Highway 417 Widening

[Skyway]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Back then, people actually drove the speed limit? Security and safety were less of an issue? Engineering has come a long way since then? Traffic deaths have been reduced due to engineering. Thanks, Engineering!

And common sense. Back when it first opened there was absolutely no centre barrier. Lots of head-on's in the 60's.
Even in the 1980 picture they still only have the steel cable fence in the centre.
Hard to believe now a days.

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Back then, people actually drove the speed limit? Security and safety were less of an issue? Engineering has come a long way since then? Traffic deaths have been reduced due to engineering. Thanks, Engineering!

It seems that Ontario's the only province where the speed limit isn't reduced for a freeway through a built-up area. If it's the states, it will have been brought down from 100 or 110 kph to 90 kph. As for Ontario? 100 kph all the way, and people take that as an invitation to go 120 kph.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

It seems that Ontario's the only province where the speed limit isn't reduced for a freeway through a built-up area. If it's the states, it will have been brought down from 100 or 110 kph to 90 kph. As for Ontario? 100 kph all the way, and people take that as an invitation to go 120 kph.

The real speed limit is based on how the highway is engineered, weather conditions and traffic congestion, not based on the posted speed limit. That also applies to urban thoroughfares. Build a 4 lane divided boulevard and see how many drive at a posted 40 km/h speed limit.

[Ottawaresident]

Other than crasy people ... Nobody!

[Gat-Train]

The 417 eastbound was closed from Maitland today. There was only one sign I saw warning drivers of this. Why aren't there more MTO info signs on the Queensway like the one near Parkdale?? It's like the city is actively trying to — over commuters.

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by Gat-Train

The 417 eastbound was closed from Maitland today. There was only one sign I saw warning drivers of this. Why aren't there more MTO info signs on the Queensway like the one near Parkdale?? It's like the city is actively trying to — over commuters.

It's unfortunate we do not have more of these.

I know we live in the days of twitter and endless information overload on the internet, but when we set out on a regular journey, we don't often check traffic conditions.

It seems like they have places those temopoary/movable/small VMS signs along the 417 at various points. But they are always on the far right hand side, and unless you are in the farthest two right lanes, they are extremely difficult to see.

I had read before (can't find the source now), that there are plans for more overhead VMS signs at:
Eastbound
- 417 after Moodie
- 417 after Pinecrest
- 417 before Carling

Westbound
- 417 after Carling
- 417 between Woodroffe and Pinecrest

I will try to hunt down the source but this was 1-2 years ago if I remember correctly seeing this. And plans could have changed since then.

We will probably see more after the widening from Maitland to Island Park in 2021/22

[Gat-Train]

Are there any plans to extend the HOV lanes? They're kind of useless as of right now. I think it would be especially wise to extend and actually separate them with a concrete barrier between Moodie and Maitland. The lanes would end at Carling. That way, the express buses could use them to get to Tunney's Pasture once the transitway is shut down.

[Gat-Train]

Originally Posted by MountainView

It's unfortunate we do not have more of these.

I know we live in the days of twitter and endless information overload on the internet, but when we set out on a regular journey, we don't often check traffic conditions.

It seems like they have places those temopoary/movable/small VMS signs along the 417 at various points. But they are always on the far right hand side, and unless you are in the farthest two right lanes, they are extremely difficult to see.

I had read before (can't find the source now), that there are plans for more overhead VMS signs at:
Eastbound
- 417 after Moodie
- 417 after Pinecrest
- 417 before Carling

Westbound
- 417 after Carling
- 417 between Woodroffe and Pinecrest

I will try to hunt down the source but this was 1-2 years ago if I remember correctly seeing this. And plans could have changed since then.

We will probably see more after the widening from Maitland to Island Park in 2021/22

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

That also applies to urban thoroughfares. Build a 4 lane divided boulevard and see how many drive at a posted 40 km/h speed limit.

King Edward before the river blows my mind, every single day while I'm driving to work (waiting for the C-line to start operation).

[rocketphish]

Resumption of the 417 expansion to cause closures through spring/summer 2019

Vito Pilieci, Ottawa Citizen
Updated: April 10, 2019

As crews prepare to resume work on the widening of Highway 417, Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper is warning constituents of multiple road closures that will be required so workers can complete the project.

According to Leiper, starting on Apr. 22 the Carling Avenue westbound off ramp from Highway 417 will be closed for four weeks.

Beginning May 16, the Maitland Avenue westbound off-ramp and the eastbound on-ramp to Hwy 417, will both be closed for two weeks.

Carling Avenue eastbound on-ramp to Hwy 417, will be closed for a period of seven weeks starting Aug. 15.

Highway 417 will be shut down for 17 hours near the Merivale Road overpass on the weekend of Aug. 10.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...e-closures-throughout-spring-summer-2019

[Gat-Train]

If we're doing work on the highway, we should really remove the interchange at Parkdale. That street just isn't wide enough to work as a collector road for an eight-lane freeway.

[danishh]

Originally Posted by Gat-Train

If we're doing work on the highway, we should really remove the interchange at Parkdale. That street just isn't wide enough to work as a collector road for an eight-lane freeway.

i dont see that happening ever. It's a major access point for both Tunney's and the Civic. It's also the closest eastbound on-ramp to metcalfe.

At best, and i still dont think it's a good idea, they could close the westbound ramps and force those users to kirkwood/carling.

[Marshsparrow]

To me Holland was a more logical choice for access to Tunney's too bad the ramps weren't put there

[IntoTheCore]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

To me Holland was a more logical choice for access to Tunney's too bad the ramps weren't put there

From http://spacing.ca/ottawa/2010/03/11/taking-a-stand-for-a-better-parkdale/:

Residents old enough to remember the highway construction still talk about the strange 1960s-era decision that saw two-lane Parkdale chosen for the dreaded Queensway interchange rather than the adjacent four-lane Holland Avenue. Favourtism is alleged – one persistent urban legend mentions a city councilor’s mother having property on Holland; other versions have it is an MPP’s sister.

[c_speed3108]

My understanding talking to people old enough to remember when the highway was built, that at that time highways were new and cool thing and having ramps at your street was considered a huge feature.

Sorta like we consider being near an LRT station today.

This is why the highway had some many ramps (some of which have been closed over the years...especially downtown). Everyone wanted a ramp at the time!

[J.OT13]

They seem to be doing work around the Nicholas/417 interchange. They blocked off the bus lane on the Nicholas to 417 east on-ramp. Lots of piles of dirt. Anyone know what's going on? Could it be a re-configuration? Preparation for the Alta Vista Expressay? Widening? Or nothing at all.

[alamgirkhan]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

They seem to be doing work around the Nicholas/417 interchange. They blocked off the bus lane on the Nicholas to 417 east on-ramp. Lots of piles of dirt. Anyone know what's going on? Could it be a re-configuration? Preparation for the Alta Vista Expressay? Widening? Or nothing at all.

I believe it's part of the Nicholas Street Bridge replacement. http://queenswayexpansioneast.com/wp-con...icholas-Street-Underpass-Replacement.pdf

[J.OT13]

Thanks!

With the shift of the Nicholas Bridge, we could remove the Lees eastbound on ramp (which has been closed to motorists for years anyway) to add some more space for TOD.

[Kitchissippi]

So there is such a thing as "Cultural Vegetation" My new favourite term for grass.

[Dengler Avenue]

Secteur residential lol...
C’est “résidentiel”...

So much for bilingualism...