Quebec Autoroute Guy-Lafleur [Highway A50]

[Dengler Avenue]

And the thing is, if MTQ’s serious about building 50 between Mirabel and Joliette (by twinning parts of 158), that’ll make it possible to completely bypass Montreal.

[rocketphish]

Highway 50 to be renamed after hockey legend Guy Lafleur
Montreal Canadiens star died of lung cancer last April

CBC News
Posted: Apr 30, 2023 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 10 hours ago

Quebec's Highway 50 is being renamed in honour of legendary hockey player Guy Lafleur, who passed away just over a year ago.

Radio-Canada confirmed the news Friday with Lafleur's family and other sources.

Known as le demon blond, Lafleur captured five Stanley Cup titles over the course of his career. He died of lung cancer last April at the age of 70.

His mother, Pierrette, said she was one of the first people to be informed by the office of Quebec Premier François Legault that the highway — which runs past Lafleur's birthplace of Thurso, Que. — would be renamed.

"I was surprised. I had heard about it, but I thought maybe it wouldn't happen or would happen later after I die. But now, I think I'm going to see it [inaugurated]," she said in a French-language interview with Radio-Canada.

The news will be officially unveiled this upcoming Thursday, May 4, in Thurso.

Legault and Papineau MNA Mathieu Lacombe, the province's Minister of Culture and Communications, will be there for "an important announcement relating to the idol of the people" says the city's Facebook page.

According to Quebec's toponymy policy, one year must pass after a person's death before their name can be used for commemorative purposes.

Pierrette Lafleur said she was moved to see that her son is still so beloved in the community.

"It makes me feel as if Guy was still alive," she said.

With files from Radio-Canada's Alexandra Angers

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/highway-name-quebec-guy-lafleur-1.6826990

[harls]

Originally Posted by thewave46

While the connections between the bridges and 417 might be a pain, the longer haul issues of being on a 2-lane highway for large stretches seems worth the trade. As soon as one gets hung up behind someone driving slowly, that's it.

But as harls points out, where your destination is likely a bigger influence.

South Shore? 417 - 40 - 30.
Downtown Montreal? 417 - 40 - pick your misery.
Laval? 50 - 15.
Points beyond? It depends.

Yes, If I am heading to the South shore, I'll usually take the 417/40/30.

In Aylmer the fastest way to get to the 417 is Champlain Bridge (currently missing a lane), then turn left to Parkdale, sit through the Parkdale Market / Westboro traffic, then make a left turn under the overpass to get onto the 417.

There used to be an on ramp to the 417 after going straight up Island Park to Merivale, then right on Carling, but that is gone. Used to do that over a decade ago when traffic wasn't as crazy as it is now.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by harls

Yes, If I am heading to the South shore, I'll usually take the 417/40/30.

In Aylmer the fastest way to get to the 417 is Champlain Bridge (currently missing a lane), then turn left to Parkdale, sit through the Parkdale Market / Westboro traffic, then make a left turn under the overpass to get onto the 417.

There used to be an on ramp to the 417 after going straight up Island Park to Merivale, then right on Carling, but that is gone. Used to do that over a decade ago when traffic wasn't as crazy as it is now.

But Aylmer doesn't have a good option to get past the 5/50 split either. Anytime with traffic you're looking at an hour plus no? A western bridge would be a total game changer for Aylmer.

[harls]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

But Aylmer doesn't have a good option to get past the 5/50 split either. Anytime with traffic you're looking at an hour plus no? A western bridge would be a total game changer for Aylmer.

Nope, just have to not leave at evening rush hour.

There was once a bypass planned from where the 50 veers south, straight west and through the park all the way to Aylmer (west of Vanier), the ROW is still there. Don't think it will ever happen now.

[harls]

I worked at LaVerendrye/Greber (some forumer lives around there) and from the plateau I would take Notch Rd into Chelsea and the Alonzo Bridge, instead of submitting myself to the torture of thousands of cars at that shitty split.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by harls

Yes, If I am heading to the South shore, I'll usually take the 417/40/30.

In Aylmer the fastest way to get to the 417 is Champlain Bridge (currently missing a lane), then turn left to Parkdale, sit through the Parkdale Market / Westboro traffic, then make a left turn under the overpass to get onto the 417.

There used to be an on ramp to the 417 after going straight up Island Park to Merivale, then right on Carling, but that is gone. Used to do that over a decade ago when traffic wasn't as crazy as it is now.

It really sucks trying to get to the 417 east from the Champlain Bridge. There are no good routes.

Coming to Aylmer from Montréal on the 417 is better as there is a direct route from the Island Park exit.

But Island Park is still quite busy at all hours except for late at night and early on week-ends.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by harls

I worked at LaVerendrye/Greber (some forumer lives around there) and from the plateau I would take Notch Rd into Chelsea and the Alonzo Bridge, instead of submitting myself to the torture of thousands of cars at that shitty split.

You don't need to answer but trying to think of employment at Gréber and La Vérendrye. Police HQ? Fire hall? Métro supermarket? Halfway house?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

But Aylmer doesn't have a good option to get past the 5/50 split either. Anytime with traffic you're looking at an hour plus no? A western bridge would be a total game changer for Aylmer.

Harls is right that there is only a couple of hours in the late afternoon on weekdays when it's bad.

And Allumettières is not a freeway but it is still a decent route to get across Aylmer and Hull to the A50.

Still better than navigating city streets in Ottawa.

If going to the south shore or Sherbrooke I sometimes take the A50, cross the bridge to Hawkesbury and then shoot through that town (no traffic) and take the 417 and the A40.

[wingman]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Harls is right that there is only a couple of hours in the late afternoon on weekdays when it's bad.

And Allumettières is not a freeway but it is still a decent route to get across Aylmer and Hull to the A50.

Still better than navigating city streets in Ottawa.

If going to the south shore or Sherbrooke I sometimes take the A50, cross the bridge to Hawkesbury and then shoot through that town (no traffic) and take the 417 and the A40.

Agreed. We generally have two routes to the East just to keep things fresh.

Hit the 50 at Labrosse, then either
(1) cross at Hawkesbury and take the 40-30 to the 20.
(2) 50-15-640 to the 40 and cross at the Pont P. Laporte.

I have crossed in Trois-Rivieres via the 55, but it is not on my top list of things to do.

I have also of course done the Champlain Bridge (MTL edition) and the Lafontaine Tunnel, but haven't touched those in years.

When the 30 first opened it was clear sailing, I find it to be quite busy now, and the 30-10 and 30-20 intersections can be quite busy at times (like full stop and go).

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Harls is right that there is only a couple of hours in the late afternoon on weekdays when it's bad.

And Allumettières is not a freeway but it is still a decent route to get across Aylmer and Hull to the A50.

Still better than navigating city streets in Ottawa.

If going to the south shore or Sherbrooke I sometimes take the A50, cross the bridge to Hawkesbury and then shoot through that town (no traffic) and take the 417 and the A40.

I guess it depends on what you define as bad. Ottawa streets to 417 aren't bad except the one big difference in congestion on many weekend afternoons.

As I said I do it a lot and 417 wins every time. I average 130 on the quiet stretch of the 417 though and start west of 50/5 junction.

Have never tried the Hawkesbury route. Was tempted a few times sitting behind trucks on the 50 but Waze never suggests that. Maybe you guys are talking about the most pleasant route rather than fastest?

[Dengler Avenue]

A50’s definitely scenic.
And I’d much rather that it get extended to Joliette to meet A31 to bypass that traffic nonsense called Montreal.
MTQ seems serious about twinning Rte 158 coming out of Joliette (westward) at least.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Acajack

All of the connections in Ottawa between the river bridges and the 417 are a huge p.i.t.a.

Except at night as you say, or very early morning on a weekend.

Karma. Just took me almost 60 minutes to go from Gatineau Costco to the 417. Didn't seem like an accident just everyone and their dog, literally, heading out in the sunshine.

[LRTeverywhere]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Karma. Just took me almost 60 minutes to go from Gatineau Costco to the 417. Didn't seem like an accident just everyone and their dog, literally, heading out in the sunshine.

CN ride for Cheo was today, likely was because of periodic parkway and bridge closures for that.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by wingman

Agreed. We generally have two routes to the East just to keep things fresh.

Hit the 50 at Labrosse, then either
(1) cross at Hawkesbury and take the 40-30 to the 20.
(2) 50-15-640 to the 40 and cross at the Pont P. Laporte.

I have crossed in Trois-Rivieres via the 55, but it is not on my top list of things to do.

I have also of course done the Champlain Bridge (MTL edition) and the Lafontaine Tunnel, but haven't touched those in years.

When the 30 first opened it was clear sailing, I find it to be quite busy now, and the 30-10 and 30-20 intersections can be quite busy at times (like full stop and go).

I have done that too. I think it will be a better option in a few years when the A-55 is twinned all the way between the A-20 and the bridge over the St Lawrence. (And traffic inevitably gets worse on the Pierre-Laporte in Quebec City.)

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Have never tried the Hawkesbury route. Was tempted a few times sitting behind trucks on the 50 but Waze never suggests that. Maybe you guys are talking about the most pleasant route rather than fastest?

My two GPS systems suggest it all the time as an alternate route (genre +5 min) to go from my house in Gatineau to Montreal itself.

I actually never go through Hawkesbury to go to Montreal.

But I generally go through Hawkesbury if I am going to the south shore of Montreal or the Eastern Townships or New England, and I don't want to go through Ottawa at that specific time due to anticipated traffic on surface streets.

Hawkesbury is not really a more "pleasant" route.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by wingman

(2) 50-15-640 to the 40 and cross at the Pont P. Laporte.
.

This is my route when I go to Quebec City, the Gaspésie or the Maritimes.

[harls]

The 15/640 and 640/40 interchanges are the worst bottlenecks of that route (especially the latter).

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

I guess it depends on what you define as bad. Ottawa streets to 417 aren't bad except the one big difference in congestion on many weekend afternoons.

As I said I do it a lot and 417 wins every time. I average 130 on the quiet stretch of the 417 though and start west of 50/5 junction.

GPS from my house to my kid's place in Montreal typically gives me 5-10 minutes more by going through Ottawa and the 417 compared to the 50.

Not a big difference but psychologically I prefer sitting behind slowpokes waiting for passing lanes on the 50 than standing still at multiple traffic lights.

Though I understand why some people prefer the 417 because it feels safer.

As for the routes in Ottawa, I come off the Macdonald-Cartier and the intersection at St. Patrick and Murray is almost always slow and congested at all daylight times except early on weekend mornings.

Turning left onto St. Patrick is even worse than going straight through.

Vanier Parkway is generally slow along the entire route due to multiple stoplights.

King Edward up through the university can be really slow as well depending on if you're lucky or not. Again, multiple stoplights. How many from the M-C Bridge to the 417 on-ramp at Lees? At least a dozen, I'd say.

One route I sometimes take to the 417 (I have relatives east of Ottawa, so I take it even if not going to Montreal) is the zigzag around the Novotel and the Rideau Centre. It's actually not too bad if you pretend you didn't see this "trucks only" sign here...

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4262956,...8Qz4UNkPBq9wJy5mQfYmQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

... which gives you a more direct routing up to Nicholas and avoids several turns at slow traffic lights.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Acajack

GPS from my house to my kid's place in Montreal typically gives me 5-10 minutes more by going through Ottawa and the 417 compared to the 50.

Not a big difference but psychologically I prefer sitting behind slowpokes waiting for passing lanes on the 50 than standing still at multiple traffic lights.

Though I understand why some people prefer the 417 because it feels safer.

As for the routes in Ottawa, I come off the Macdonald-Cartier and the intersection at St. Patrick and Murray is almost always slow and congested at all daylight times except early on weekend mornings.

Turning left onto St. Patrick is even worse than going straight through.

Vanier Parkway is generally slow along the entire route due to multiple stoplights.

King Edward up through the university can be really slow as well depending on if you're lucky or not. Again, multiple stoplights. How many from the M-C Bridge to the 417 on-ramp at Lees? At least a dozen, I'd say.

One route I sometimes take to the 417 (I have relatives east of Ottawa, so I take it even if not going to Montreal) is the zigzag around the Novotel and the Rideau Centre. It's actually not too bad if you pretend you didn't see this "trucks only" sign here...

https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4262956,...8Qz4UNkPBq9wJy5mQfYmQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

... which gives you a more direct routing up to Nicholas and avoids several turns at slow traffic lights.

I always take Nicholas. My GPS also suggests the truck route but I usually take the right at Daly as you get a red light anyway. The only time it's more than a few minutes delayed is when Rideau Centre is busy or peak rush hour.

I guess it comes down to psychology. 5-10 minutes to get to the 417 and then clear sailing is preferable to me than trying to constantly pass. On the 417 it's pretty rare you get stuck at all. Just the odd truck passing another at 107.

But as I mentioned got stuck this weekend and while it was a special event that kind of thing happens a lot in Ottawa. There is never a bike race on the 50. The 50 south to the 40 in Montreal is usually clear sailing as well anytime we'd be leaving from Ottawa. The end of nice weekends it can be very bad though.

A fully twinned 50 would be a great option even from most of Ottawa to points east.