Highways in Canada

[haljackey]

Photos of the Gardiner Expressway under construction:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...iner-under-construction/article24464154/

Toronto city council is currently debating the future of the east end of the expressway, which is underused and in bad shape. Decision expected next month.

Some possible solutions:
Maintain (supported by former mayor Rob Ford)
Full rebuild / replacement
Replace with smaller / hybrid structure (supported by current mayor John Tory)
Remove, replace with at-grade grand avenue

Story: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...xpressway-nears-endgame/article24425629/

[SignalHillHiker]

The perpetually foggy Isthmus of Avalon this morning.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Photos of the Gardiner Expressway under construction:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...iner-under-construction/article24464154/

Toronto city council is currently debating the future of the east end of the expressway, which is underused and in bad shape. Decision expected next month.

Some possible solutions:
Maintain (supported by former mayor Rob Ford)
Full rebuild / replacement
Replace with smaller / hybrid structure (supported by current mayor John Tory)
Remove, replace with at-grade grand avenue

Story: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...xpressway-nears-endgame/article24425629/

I'm very much against demolishing any part of the Gardiner Expressway because I've seen what incomplete expressways do to traffic. In Mexico City, the Circuito Interior expressway has a "gap" in which traffic must travel along surface streets to connect from one section to another, on the west side of the old city. I have driven in that myself, and it takes about an hour to get from the end of one expressway segment to the other, even though it's only 2-3 kilometres. And this is in a city with a far more adequate subway system than Toronto. Imagine how much traffic would back up on the Gardiner and DVP getting onto the proposed gap roadway, especially as Toronto continues to grow.

In addition, I fail to see how the expressway is a "barrier" to the waterfront. If anything, the Gardiner enhances access to the waterfront, since it is grade separated. If there is any barrier to the waterfront, it's Lake Shore Blvd and the railway tracks, but in the state those are in today, I don't see them as significant barriers. Torontonians don't know how good they have things right now.

Toronto's real problem right now is its unemployment rate and its need for more public transit.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

I'm very much against demolishing any part of the Gardiner Expressway because I've seen what incomplete expressways do to traffic. In Mexico City, the Circuito Interior expressway has a "gap" in which traffic must travel along surface streets to connect from one section to another, on the west side of the old city. I have driven in that myself, and it takes about an hour to get from the end of one expressway segment to the other, even though it's only 2-3 kilometres. And this is in a city with a far more adequate subway system than Toronto. Imagine how much traffic would back up on the Gardiner and DVP getting onto the proposed gap roadway, especially as Toronto continues to grow.

In addition, I fail to see how the expressway is a "barrier" to the waterfront. If anything, the Gardiner enhances access to the waterfront, since it is grade separated. If there is any barrier to the waterfront, it's Lake Shore Blvd and the railway tracks, but in the state those are in today, I don't see them as significant barriers. Torontonians don't know how good they have things right now.

Toronto's real problem right now is its unemployment rate and its need for more public transit.

I only go to downtown Toronto if I can drive there. The anti-freeway people really need to think twice. If council makes downtown harder to get to for visitors, don't be crying that fewer people are going there.

[eemy]

That section of the Gardiner actually sees relatively little use as most people are getting off before ever hitting that section. Very few people actually go from the Gardiner to the DVP or vice versa and for people who are accessing local streets (which is most drivers), a road like Lakeshore is actually more efficient at dispersing them than the current system that funnels them off onto only a few streets downtown that are overloaded as a result.

[Loco101]

The Gardiner and DVP should be connected and both freeways should be drastically improved with more lanes. I find Toronto to be so stressful to get around in no matter which method of transportation you choose. Also, put some money into landscaping on the freeways and it will pay off over the long run. I would be okay with paying tolls as long as it means efficient access to downtown. I usually only visit downtown T.O. on weekends or evenings, mainly off-peak times. And even then the traffic can be very heavy.

[Vertigo3000]

Originally Posted by Loco101

The Gardiner and DVP should be connected and both freeways should be drastically improved with more lanes. I find Toronto to be so stressful to get around in no matter which method of transportation you choose. Also, put some money into landscaping on the freeways and it will pay off over the long run. I would be okay with paying tolls as long as it means efficient access to downtown. I usually only visit downtown T.O. on weekends or evenings, mainly off-peak times. And even then the traffic can be very heavy.

It's called a big city, deal with it. And plenty of people hate the dependency on cars. If you really have to go to Toronto, park your car and pay 6 dollars and take the subway. Your ideas of expressway expansion is brutally anti-urban

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Photos of the Gardiner Expressway under construction:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...iner-under-construction/article24464154/

Toronto city council is currently debating the future of the east end of the expressway, which is underused and in bad shape. Decision expected next month.

Some possible solutions:
Maintain (supported by former mayor Rob Ford)
Full rebuild / replacement
Replace with smaller / hybrid structure (supported by current mayor John Tory)
Remove, replace with at-grade grand avenue

Story: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toro...xpressway-nears-endgame/article24425629/

Is there room on the railway ROW for a free-flowing ramp series? That way, the entire area there is preserved for development, while at the same time there is a free-flowing connection between the Gardiner and DVP. Adding even one traffic signal would likely mean gridlock on the ENTIRE DVP as that would be a huge bottleneck. 4 lanes would probably be sufficient there.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

That section of the Gardiner actually sees relatively little use as most people are getting off before ever hitting that section. Very few people actually go from the Gardiner to the DVP or vice versa and for people who are accessing local streets (which is most drivers), a road like Lakeshore is actually more efficient at dispersing them than the current system that funnels them off onto only a few streets downtown that are overloaded as a result.

What happens if the 401 is closed or experiencing a major disruption? The Gardiner/DVP combination does provide redundancy in the network, especially as not everyone wants to take the 407.

[eemy]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

What happens if the 401 is closed or experiencing a major disruption? The Gardiner/DVP combination does provide redundancy in the network, especially as not everyone wants to take the 407.

The Gardiner and DVP is not a remotely plausible alternate route to the 401. Also, the entire 401 has been closed precisely once, as far as I know.

The DVP wouldn't grind to a halt, since most people get off the DVP before it becomes the Gardiner.

[Dwils01]

Driving the DVP to Gardiner connection for four months to work, it is a pretty important connection and even though a lot of traffic gets off at Bloor, I think that part is still necessary because I've been in heavy traffic in that area a few times.

Since burying it seems too expensive I'd rather just maintain what is there now. I don't thinks it's a barrier to the waterfront as much as Lakeshore or the rail corridor and they have done some nice improvements under the Gardiner such as the area around Fort York and I can't see why they can't make more public space under where Lakeshore doesn't go directly under the Gardiner.

[middeljohn]

I just got back from BC. Have to say BC has the best road surface conditions I've seen anywhere in Canada. It's smooth everywhere that I went to.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by middeljohn

I just got back from BC. Have to say BC has the best road surface conditions I've seen anywhere in Canada. It's smooth everywhere that I went to.

I'd have to say that honour goes to your home province from my experience. BC would be a close second though.

[ssiguy]

I agree, BC keeps it's main highways in very good repair.

Although support tearing down the Waterfront due to the way it psychologically cuts of the Watefront, have always seen Lakeshore as the biggest barrier both physically and esthetically.

[srperrycgy]

Headed out from Calgary on a cloudy afternoon drive to the green Foothills.


Drive 05-17-2015 by Steve Perry, on Flickr

• From home to Highway 8 via 17th Ave SW & 69th St SW
• Highway 8
• Highway 22 through Bragg Creek
• Sec. Highway 762. Windy road that still has major damage from the 2013 floods. Speed limit should be 90 and not 100.
• Sec. Highway 549 to Millarville
• Highway 22 through Turner Valley, Black Diamond & Longview
• Stop in Longview for Beef Jerky. The good stuff.
• Highway 22 to Chain Lakes Prov. Park
• Stop at Chain Lakes.

Hwy22WindWarning by Steve Perry, on Flickr

An important safety sign for truckers on Hwy 22 at Chain Lakes. Like Hwy 2 further east, Hwy 22 gets very windy. It was calm this afternoon and only reading 17 km/h. When I drove to Lethbridge a few months back, I didn't see a sign like this on Hwy 2. It would be a good idea to add these signs between Fort Macleod and Claresholm.

• Sec. Highway 533. A beautiful highway. A new one for me. Heading from the foothills down to the prairie at Nanton.
• Stop at Nanton for Candy!
• Highway 2 back to Calgary.

277km
3h37min
Lowest Altitude: 1017m
Highest Altitude: 1438m

[Kokkei Mizu]

Highway 2 through Peace River, AB. A free-flow highway through most of town except for a few lights in an industrial area on the west side. This highway badly needs an upgrade though, and planning has started, including a twinning of the bridge across Peace River. Here's a video going through town.

• Video Link

[craner]

Originally Posted by middeljohn

I just got back from BC. Have to say BC has the best road surface conditions I've seen anywhere in Canada. It's smooth everywhere that I went to.

I agree. I've always assumed it's because the freeze/thaw cycles in BC are so much less severe.
The worst road surfaces are through the National Parks in BC.

[theman23]

Originally Posted by Loco101

The Gardiner and DVP should be connected and both freeways should be drastically improved with more lanes. I find Toronto to be so stressful to get around in no matter which method of transportation you choose. Also, put some money into landscaping on the freeways and it will pay off over the long run. I would be okay with paying tolls as long as it means efficient access to downtown. I usually only visit downtown T.O. on weekends or evenings, mainly

Less people going downtown is not a serious concern for Toronto. The ship has long sailed on that possibility. The question is how to most effectively manage the increasing traffic.

I don't think the Gardiner should be torn down, but more lanes is not the answer. I don't think we even have room. Keep what we have now, improve the rail connections.

I don't know where Timmins is, but ideally someone like yourself should be able to drive into one of the GO train stations (Oshawa maybe?) around the city and take the train in from there rather than driving all the way in. If you're really stubborn, you could drive in but expect to pay out of your ass.

[theman23]

Originally Posted by jeremy_haak

The Gardiner and DVP is not a remotely plausible alternate route to the 401. Also, the entire 401 has been closed precisely once, as far as I know.

The DVP wouldn't grind to a halt, since most people get off the DVP before it becomes the Gardiner.

It kind of is, depending on where you're coming from. Its rarely the best option, but if you're coming in from say..Hamilton and heading to Markham and in manny's situation, it would be your best bet.

[haljackey]

Fireworks along Hamilton's parkways last night

• Video Link