Highways in Canada

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Haha ya due to the amount of truck traffic the 402 has, 6 lanes is actually warranted despite the lower volumes.

You're joking right?

[speedog]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Sometimes the overpass just isn't wide enough.

But they do have towing options for the headers, but in a poor harvest season like this year has been time is of the essence.

So exactly how do the farmers cross this highway where there aren't level intersections?

The few remaining level intersections should just be done away with - it's as simple as that.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Haha ya due to the amount of truck traffic the 402 has, 6 lanes is actually warranted despite the lower volumes. It sucks behind trucks in both lanes, happens often. (In Ontario, trucks cannot typically use the left lane on 6+ lane highways).

The 401 is planned to be 6 lanes all the way from Windsor to London eventually for a similar reason.

The 402 is perfect the way it is IMO - 4 lane freeway is ideal for it and should be for many years (AADT generally about 20,000). Only thing I would like to see on it is a rest area about 40 km west of London in each direction. It doesn't need to be as elaborate as the onRoute service centres on the 400 and 401, but it should have public washrooms, picnic facilities and parking options at least.

I have never found it a problem on there (mind you, I don't use it very often, but 402/I-69 is my preferred route to the US Midwest over the 401 to Windsor).

As for widening the 401, it is not really necessary beyond London (AADT about 27,000), but if major improvements are warranted (such as median work - critical on the old Windsor-Chatham section which was extremely dangerous), it is probably cheaper to go all in. The section from Cobourg to Kingston (AADT about 40,000 on average) needs 6 lanes a lot more IMO.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Haha ya due to the amount of truck traffic the 402 has, 6 lanes is actually warranted despite the lower volumes. It sucks behind trucks in both lanes, happens often. (In Ontario, trucks cannot typically use the left lane on 6+ lane highways).

Haha ya mostly. Definitely a 'nice to have'. There are certainly hundreds if not thousands of other projects that are more pressing at this time though.

[sonysnob]

One road that seems to have been consistently neglected by the provincial government of Ontario is the QEW between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls. While, not warranting six lanes by any means (though it would be nice if the QEW widened between Mountain Road and the 420), the highway still has its narrow 1950's style grass median with no cross-over protection at all. It's amazing that not even a steel beam has been constructed down one side of the highway. I don't think any work is planned to rectify this deficiency either. That massive accident that happened outside of Windsor back in 1999, could have just as easily have occurred on the QEW outside of Fort Erie.

[go_leafs_go02]

Want a highway in Canada that needs widening?

Highway 1 through Langley/Abbotsford. Plans to widen later between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

4 lanes. A few interchange improvement projects, but still 2 lanes per direction. Highway largely has't changed since it opened 50+ years ago.

Traffic volumes:

Between Langley & Abbotsford:
AADT - 70,538
AAWDT - 72,910

Between Abbotsford & Chilliwack:
AADT - 36,991
AAWDT - 37,177

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by speedog

So exactly how do the farmers cross this highway where there aren't level intersections?

The few remaining level intersections should just be done away with - it's as simple as that.

Do you mean "at grade" intersections? Well they cross very carefully.

I am sure that 99.9% of farmers would rather use an overpass than cross a busy highway. In BC they have put agricultural overpasses on the South Fraser Bypass.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

Want a highway in Canada that needs widening?

Highway 1 through Langley/Abbotsford. Plans to widen later between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.

4 lanes. A few interchange improvement projects, but still 2 lanes per direction. Highway largely has't changed since it opened 50+ years ago.

Traffic volumes:

Between Langley & Abbotsford:
AADT - 70,538
AAWDT - 72,910

Between Abbotsford & Chilliwack:
AADT - 36,991
AAWDT - 37,177

The Malahat Highway is another really bad one. AADT like 25,000 and only 2 lanes, with only a canceled widening plan.

[feepa]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

One road that seems to have been consistently neglected by the provincial government of Ontario is the QEW between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls. While, not warranting six lanes by any means (though it would be nice if the QEW widened between Mountain Road and the 420), the highway still has its narrow 1950's style grass median with no cross-over protection at all. It's amazing that not even a steel beam has been constructed down one side of the highway. I don't think any work is planned to rectify this deficiency either. That massive accident that happened outside of Windsor back in 1999, could have just as easily have occurred on the QEW outside of Fort Erie.

most of the QEII in Alberta is like this.

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by feepa

most of the QEII in Alberta is like this.

Yeah, that's quite a narrow highway. There does seem to be a cable median barrier along much of the length of the highway though.

[leftimage]

Montreal, home of the nation's most massive, brooding highway system

Just look at this beast:

• Video Link

[Innsertnamehere]

The A720 is easily the most impressive highway in the country IMO. damn nice piece of infrastructure.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by leftimage

Montreal, home of the nation's most massive, brooding highway system

Just look at this beast:

• Video Link

Not in my lifetime ever in Calgary - would be nice though.

[SignalHillHiker]

Awesome MTL vid. I love the sunken park, recognize it from MexiQuebecois' pics.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

Yeah, that's quite a narrow highway. There does seem to be a cable median barrier along much of the length of the highway though.

There is a cable median barrier and while it keeps cars and smaller trucks from crossing over, there have been instances of transport trucks/semi's smashing their way through. I believe there was also an instance recently near Calgary where a car/SUV flipped and rolled over the cable median. Over all though, it is a good piece of safety infrastructure that was added - lives have been saved.

[GreaterMontréal]

Originally Posted by leftimage

Montreal, home of the nation's most massive, brooding highway system

Just look at this beast:

• Video Link

From 2018, the A720, better known under the name of Ville-Marie, will become Route 136. 3km. will retain four lanes in each direction, plus a lane for public transit.
there will be lowering of the expressway.

[haljackey]

Quality vid, thanks for creating and sharing it!

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by leftimage

Montreal, home of the nation's most massive, brooding highway system

Just look at this beast:

• Video Link

Thanks for sharing ! Montréal has a huge expressway system indeed !

[craner]

That Montreal vid was awesome, so glad I pushed play - what a drive.

[Tone]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

The A720 is easily the most impressive highway in the country IMO. damn nice piece of infrastructure.

Agree, it just screams big city!

Here's the 3 featured highways in order of appearance for those not familiar with the Greater Montreal Area:

Autoroute Métropolitaine (A40) from 0:00 to 2:27
Autoroute Décarie (A15) from 2:40 to 4:16
Autoroute Ville-Marie (A720) from 4:34 to 6:12