Highways in Canada - Page 351

MonctonRad · #**7001** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 1:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

The routing from Ontario and the West to the Maritimes was also always along the 40, then the 25 (tunnel under the river) then the 20 going east.

Now the 30 is the preferred route to the Maritimes (southern bypass). It's pretty painless.

Although when I drove back to the Maritimes this summer from my vacation in Ontario, I took the 40 along the north shore all the way to Quebec City. I've driven west on the 40 several times, but this was the first time I've driven east on the 40. Beyond Montreal, it's a pretty painless drive too, and there are some nice vistas on approach into Quebec City too........

Dengler Avenue · #**7002** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 1:39 PM**

Actually, nowadays, there are so many trucks on A20 that the drive is no longer enjoyable. If Québec’s gonna ditch the monorail idea, it should consider widening A20 from 4 to 6 lanes between Ontario and A30, then between A25 and Lévis.

As for A40, I think Québec should also get ready to build the bypass around Trois-Rivière as traffic through downtown is growing.

As for bypassing Montréal, in AM rush, one can also do 20-30-40-13-640-40 but must keep left around A640/A15 because right lanes are jammed. In PM rush, bypassing the city is impossible...

MonctonRad · #**7003** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 1:46 PM**

I agree that the A20 is no longer enjoyable. This is the main reason I decided to drive back via the A40 (that and just for the sake of variety).

Driving to Ontario this summer, I found the entire length of the A20, even from Riviere du Loup to QC tedious. I was really surprised at how heavy the traffic was.........

It may be time for six lanes (at least from Montreal to QC).

Dengler Avenue · #**7004** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 1:51 PM**

The main problem (or stupid thing as I would say) is speed limiter. Ontario and Quebec should just ditch it and allow trucks to pass at 120 km/h just like any other province. (Ps: I don’t think trucks even use speed limiter in Northwestern Ontario; I’ve seen speeds like 110, 120.) Getting stuck behind a passing truck doing 105 km/h is such painful experience that people start passing on the shoulder.

In return for allowing such high speed though, truckers should also be subject to much much much stricter training.

Interesting that you said the segment from A85 to A73 is bad too. I drove in late August back from Halifax to Toronto. Aside from occasional passing trucks, (oh boy some of them signalled and went without even letting me acknowledge my presence in their blindspots) it was alright.

MonctonRad · #**7005** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 2:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Interesting that you said the segment from A85 to A73 is bad too. I drove in late August back from Halifax to Toronto. Aside from occasional passing trucks, (oh boy some of them signalled and went without even letting me acknowledge my presence in their blindspots) it was alright.

This is the first time that I have ever experienced traffic this heavy between RDL and QC. Maybe it was just a bad day. It was a Sunday in the middle of July.

Acajack · #**7006** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 2:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This is the first time that I have ever experienced traffic this heavy between RDL and QC. Maybe it was just a bad day. It was a Sunday in the middle of July.

Could have been the start or the end of the vacances de la construction.

Acajack · #**7007** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 2:25 PM**

For the drive itself, the segment of A-20 between where the Quebec City south shore suburbs end (as does the "metropolitan" part of the province) and the Rivière-du-Loup area has always been my favourite part of my numerous trips to the Gaspésie and the Maritimes.

It's a stretch where I put the cruise control on, roll down the windows a bit, my wife puts her feet up, etc.. I really get the impression that I've entered a place with a different beat when I pass, say, Montmagny, going east. Then we have our favourite little restaurants and hotel in Rivière-du-Loup to look forward to.

Getting away from it all starts there.

MonctonRad · #**7008** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 2:38 PM**

Can't beat the scenery for sure (the Fleuve with the Laurentians on the Cote Nord in the distance).

Dengler Avenue · #**7009** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 2:55 PM**

Then there’s also the scenery of Lac Témiscouata along A85 slightly northwest of Dégelis. That 6% slope there really allows you to see everything.

The provincial border was a bit of a joke this time, though. On my way to Halifax and back, both times I saw cops stationing at the U-turn spots around the border.

It was an Edmundston Police cruiser when I went to Halifax, then an undercover RCMP on my way back.

Ps: I’m always surprised that a city as small as Edmundston has its own police, but that one as big as Moncton (aka Codiac?) only has RCMP.

Overall, Acajack does have a good point: once east of Lévis, there’s just a different feel. (It feels more maritime than Québec.) Lol could it also be that you know A40 is no more on the north shore?

Acajack · #**7010** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 4:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Then there’s also the scenery of Lac Témiscouata along A85 slightly northwest of Dégelis. That 6% slope there really allows you to see everything.

That stretch used to be a fairly stressful part of the drive before it was twinned. It's nice to be able to enjoy the scenery there now.

Acajack · #**7011** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 4:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Overall, Acajack does have a good point: once east of Lévis, there’s just a different feel. (It feels more maritime than Québec.) Lol could it also be that you know A40 is no more on the north shore?

I think I really feel it as Île d'Orléans fades into the distance on my left.

Also, there is no bridge over the St. Lawrence after that point.

sonysnob · #**7012** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 4:15 PM**

I agree with comments that east of Lévis, Quebec feels much more maritime from that point easterly. I have taken a few drives out that way over the past couple of years, and the area is particularly scenic. Some of the back country roads in that part of Quebec are fantastic as well.

I'll also agree with the sentiments of not liking A-20 between Montreal and Quebec City. It's often a necessary evil, but it's really not a very pleasurable drive. East of Quebec City though, I find I quite like it, generally it's a pretty easy road to put the cruise control on, and the window down and just enjoy watching the countryside pass by.

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/PQ/R/289/R289_cl_92_north_May15_24x16.jpg

Acajack · #**7013** Posted **Sep 18, 2018, 4:24 PM**

Though A-20 east of Quebec City can sometimes be totally insane with blowing snow in the winter. On a few occasions in my life I've been stranded at Montmagny or La Pocatière or had to double back to stay in Lévis because the highway was closed due to zero visibility.

Dengler Avenue · #**7014** Posted **Sep 19, 2018, 12:35 AM**

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018...dge-collapses-in-rural-saskatchewan.html

Meanwhile in SK...

Tone · #**7015** Posted **Sep 22, 2018, 12:06 AM**

Little throwback from 5 years ago!

A85 Cabano-Notre-Dame-du-Lac section in late august 2013

The two 365C were business!

Dengler Avenue · #**7016** Posted **Sep 26, 2018, 3:38 AM**

I don’t know where to put this, but this is absolutely dumb: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/canada/ho...wcm/2296dca8-9225-41b0-9156-68a027ad8832

ssiguy · #**7017** Posted **Sep 26, 2018, 6:09 PM**

Even if Border Security can't stop a car, I'll assume they called the RCMP so how the hell can't the police stop a car during a 30km trip?

Taeolas · #**7018** Posted **Sep 26, 2018, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Even if Border Security can't stop a car, I'll assume they called the RCMP so how the hell can't the police stop a car during a 30km trip?

Sounds like the Mounties weren't ready to answer the call (as in they don't keep a Mountie on standby to chase runners), and once the car went out of sight, it could have gone most anywhere.

This really seems like a nobrainer; CBSA should be trained and expected to chase runners; that's the entire point of the Border agency basically.

It's like giving the RCMP the duty to enforce laws, but not giving them the right to chase people.

MonctonRad · #**7019** Posted **Sep 26, 2018, 6:39 PM**

I think what it boils down to is that the CBSA isn't considered a police force. It will take a change in their mandate to rectify the situation.

Marty_Mcfly · #**7020** Posted **Sep 26, 2018, 8:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghYHZ

In the US.....there are internal CBP Inspection Stations located inland and away from the Mexican Border where vehicles can be stopped and occupants questioned about their citizenship.

So is this the closest we have to that in Canada? This is at an inter-provincial border. Arriving at the Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal in Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland (sounds like: Port O Bask)...... as you enter this building you will be asked to open your trunk for inspection. They're not looking for illegal immigrants but it's Agriculture Canada looking for soil and plants where a pest might be hitching a ride to the mainland.

And if your vehicle is exceptionally dirty.....it will be washed and even the mats vacuumed (all complementary!) Then you are free to line-up and board the ferry.

Specifically they're worried about Potato Wart Disease, which is present in Newfoundland and Newfoundland only. Potato's are a no-no for leaving the province, and there is fear that soil/dirt could also spread the fungus. If a border agent wants to clean my car for me, I definitely won't say no

In return, you can't import honey bees from Canada onto the island to keep away Varroa mites.