Highway 417 Widening

[todspe67]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Some sort of reconfiguration of the Transitway ramps. Heard about it a ways back.

That'll be nice - it's a pain to have to merge into traffic only to merge back out again. Excellent!

[1overcosc]

Work appears to have now started on the Kent Street bridge replacement. I'm not sure how this one is going to be done. Another rapid replacement? If so, where's the staging area?

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Work appears to have now started on the Kent Street bridge replacement. I'm not sure how this one is going to be done. Another rapid replacement? If so, where's the staging area?

(based on info from friend in immediate area who had visit from local Councillor explaining the procedure)

Yes... rapid replacement.

Staging area is being built on the South side of the 417, immediately east of Kent (you can see it in front of you when exiting Kent EB). I am extremely curious to see it all fit there... time will tell.

[1overcosc]

That makes sense based on what I saw. The entire south side embankment between Chamberlain and the highway had its grass torn out and they were digging through it.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

(based on info from friend in immediate area who had visit from local Councillor explaining the procedure)

Yes... rapid replacement.

Staging area is being built on the South side of the 417, immediately east of Kent (you can see it in front of you when exiting Kent EB). I am extremely curious to see it all fit there... time will tell.

It seems that they need to do a lot of levelling to make that into a staging area. I wonder whether they will use it again for the Bank St. bridge once they are done with Kent.

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by phil235

It seems that they need to do a lot of levelling to make that into a staging area. I wonder whether they will use it again for the Bank St. bridge once they are done with Kent.

Good point... the info my friend received was that "everything would be put back the way it was and re-landscaped".... whether thats before or after the Bank St bridge remains to be seen...

[Richard Eade]

I thought that it would have been easier to simply level the old School Board building and use that flat space. I guess that couldn't happen fast enough to have the replacement structure ready for the scheduled swap.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by HighwayStar

Good point... the info my friend received was that "everything would be put back the way it was and re-landscaped".... whether thats before or after the Bank St bridge remains to be seen...

I got the same leaflet. It was non-specific on timing. My guess is that we'll see that staging area used for several years.

My understanding was also that the school board building would be demolished and that site would be used as the staging area. I think the change was a question of timing. The demolition of that building has been delayed numerous times. I suspect that they will still use that site for the Bronson replacement, but that means the Chamberlain re-alignment would be delayed until after the bridge replacement.

[Mulder]

Originally Posted by phil235

I got the same leaflet. It was non-specific on timing. My guess is that we'll see that staging area used for several years.

My understanding was also that the school board building would be demolished and that site would be used as the staging area. I think the change was a question of timing. The demolition of that building has been delayed numerous times. I suspect that they will still use that site for the Bronson replacement, but that means the Chamberlain re-alignment would be delayed until after the bridge replacement.

The Bronson Ave bridge doesn't look like it's a candidate for rapid replacement.

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by phil235

I got the same leaflet. It was non-specific on timing. My guess is that we'll see that staging area used for several years.

My understanding was also that the school board building would be demolished and that site would be used as the staging area. I think the change was a question of timing. The demolition of that building has been delayed numerous times. I suspect that they will still use that site for the Bronson replacement, but that means the Chamberlain re-alignment would be delayed until after the bridge replacement.

Demolition setup began this morning. I was walking by and saw the lawn by the entrance dug up. I spoke to the foreman and he said that this is the start of the building demolition.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Mulder

The Bronson Ave bridge doesn't look like it's a candidate for rapid replacement.

Why do you say that? My understanding is that is the plan. The City has used the constraints of that process to make it clear that there is no room for wider sidewalks or cycling facilities under that bridge.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by KevinH

Demolition setup began this morning. I was walking by and saw the lawn by the entrance dug up. I spoke to the foreman and he said that this is the start of the building demolition.

Interesting. I wonder what that means for the timing of the other projects.

[1overcosc]

The Bronson ramp realignment onto Chamberlain is not intended to be built until 2017 IIRC, so MTO is being early. I know MTO is planning on using both that property as well as a stretch of vacant land near the O-Train line for rapid replacement staging in the central area.

[Mulder]

Originally Posted by phil235

Why do you say that? My understanding is that is the plan. The City has used the constraints of that process to make it clear that there is no room for wider sidewalks or cycling facilities under that bridge.

The abutments look to be directly connected to each structure piece. 7 in total. So your not just lifting the span of the bridge, but the abutments as well. And doing the replacement in a similar manner.

I'm not sure what's behind that abutment/wingwalls, but as soon as you lift out the old bridge you'll find out awfully quick.

If they can do it great, but as I said it doesn't look to be a candidate for rapid replacement. It's likely going to be a long-long summer when they have to do that thing in 3-4 stages.

[rocketphish]

The first full-colour graphics I've seen on the VMS, yesterday and today (it was more colourful in person).

[MoreTrains]

Nice

[MaxHeadroom]

Except that I have never seen any message on the sign relating to traffic flow like they do in the GTA. There was a message about weekend lane closures - once, but that's about it. So I continue to rely on Google Maps for my commuting traffic info.

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by MaxHeadroom

Except that I have never seen any message on the sign relating to traffic flow like they do in the GTA. There was a message about weekend lane closures - once, but that's about it. So I continue to rely on Google Maps for my commuting traffic info.

That's because in the GTA the ATMS system include real time feeds from the traffic loops to the Operations Centre. That system has the ability to relay live traffic information to the VMS signs.

We don't have that level of automation in Ottawa... yet. Many traffic loops were installed on Highway 417 (Hwy 7 to Hwy 416) and in the east from Nicholas to 417/OR174 split - there is potential to provide live feeds in the near future, but for now we rely on the operator looking at traffic cameras to change the sign messages.

Many more signs are planned for Ottawa so its just a matter of time.

[BenTheGreat97]

Originally Posted by hwy418

Many more signs are planned for Ottawa so its just a matter of time.

Do you know where exactly? Because I know there's supposed to be one on the 417 eastbound at Moodie, but I see no preparations for it anywhere, and haven't heard of any more going up.

[Philott]

Supports are up for two new signs. WB near Vanier and EB near Vanier.