Ontario Highways

[sonysnob]

Well, whatever, it's just a fun forum, but yeah, there isn't really any practical value in sharing road condition information unless you want to share with other bored people reading the internet

[Dengler Avenue]

One thing that I’ve wanted to ask:
Highway 404 crosses Rouge River between 16th Avenue and Major McKenzie Drive. The highway has no shoulder there. Does that cause unnecessary jam during rush hour? Whenever I look at the map during rush hours, north of the 407, that’s the only *usual* bad spot. (Backup all the way to Aurora doesn’t happen too often.)

[sonysnob]

The Rouge River bridge has kind of unique pier design (by Ontario standards at least) which makes it difficult to widen. When the 404 was six laned back in the early 2000s (2002?), a decision was made just to convert the shoulder to an extra lane rather than trying to widen the existing Rouge River bridge.

A reduction in shoulder width can involve a reduction in throughput of the adjacent lane, but I'm guessing the greatest cause of congestion is due to the northbound lane drop at 16th Avenue, and then the subsequent on-ramp from 16th. Traffic thins out at every interchange northerly, so it's not shocking that traffic starts to pick up more and more at each successive northbound interchange.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

(1) Huh okay. I thought you drive a truck so those information will be important for people like you;

I drive a Chevy Cruze and have a 5km commute to work. Pretty much the opposite of a 18-wheeler lol

Originally Posted by sonysnob

I can pretty much guarantee that commercial truck drivers aren't using this forum for travel information.

True'dat.

[wave46]

So, the MTO closed this bridge in North Bay recently.

It's on Highway 17B and it's a Howe Truss wooden framed bridge from 1937. I think it is the last one in Ontario.

Highway 17B Bridge

I suspect they'll remove the overpass that used to cross the former CN line on Highway 17B as well in the near future.

[sonysnob]

That’s quite a neat bridge. There used to be a wooden through truss bridge on Hwy 71 at Sioux Narrows.

[Ottawaresident]

Too bad they can't keep it ...

[Dengler Avenue]

https://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/91...-changes-for-highway-35-115-interchange/

MTO intends to widen the first few km of Highway 35 north of the interchange where the speed limit changes between 90 km/h and 100 km/h.

[Ottawaresident]

Well hopfully that thing eventually becomes a 400 series freeway.

[sonysnob]

The public information session has been rescheduled to March 5.

The project website is here:
www.hwy35and115.ca

[Dengler Avenue]

Future 35/Boundary Road interchange? Woah MTO’s “serious” about sending a 400-series freeway to Lindsay eh?

[sonysnob]

Some planning work was done back during the Harris/Eves government's tenure about expanding Highway 35 to a RIRO. So whatever is planned for Highway 35 will be more akin to the design standards of the 35/115, and won't be suitable for a 400 series highway.

The most notable element would be that Highway 7A will be realigned to meet Highway 35 at a proper singular interchange about halfway up the hill between the two existing Highway 7A intersections.

[Dengler Avenue]

It's quite neat that Lindsay will be connected to GTA East with a 4-lane arterial road.

Perhaps it's time to see roadway projects that were killed by McGuinty's liberal government revived in Durham Region* and nearby area.

* I'm having Highway 12 between Highway 7 and Old Highway 48 in mind here.

[sonysnob]

We'll have to see what ends up becoming of the Highway 35/115 interchange. This interchange had been previously left out of the planning to four lane Highway 35 when the planning work was done last decade. the 35/115 interchange was omitted because at the time the final plans for the 407 had net yet been completed.

So, while I am encouraged to see that the province is looking to improve the interchange, like any other project, the fact that they have initiated a study doesn't by any means mean that shovels will be shortly in the ground.

[Dengler Avenue]

In hindsight, it’s a good thing that 407East isn’t directly tied to the divided portion of 115. Otherwise, many are gonna get lost, go the wrong way, and pay unnecessary toll charges.

Obviously, the main reason is to shortern the distance between 407East and 401 (hence the curve down after Harmony Road), but what I just mentioned is a side benefit, I suppose.

[Ottawaresident]

Tie the 407 to 115 no toll and the 35/48

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by Ottawaresident

Tie the 407 to 115 no toll and the 35/48

407 will need to be tolled. It’s the province’s cash cow, especially because 407ETR was “erroneously” privatized.

35/48? I’d rather do 35/7. Remember, MTO’s also widening Highway 7 Lindsay Bypass from 2 to 4 lanes (or maybe from 3 to 5??).

@sonysnob Is there any merit in extending Highway 404 to Lindsay (essentially replacing Highway 7 between Highway 12 and Highway 35)?

[wave46]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

407 will need to be tolled. It’s the province’s cash cow, especially because 407ETR was “erroneously” privatized.

The correct term you are searching for is "stupidly".

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by wave46

The correct term you are searching for is "stupidly".

Thank you thank you. Words slip out of my mind from time to time when I'm typing.

[Ottawaresident]

Sorry, I meant 35/12. My mistake.