New Interchanges and Bypasses in MB / SK

[Arts]

Originally Posted by BrannyMuffin

I don't think it's that space an issue so much, but the land is pricey. There are also businesses and homes right along Hwys 1 and 624. If this will do the job effectively, and is safe (seems to be very safe, actually) I don't see why they they would go with something more expensive. Especially considering that they're going to be be building another interchange at White City (less than 4 kms away) and Balgonie (roughly another 8 kms.)

Looking more closely at the traffic study, it seems the bulk of traffic at AM peak is westbound to Regina, and PM peak is northbound from Regina. The Pilot Butte Rd is basically an arterial during peak hours... A standard parclo (like Option 2) but with a single loop only for northbound vehicles and left turn for cars headed south on hwy 624 from the East would be just perfect. Or alternatively to keep construction even simpler a standard diamond interchange with extra lanes on the west 2 ramps and prioritized signals and channelization for this commuter traffic would probably even work much better than a diverging diamond interchange, and be just as safe, since there is virtually zero traffic continuing North/South on hwy 624.

I'd like to think that planners know what they are doing, but the fact they think diverging lanes on the overpass are a good option for those traffic projections make me kind of skeptical. But I'm just an internet keyboard warrior so what do I know.

[Arts]

Now where I think a diverging diamond interchange may really be beneficial is Circle Dr and Idylwyld Dr, especially with all the commercial traffic coming south off the Yellowhead onto Circle Dr eastbound. It could be made so all turning traffic would only have one signal to pass.

The other thing that looks like it may be possible with a DDI, unless I'm overlooking something, if you had a little extra space, is to have further grade separation at the crossover intersection points - how cool would that be to have an unsignalized interchange in a footprint not much larger than a standard diamond interchange! with only two extra spans to create?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Arts

Now where I think a diverging diamond interchange may really be beneficial is Circle Dr and Idylwyld Dr, especially with all the commercial traffic coming south off the Yellowhead onto Circle Dr eastbound. It could be made so all turning traffic would only have one signal to pass.

The other thing that looks like it may be possible with a DDI, unless I'm overlooking something, if you had a little extra space, is to have further grade separation at the crossover intersection points - how cool would that be to have an unsignalized interchange in a footprint not much larger than a standard diamond interchange! with only two extra spans to create?

I think a SPUI would work best here. Less space and much easier to build with current conditions.

[Festivus]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

I think a SPUI would work best here. Less space and much easier to build with current conditions.

I've never seen a SPUI before, but after looking them up they look quite cool.

[Mininari]

Dear Manitoba Ministry of Transport.

Build an interchange at Hwy 3 and Hwy 100. Too many horrific crashes, too many deaths, and too many close calls (including my own recent one involving a solid-red-running semi truck). Thanks.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Well ladies and gents. The Circle drive south project opens tomorrow making the circle a "circle" A little late but never the less done. Opening tomorrow night at 8pm to traffic! Get out there and enjoy it!

[dmuzika]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Well ladies and gents. The Circle drive south project opens tomorrow making the circle a "circle" A little late but never the less done. Opening tomorrow night at 8pm to traffic! Get out there and enjoy it!

Does anyone have any pictures of the completed south Circle Drive??

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by dmuzika

Does anyone have any pictures of the completed south Circle Drive??

I will have video up of the project. Get it on my way home. Also nice is now the westbound lanes under the Preston Ave interchange are also open! Makes getting through there much nice westbound without having to stop at a light!

[brithgob]

So can anyone explain to me why there are two exits onto Idylwyld North, one left and one right?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by brithgob

So can anyone explain to me why there are two exits onto Idylwyld North, one left and one right?

It is so the traffic westbound on Circle can exit left to Idylwyld and the traffic coming westbound coming off clearance can either go west on Circle Dr or North on Idylwyld without crossing over Circle drive traffic taking the ramp to continue westbound. Very smart / safe design.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Hey guys here is Clearance to 11th and back on the circle drive south.

Little grainy from my iPhone4 but you get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-eBHz9rGE

[Biff]

I'm jealous that Saskatoon can build things properly and without stop lights. It blows me away.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

You might want to hold back your praise. We still have the bottleneck that is Circle Dr N. Also, before the recent construction, there were lights at Clarence and at Preston as well as all over circle Dr West, where two still exist on south bound traffic. So no, Saskatoon didn't do things right. They are better than before, but still not right. Even Regina will have a better free way encircling the city once the West Bypass is complete.

True story. Once the South Circle drive project is complete it will be much nicer. However I feel the need to keep a left turn at Clancy and Confederation drive were not needed. Right turns sure. But to get to Circle drive North not required. a Revamp of 22nd would be safer for both roads. Also with the future interchange at Boychuck and 16 that will make things VERY nice for truckers.

One thing I am now noticing is a MASSIVE increase of traffic making a left hand turn from Circle North to Airport. That was at 7:30am at 8:00 I can't imagine how it is going to be like! I can see someone not paying attention and plowing into the back of a driver waiting in the "FAST LANE" waiting to make the left. All sorts of BAD there.

I have designed an interchange for this area and once I get it finished in AutoCAD I will post a picture.

[Twrlvr]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

You might want to hold back your praise. We still have the bottleneck that is Circle Dr N. Also, before the recent construction, there were lights at Clarence and at Preston as well as all over circle Dr West, where two still exist on south bound traffic. So no, Saskatoon didn't do things right. They are better than before, but still not right. Even Regina will have a better free way encircling the city once the West Bypass is complete.

Possibly, but will we live long enough to see it?! Saskatoon is waaay better at planning ahead. Regina averages 10 years after needed.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

Yes, we will. The west bypass has a higher priority by the province than almost any other highway project after finishing Highway 11. It's all for the global transportation hub.

Agreed the larger interchanges at WRB Hwy 11 and the ones at Dewdney and at the new HUB road will be complete within 5-6 years. 4-lane highway from N/S Hwy 11 to Hwy 1. Will be a glorious thing. Especially when I need to go through Regina currently to get to Grand Coulee. Will save me at least 15 minutes!

[SkydivePilot]

Not much of a posting here; however, yesterday, I drove from Vanscoy to Regina via the new South Bridge route. WOW!!! That whole thing is pretty damn impressive!!! (Now, if the rest of Circle Drive can catch up with that!!!)

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by SkydivePilot

Not much of a posting here; however, yesterday, I drove from Vanscoy to Regina via the new South Bridge route. WOW!!! That whole thing is pretty damn impressive!!! (Now, if the rest of Circle Drive can catch up with that!!!)

Haha agreed, I have abandoned driving North Circle Drive to work from College Park and get to work 5 minutes faster (15 minutes faster on the way home) PLUS I have seen a 20% increase in fuel economy without all the start stop.

[Treesplease]

http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/majorprojects/

Some interesting new updates on the Ministry of Highways "Major Projects" page. Of note is the Aug 15 open house on the SE Regina Bypass and the selection of alternative routes process. Not surprised that RM of Sherwood is not on the same page as everyone else (but if they are protecting the rights and best interests of their constituents (there is a first for everything) Sherwood probably made the best choices - but all for nothing because the city and Ministry of Highways are on the same page and that is the final recommendation that will be going to the Minister. The overpasses where two roads will be intersecting above and very close to the rail tracks that go past brandt will make for one of the highest overpasses/interchanges in Sask.

What I found interesting was the weighting given to each of the selection criteria for the alternate routes:
Transcanada functionality 25 / Safety and Traffic Operations 25 / Cost 5 (plus others such as access, property impacts, noise, phasing, economic devlopment potential etc.)
To me the functionality of the TC and safety and traffic operations seem to have a large amount of overlap - if the TC is functional it will improve safety and traffic operations so really the functionality of the TC highway has a weight of 50 vs. a cost weighting of 5. I don't disagree but the message seems to be build it right and it costs what it costs.

Also new (to me anyway) is the proposed route for the service road network that will serve between tower road and balgonie when the stretch of No.1 from Regina to Balgonie gets full grade seperation interchanges and restricted access - looking forward to that and the lives that will be saved. (the interchanges will save lives, not necessarily the service road).

All in all, it seems a lot of money will be spent on the stretch of No.1 from Balgonie to Pinkie Road considering bypasses, interchanges and service roads - and it needs it.

On a side note, I took a drive out to balgonie on 1 east for the first time since spring and the pace of development out there is amazing. A large new building south of No.1 just this side of buffalo lookout (Redhead equip I believe) and a brand new hotel that sprang out of nowhere close to where the auction mart is at white city. Also, the line up of traffic waiting to cross No.1 at white city was spooky - waaaay too many impatient people and this was around 6pm - I shudder to think what it is like at 7:30am.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Dear Manitoba Ministry of Transport.

Build an interchange at Hwy 3 and Hwy 100. Too many horrific crashes, too many deaths, and too many close calls (including my own recent one involving a solid-red-running semi truck). Thanks.

Dear Mininari,

You will be pleased to learn that plans are in the works for that very intersection, studies will take place in 2021, followed by design in 2024, tendering in 2027 with construction to commence in 2031.

Yours Truly,

Todays NDP

[esquire]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Dear Mininari,

You will be pleased to learn that plans are in the works for that very intersection, studies will take place in 2021, followed by design in 2024, tendering in 2027 with construction to commence in 2031.

Yours Truly,

Todays NDP

How many interchanges did Filmon build?

In terms of major highway improvements, the PCs focused on twinning 1 and 75, and the NDP has focused on northern highways and (inexplicably) Centreport Canada Way. Neither party has prioritized interchanges at dangerous intersections.

For Manitoba to have such primitive infrastructure on major highways required the dedicated efforts of both major parties.