Highways in Canada

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by Andrewjm3D

If only it really was a 5 minute drive. Anybody who's driven cross country knows the stretch from from Winnipeg almost all the way to Calgary is pretty flat and featureless. Most people I know that make the trip now drop down through Detroit then back up through Sunburst or Billings.

Of course. Because we all know that the prairies end at the 49th parallel. You have to drive through all of those mountains and forests between Minneapolis and Billings.

[LeftCoaster]

Well no but the highways are much better so might as well head south.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Well no but the highways are much better so might as well head south.

On Monday I drove from Banff to Regina, 4 lanes all the way 120km/hr. Our TCH is just fine.

[jmt18325]

The time is very similar if you take the northern Ontario route (11, and it going to Montreal or further west, 66 and 117). That way, you avoid going through 3 large US cities, which despite the better highways, can be very time consuming.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

On Monday I drove from Banff to Regina, 4 lanes all the way 120km/hr. Our TCH is just fine.

I think he's referring to the Northern Ontario highways, which, despite many improvements, are not and will probably never be the equal of US interstates. I won't say anything about the BC mountain routes, as they're making large strides, and there's only about 350 km left to do.

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

You're right... Windsor to Tilbury really is a luxury at six lanes. Really, they probably could have gotten away with just slapping a tall wall between the old existing lanes of the highway instead. But... (and I say this after having driven to Windsor from Toronto yesterday, and back to Toronto today), that the six lane stretch really breaks up the otherwise monotonous drive between Windsor and London.

Lets hope before 2020 they actually eight or ten lane the 401 between Milton and the 407.

Had the 401 had a wider median between Tilbury and Windsor, it wouldn't be in it's present state. I think with all the earthworks required to put the drainage, and the centre median in, it would be most cost effective to do all the widening to 6 lanes now, even though traffic volumes won't be warranted for maybe another 20-30 years.

It certainly is a bit odd, because of how much traffic is on the London-Woodstock segment compared to Tilbury-Windsor, but the upgrades were done strictly for safety reasons. Likely would have cost just as much to upgrade the highway to 4 lanes with the safety controls like paved shoulders and the concrete barrier than to just do it all in one shot.

[vid]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

The time is very similar if you take the northern Ontario route (11, and it going to Montreal or further west, 66 and 117). That way, you avoid going through 3 large US cities, which despite the better highways, can be very time consuming.

The northern route is more boring. It should be done once just to say you've done it, but aside from seeing the bush for hours on end, it doesn't offer much.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

I think he's referring to the Northern Ontario highways, which, despite many improvements, are not and will probably never be the equal of US interstates. I won't say anything about the BC mountain routes, as they're making large strides, and there's only about 350 km left to do.

I was also making a comment towards Andrewjm3D who I am pretty sure was talking about US Interstates from Minnesota to Montana

[haljackey]

Highway 401 near Tilbury, Ontario:


(Photo by me)


(Photo by the MTO)

It's really stress-free driving on this stretch as you have three lanes and little traffic. Not sure why they decided to go with concrete (the rest of the 401 is asphalt) but I'm sure they'll pave it over when it starts to weather.

It's a huge contrast to what it used to be prior to the 'carnage alley' pileup in 1999:



(Photos by Windsor Fire)

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by vid

The northern route is more boring. It should be done once just to say you've done it, but aside from seeing the bush for hours on end, it doesn't offer much.

It offers a faster and more stress free drive though.

[vid]

Faster and more stress free? Sure, if it is summer time, mid-day and sunny. Driving that road on a winters night is terrifying, even for locals who do it on a regular basis. At least half a dozen people have died on our highways in the past two weeks.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by vid

Faster and more stress free? Sure, if it is summer time, mid-day and sunny.

How do you mean? It's much straighter and much flatter.

[J-MAN]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

It offers a faster and more stress free drive though.

I don't know about that I hear there's a heck of a lot of semi accidents on those Northern Ontario highways.

[Symz]

I remember that pile up, I ad a friend that was involved in that accident.

The recent pile up on the 402 kind of made me remember the carnage alley pile up.

If I remember right, it was due to a dense morning fog.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by J-MAN

I don't know about that I hear there's a heck of a lot of semi accidents on those Northern Ontario highways.

The 17 route is more of an issue in that regard.

[vid]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

How do you mean? It's much straighter and much flatter.

Yeah, but who wants to take an 1,100 trip up to Timmins on their way to Winnipeg? That is like a New Yorker saying "Let's top in Mexico City on our way to LA!"

And two portions of highway 11 were closed simultaneously the other day because of collisions. "Stress free" indeed!

[Andrewjm3D]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Of course. Because we all know that the prairies end at the 49th parallel. You have to drive through all of those mountains and forests between Minneapolis and Billings.

Have you done the drives? There is so much more to look at south of the border through the midsection of the U.S along hwy 80,90, or even 94. The only truly flat and dull section of 94 would be through North Dakota. Everybody should do the Trans Canada at least once in their lifetime but for those that have done the drive several times dropping south through Detroit and going across the U.S gives you so many more options. Things to do, places to stay, eat, shop etc. The I-90 is worth it just to see The Devils Tower. Pictures don't do it any justice.

back at you.

[Andrewjm3D]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

I was also making a comment towards Andrewjm3D who I am pretty sure was talking about US Interstates from Minnesota to Montana

There are three routes to use from western Canada to eastern Canada through the U.S. The Minnesota route is the least fun of the 3.

[Andrewjm3D]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Well no but the highways are much better so might as well head south.

[mbeaumont]

I really don't understand the fuss about going through the US. I drive back home to the Edmonton area every year, I've tried going by the US a few times but every time I always get stuck in some kind of traffic in Chicago or Minneapolis which makes me lose any time I would have gained going through that way anyway. At least going by Canada I don't have to worry about sitting in bumper to bumper traffic in Thunder Bay or Kenora. I much prefer going by my own country and supporting my own economy, and at the same time seeing new developments happening across the country at the same time. Yes, I agree some parts aren't too exciting, like Highway 17 around Ignace and Upsala, but other areas more than make up for it.