Highways in Canada - Page 44

haljackey · #**861** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 1:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharn

Canadian cities in general have far fewer freeways (as a tradeoff, our downtowns are usually not too shitty).

Condition-wise, I would actually say Ontario wins out. Some of the Interstates are pretty pooly maintained, especially I-75 through Michigan.

In addition, our transit systems are generally better compared to US cities of similar populations.

I'd say that generally Canadian Highways (especially Ontario's 400-Series) are better maintained than our U.S. counterparts. This is due to the fact that we have less of them, and thus the ones we do have need to be in good shape.

Take for example Highway 401. It's pretty much the only connecting link in southern Ontario and thus it has to be well maintained (heck, there's always multiple construction projects taking place on the route at any given time).
-In the U.S., you'd probably see two or three routes running roughly parallel to one-another in a similar geographical location, thus use is spread out. This means that lower volumes don't warrant as good road maintenance and the road budget is stretched out having to maintain three roads instead of one.

Acajack · #**862** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 2:42 AM**

Do you guys really think that highways in any Canadian province (like Ontario) are better maintained than U.S. Interstates? This has never been my observation. Interstates get federal funding whereas our highways with only a few exceptions get no federal funding. I find that difference shows a lot.

go_leafs_go02 · #**863** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 5:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Do you guys really think that highways in any Canadian province (like Ontario) are better maintained than U.S. Interstates? This has never been my observation. Interstates get federal funding whereas our highways with only a few exceptions get no federal funding. I find that difference shows a lot.

Ontario downloaded almost all of their 2 lane highways in the late 1990s (in Southern Ontario especially) to regional municipalities and counties. All they have to worry about is the 400-series and a few distinct 2 lane roads. (Excluding Northern Onario) The province doesn't have nearly as much to worry about compared to the States, where the DOT maintains Interstates, State Highways, and US Routes. That's alot.

Ontario has arguably the best designed and maintained freeways in North America. They're fantastically built and maintained.

I've learned recently that BC designs their highways with a design speed that matches the speed limit. Ontario goes usually 20-30 km/h above the posted speed limit in terms of the design speed.

I think a good comparison to London, if it was in the USA, is Flint,Michigan, which has countless freeways running through and around it, and the populations could be compared in some ways, although the Cities, in terms of their makeup share NOTHING in common (even though less than 200 km apart)

eemy · #**864** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 7:47 AM**

It really depends on the state I think. I-75 through Michigan is terrible and gets only slightly better in Ohio. It definitely doesn't compare well to most 400-series highways in either jurisdiction. It's pretty immaculate in Kentucky though.

Dr Nevergold · #**865** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 8:13 AM**

In the US you still find wild variations state by state, even if there are more federal funds involved. In New York you find the I-86 southern tier expressway to be in horrible shape in several sections; however, the I-90 Thruway is well paved throughout the entire corridor (not to mention has a hefty toll to ride it).

In southern states, you find a lot of the same thing. In Mississippi and Arkansas, they have some *very* rough stretches of freeway; however, Tennessee and North Carolina normally maintain their roads much better.

One of the weirdest states methods of maintaining freeways has to be Wyoming. I have traversed that state in the heat of an August summer, the bitter cold of a February winter, and some inbetween. The winters there are far harsher than Ontario, yet they don't use salt at all and there is a statewide ban, and the central portion of the state has a very, very rough stretch of I-80 in the central basin that is so rough your shocks will certainly be given a test.

Highway quality varies vastly from state to state, and I'd say Ontario maintains the 400 series highways in above average fashion. I've been all over Ontario, and they are all well maintained.

leftimage · #**866** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 4:08 PM**

Time lapse drive down Autoroute 15 North, which connects Montreal to the Laurentians (st-sauveur, Tremblant, etc)

Starts in Montreal and ends just before the ski hill areas, in St-Jerome.

• Video Link

MolsonExport · #**867** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 4:56 PM**

^cool video. Much more development along that stretch of highway when compared to the 70s/80s (when I would be on this road every weekend to get to the umpteen ski resorts)

leftimage · #**868** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 5:10 PM**

tell me about it. It's like laval extension now

go_leafs_go02 · #**869** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 5:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon716

In the US you still find wild variations state by state, even if there are more federal funds involved. In New York you find the I-86 southern tier expressway to be in horrible shape in several sections; however, the I-90 Thruway is well paved throughout the entire corridor (not to mention has a hefty toll to ride it).

In southern states, you find a lot of the same thing. In Mississippi and Arkansas, they have some *very* rough stretches of freeway; however, Tennessee and North Carolina normally maintain their roads much better.

One of the weirdest states methods of maintaining freeways has to be Wyoming. I have traversed that state in the heat of an August summer, the bitter cold of a February winter, and some inbetween. The winters there are far harsher than Ontario, yet they don't use salt at all and there is a statewide ban, and the central portion of the state has a very, very rough stretch of I-80 in the central basin that is so rough your shocks will certainly be given a test.

Highway quality varies vastly from state to state, and I'd say Ontario maintains the 400 series highways in above average fashion. I've been all over Ontario, and they are all well maintained.

I actually just drove that section, and got caught in that central portion with 50 MPH winds, blowing snow, and visibility under 20 metres through that section.

Still, with that stimulus package in the USA, I think 50% of all interstates were repaved in the last few years. I just drove Ontario to BC (Via I-80) 2 weeks ago, and great condition for every segment basically (Michigan seemed to be the worse)

sonysnob · #**870** Posted **Mar 13, 2012, 5:13 PM**

Autoroute 10 has an awesome approach to Downtown Montreal. The fog in the video above masks how awesome it is:

Wharn · #**871** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 1:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Do you guys really think that highways in any Canadian province (like Ontario) are better maintained than U.S. Interstates? This has never been my observation. Interstates get federal funding whereas our highways with only a few exceptions get no federal funding. I find that difference shows a lot.

I have to disagree. The MTO has less road to worry about, and can thus divert more resources to a few principal routes. And it's not like the downloaded routes suffer either... I also find the counties generally do a good job of maintaining their roads. Heck, Ilderton Road and Highbury Avenue (both running through Middlesex County) both have higher speed limits and are in better condition than their provincial counterparts.

The only place where downloading has caused a degradation in the quality of roads is none other than the Imperial Capital itself, the only place in Ontario where at least half the roads remind you of Quebec.

vid · #**872** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 2:08 AM**

Downloading in Thunder Bay has resulted in a silly situation where part of a provincial highway (Highway 102) is under city control, and the city proceeded to build suburbs along it, but transports still use it regularly, so the people living in new suburbs along the road want trucks banned but because the part of the road that isn't going through those suburbs is a provincial highway, the city cannot ban trucks from it.

Almost all of former 11B/17B that came under city control in 1997 has been rebuilt. 61B is a side street. The northeastern part of 130 isn't in the best shape but it's no worse than 102 which runs parallel. The only real issue with downloading has been that we spend so much money on the roads that used to be provincially maintained that our roads budget has gone up a lot. (Other roads weren't neglected, we just spend more than we used to.)

Acajack · #**873** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 2:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharn

The only place where downloading has caused a degradation in the quality of roads is none other than the Imperial Capital itself, the only place in Ontario where at least half the roads remind you of Quebec.

Do you mean Ottawa or Toronto?

Dr Nevergold · #**874** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 6:27 AM**

Really nice video of the A15^^^^^^^^

Wharn · #**875** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 4:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Do you mean Ottawa or Toronto?

One city in Ontario is the Capital of Canada.

Another is the Eternal Imperial Capital, home of all that is righteous and good, defender of Civilization as we know it and the Centre of the Universe.

Guess which one I'm talking about.

leftimage · #**876** Posted **Mar 14, 2012, 4:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharn

One city in Ontario is the Capital of Canada.

Another is the Eternal Imperial Capital, home of all that is righteous and good, defender of Civilization as we know it and the Centre of the Universe.

Guess which one I'm talking about.

lol. The big smoke aka hogtown. I've also secretly envied Toronto for having nicknames.