026): Heavy rush hour tolls on the most congested central zones reach up to $1.088 per kilometre, representing a 988% increase

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I've driven through Boston before and after the Big Dig, and yes, it certainly improves traffic flow.

Yet, the project was that originally was scheduled to be completed in 1998 at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion, ended up being completed in December 2007 at a cost of $14.6 billion.

Was it worth it?

And then there was this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig

My own comparison would be to Montreal's "Big Owe" (Olympic Stadium), which is STILL costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, on account of the roof needing replacement for the third or fourth time.

Here's a better Idea: make the 407 toll free. I can't describe how much I hate the ETR-407 group. Ontario built it, and then Mike Harris ("common nonsense") "sold" it to a foreign private firm who is charging the highest highway fees on the planet.

Highway 407 per-kilometre toll rates have increased by between 180% and 988% since the highway first opened and was leased to private operators.

When It Opened (1997–1999): The flat rate was 10¢ per kilometre at all times of the day.Off-Peak Rates Today (2026): The lowest standard rate sits at 28¢ per kilometre, which is a 180% increase.Peak Rush Hour Rates Today (2026): Heavy rush hour tolls on the most congested central zones reach up to $1.088 per kilometre, representing a 988% increase

The last valuation of 407ETR is over $41 billion dollars.. That's how much the province would have to spend to repurchase it and remove tolls.

And buying it back would buy minimal to no actual new capacity in the GTA. The reality is that the highway is almost full, especially in the central section, as it is during rush hour.

That $41 billion would be infinitely better spent actually building new infrastructure. For comparison a 22km, 6-lane motorway tunnel was recently built in Sydney Australia for $21 billion CAD - 22km is roughly equal to a tunnel from Highway 427 to Highway 404.. $41 billion would buy you about 43km of 6-lane freeway tunnel at those prices, and significantly more above-grade freeway construction. MTO built the 401 widening through Milton and Mississauga for $640 million or a meagre $35 million per kilometre.. $41 billion buys you a whopping 1,100 kilometres of at-grade 10-12 lane freeway at those prices! Similarly The Bradford Bypass west contract was issued for $550 million this spring.. buys about 6km of new rural freeway and a full flyover freeway interchange. The entire Bradford bypass will likely end up costing a little bit over a billion total for 16km.

Freeways actually aren't that expensive to build, especially if you ignore land costs.

[sonysnob]

Two views looking both west and east from the Sixth Line overpass in Milton:



https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_west_WB_Aug26_42x28.jpg


https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_east_EB_Aug26_42x28.jpg

[sonysnob]

View looking west along Highway 401 from the Dingman Drive overpass in London:


https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_184_west_EB_Jun25_42x28.jpg

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

View looking west along Highway 401 from the Dingman Drive overpass in London

More than 50% of the traffic exits/enters from the 402 than continues at the 401 now, looking at the latest traffic data. Quite the split.

Gordie Howe's opening might change that stat.

[haljackey]

• Video Link

[sonysnob]

Easterly view from the Brimley Road overpass in Scarborough over the 401. Work is underway to remove the old steel beam guiderail that separates the express and collector lanes:


https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_380_east_EB-EXP_Aug26_42x28.png