Highways in Canada

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

The NPV of tear down and create a boulevard versus rebuild is a wash. So is the extra development really going to generate higher returns than less congestion?

Something like 75%-80% of those who work in central Toronto arrive by transit; of those who don't, most take city streets. The section of the Gardiner being debated for removal only carries 1% of the inbound commuter traffic to the core.

Given that, as well as how strong the financial case is for removal, I'd lend my support to removal.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Given that, as well as how strong the financial case is for removal, I'd lend my support to removal.

But there isn't a slam dunk case. The accepted standard for governments is net present value. The city because it is weird used this other weird method as well.


Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/full-commen...h-road-why-the-east-gardiner-should-live

[niwell]

Yeah I am more or less indifferent on the Gardiner plan. There are pros and cons to each option, and in the big scheme of things the cost differences are minimal. I wish a decision could be made and the issue would go away. Of course that's not going to happen though! Well, the going away part at least...

[Loco101]

Why would Toronto disconnect the ONLY freeways (Gardiner and DVP) that go by its downtown??

But I do understand that municipalities are struggling when it comes to the cost of road maintenance and construction.

[eemy]

Because that portion of freeway is barely used compared to the rest. Most people are heading downtown and get off before they ever reach that section of the Gardiner.

[srperrycgy]

Found these Videos on the BC MoT YouTube channel:

BC 97 from the US Border to Pentiction:

• Video Link

BC 97 from Pentiction to Kelowna:

• Video Link

BC 97 Kelowna to Vernon:

• Video Link

Very cool stuff.

[haljackey]

Watch live here. Decision on Toronto's Gardiner east being made today.

http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=12&rid=16&sid=1030&ref=TorontoCityCouncil

Document http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2015.PW4.1

[haljackey]

Toronto City Council has voted to replace the eastern Gardiner Expressway with a hybrid option.







First exciting thing to happen since Rob Ford. He was at the meeting in a track suit, and was as the only person who voted to maintain the existing structure. Everyone else wanted to demo it or go with the hybrid option

[1overcosc]

So the hybrid option removes the freeway access down to Lakeshore Boulevard in the east, thus reducing it solely to a feeder to/from the DVP? A good compromise, but I still think removal was a better choice.

[eternallyme]

Personally, I would have done a modified hybrid/removal.

East of Yonge Street, I would have built a new 4-lane highway (speed limit likely 70 km/h) directly over, or as close to as possible, the railway tracks. That would have connected to the DVP farther north. Once that opened, the existing Gardiner east of Yonge could be dismantled, with all of the same benefits as the removal. 4 lanes would be sufficient due to traffic volumes there most likely.

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by haljackey

First exciting thing to happen since Rob Ford. He was at the meeting in a track suit, and was as the only person who voted to maintain the existing structure. Everyone else wanted to demo it or go with the hybrid option

Rob Ford never fails to disappoint.

[haljackey]

Interesting photos of when Toronto demolished the eastern Gardiner.



More pics
http://www.blogto.com/city/2015/06/that_time_when_toronto_demolished_the_gardiner/

[vid]

Originally Posted by haljackey

First exciting thing to happen since Rob Ford. He was at the meeting in a track suit, and was as the only person who voted to maintain the existing structure. Everyone else wanted to demo it or go with the hybrid option

Is he Italian now?

[sonysnob]

Some new pictures of Hwy 417 through Kanata. Hwy 417 was widened through Kanata over two multi-year construction projects that were completed in 2014:

Some photos:














The full set of photos, including larger versions of the above photos can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy417_p5a_images.htm

[Horus]

Operation Corridor begins today. The OPP will be partnering with MTO in a blitz to check truck safety.

http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=405&nid=1316

News Release

June 15 2015

Why Commercial Truck Drivers Need to be Among the Safest Drivers

OPP to Partner with MTO for Operation Corridor



AURORA, ON, June 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Over the past ten years (since 2005), more than 700 people have died on Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolled roads in collisions involving large commercial transport trucks.

Large transport trucks are involved in thousands of road collisions in Ontario every year. Last year (2014) there were 6,140 such collisions and 69 people lost their lives. Most (65) of the deceased were in another vehicle involved in the collision compared to four victims who were the driver of the truck.


From June 16 to 17, 2015, the OPP is partnering with the Ministry of Transportation for Operation Corridor, an annual 24-hour traffic safety initiative that focuses on high police visibility, enforcement and safety education aimed at commercial truck drivers who travel on major Ontario highways.


"Over and above the increased risk of death and serious injuries, a collision on a major highway involving a large truck often results in a highway closure that can last for many hours. This has a significant impact on the movement of traffic and goods, making these types of collisions among the most disruptive and socially and economically costly," said OPP Deputy Commissioner (Brad) Blair, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.


Whether from Ontario, another province or south of the border, the OPP is counting on all commercial transport truck drivers who drive on Ontario highways to help keep them safe for all road users. They can do so by ensuring the safe movement and condition of their vehicles every day and by making a commitment to being among the safest drivers on the road.

[BenTheGreat97]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

Some new pictures of Hwy 417 through Kanata. Hwy 417 was widened through Kanata over two multi-year construction projects that were completed in 2014:

On one hand, I love that this expansion has finally been finished. On the other hand, I HATE the HOV lanes they added. I drive the widened section of highway often, and the HOV lanes barely ever get used. All the general traffic is forced onto the three regular lanes and it can get busy. It's not clogged like it used to be, but it's high-speed busy.

"Build it and they will come", my ass. People will not change their driving habits. They prefer to drive their own comfy cars to work alone instead of try to coordinate carpooling, and they don't want to take the bus.

The section between March/Eagleson and Moodie drive is especially busy with fast-moving traffic in the morning, and three lanes just aren't enough. Most of the time, I can only count three vehicles that I can see using the HOV lanes, and that includes me, because I drive my brother and I to school and take the HOV lanes. But in the better interests of everyone, I say remove those wasteful HOV lanes.

[DarkArconio]

Originally Posted by BenTheGreat97

On one hand, I love that this expansion has finally been finished. On the other hand, I HATE the HOV lanes they added. I drive the widened section of highway often, and the HOV lanes barely ever get used. All the general traffic is forced onto the three regular lanes and it can get busy. It's not clogged like it used to be, but it's high-speed busy.

"Build it and they will come", my ass. People will not change their driving habits. They prefer to drive their own comfy cars to work alone instead of try to coordinate carpooling, and they don't want to take the bus.

The section between March/Eagleson and Moodie drive is especially busy with fast-moving traffic in the morning, and three lanes just aren't enough. Most of the time, I can only count three vehicles that I can see using the HOV lanes, and that includes me, because I drive my brother and I to school and take the HOV lanes. But in the better interests of everyone, I say remove those wasteful HOV lanes.

Totally disagree. The only way we'll get more people sharing car space is if we incentivize people do it. And short of paying people, giving them a shorter commute is probably the best incentive we have. On the flip side, the best way to get people using public transit is to make it faster than taking a car, and increasing travel times for single person cars may be the best way to do that!

[Acajack]

I am surprised those HOV lanes are not used more, as 2 persons is a very low threshold.

In Gatineau our HOV lanes require 3 persons in the vehicle.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I am surprised those HOV lanes are not used more, as 2 persons is a very low threshold.

In Gatineau our HOV lanes require 3 persons in the vehicle.

Reminds me of driving around LA... traffic at a near standstill in the regular lanes while the HOV (minimum 2) lanes zip along at 60 mph + ... incredible how many cars there have just one person in them.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by BenTheGreat97

On one hand, I love that this expansion has finally been finished. On the other hand, I HATE the HOV lanes they added. I drive the widened section of highway often, and the HOV lanes barely ever get used. All the general traffic is forced onto the three regular lanes and it can get busy. It's not clogged like it used to be, but it's high-speed busy.

"Build it and they will come", my ass. People will not change their driving habits. They prefer to drive their own comfy cars to work alone instead of try to coordinate carpooling, and they don't want to take the bus.

The section between March/Eagleson and Moodie drive is especially busy with fast-moving traffic in the morning, and three lanes just aren't enough. Most of the time, I can only count three vehicles that I can see using the HOV lanes, and that includes me, because I drive my brother and I to school and take the HOV lanes. But in the better interests of everyone, I say remove those wasteful HOV lanes.

My hope is that the HOV lanes be repurposed as a Kanata extension of the Confederation Line.