Highways in Canada

[sa230e]

Yeah, the former loop ramps are pretty much wasted space. I wonder if the city can open them up to development. They're building condos in the space between ramps and the highway on the Gardiner (10 York), why not the DVP?

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Dwils01

I got the info from the Sault Star about public consultation. There were to addresses listed from North Bay which I think might be where the company doing the EA with the MTO is from. This has been going on for a while but it has started to get traction for the project this past month.
This is what I found for it. It's an older one from 2010 but it's relatively the same project. http://www.lairdtownship.ca/documents/misc/Echo%20Bay%20Access.pdf

As for twinning the 17 in northern Ontario, Espanola to North Bay is the worst part for heavy traffic so that should be twinned first. Everywhere else can wait awhile.

It seems like a strange priority, but the existing exits into Echo Bay are a bit awkward and it kind of makes sense to finish the controlled-access section off as far as the Bar River Road. I can't see a benefit to going any farther east with a controlled-access section. The four-lane section from Bar River to Hwy 548, which dates to the mid-70s, is more than adequate as it is, with good turnoff lanes and lighting at each intersection. Much better to spend the funds on widening Hwy 17 from Hwy 548 toward Thessalon.

[FrAnKs]

I uploaded a new video yesterday : Route 175 (North), L'étape to Saguenay (Part 1)

The video starts about 100km north of Quebec city and will eventually reach the border of the city of Saguenay in a second video.

I can't believe it was only a simple gravel road in a far past lol

Enjoy !

• Video Link

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by Andy6

It seems like a strange priority, but the existing exits into Echo Bay are a bit awkward and it kind of makes sense to finish the controlled-access section off as far as the Bar River Road. I can't see a benefit to going any farther east with a controlled-access section. The four-lane section from Bar River to Hwy 548, which dates to the mid-70s, is more than adequate as it is, with good turnoff lanes and lighting at each intersection. Much better to spend the funds on widening Hwy 17 from Hwy 548 toward Thessalon.

That section could use service roads at the very least. There are numerous properties that directly abut Highway 17. The north side has very few properties though and they could be easily accessed by the side roads and short accesses, while the south side would need more creative access options, or for the existing eastbound lanes to be used as a service road while 17 is realigned slightly.

One thing I don't like is that the speed limit there is only 90 km/h...

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

I uploaded a new video yesterday : Route 175 (North), L'étape to Saguenay (Part 1)

The video starts about 100km north of Quebec city and will eventually reach the border of the city of Saguenay in a second video.

I can't believe it was only a simple gravel road in a far past lol

Enjoy !

Thanks FrAnKs. One of these days I'm going to explore the Cote Nord beyond Mont Ste Anne, at least as far as the Saguenay Fiord, drive up the fiord to Saguenay itself and take this highway back to QC. I'm looking forward to doing it......

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Thanks FrAnKs. One of these days I'm going to explore the Cote Nord beyond Mont Ste Anne, at least as far as the Saguenay Fiord, drive up the fiord to Saguenay itself and take this highway back to QC. I'm looking forward to doing it......

Thank you MonctonRad

It is indeed really worth it. I am quite happy that Quebec city is well located. It is at the front door of the mountains, the St-Lawrence estuary aswell as the saguenay fjord. Wild nature is literally next to the city.

I am not sure if you noticed it, but a couple of months ago, I filmed the first part of Route 175 between Quebec city and L'étape. Here's the link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQDHTIdIiAE

[MolsonExport]

FrAnKs: Gorgeous road and outstanding cinematography. But I especially love the Editorial comments and trivia tidbits.
I may take the family on this drive next summer. We are overdue a visit back to my home province (I get back thrice a year, mostly for business).

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by haljackey

Don Valley Parkway at Eglinton Avenue in Toronto

Former cloverleaf.



Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ai360/19863133985/in/dateposted/

What's the point of changing it from a clover to this?

[vid]

It's for safety. Cloverleaf interchanges cause traffic to "weave", as cars merge off of an on-ramp in the same location that cars are merging onto an off-ramp. It led to collisions at those points, and for that reason traditional cloverleafs are no longer constructed. They're basically obsolete technology.

They were replaced mainly by two main kinds of interchanges: partial cloverleafs or parclos (which were invented by the MTO), which have at-grade intersections on minor roads where grade separation isn't necessary; and stack interchanges, which are the very complex, multi-layered interchanges designed for two or more highways to connect to each other without causing traffic to stop. There are other interchange designs as well, Wikipedia has a pretty good explanation of what they are: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_%28road%29

All the designs have the same goal: move people as efficiently and safely as possible. The traditional cloverleaf failed to meet that goal, because of the high rate of accidents in its merge lanes.

[vid]

In other news, the Chronicle-Journal is reporting that the north span Nipigon River Bridge is now open to bi-directional traffic, but people who have actually gone there to see it are saying it's not open, so who knows? No official press release has been made.

Here is a time lapse of the construction:

https://vimeo.com/136477359

The eastbound span will be constructed next year, after the old bridge is removed. The entire project is expected to be done in late 2017/early 2018. Once done it will consist of twinned two-lane bridges carrying four lanes of traffic on highway 11/17 in Nipigon.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

FrAnKs: Gorgeous road and outstanding cinematography. But I especially love the Editorial comments and trivia tidbits.

I'll second this. The videos (and accompanying music) are fantastic enough, but the annotations push them up a notch.

Many thanks, FrAnKs.

[DrNest]

I drove over the 407 extension at Thickson Rd this afternoon. Judging by the state of what I saw, there's no way this is going to be open in 2015. I would say sometime mid 2016 is realistic.

[sonysnob]

^ I agree. They have been putting up signage lately:

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

FrAnKs: Gorgeous road and outstanding cinematography. But I especially love the Editorial comments and trivia tidbits.
I may take the family on this drive next summer. We are overdue a visit back to my home province (I get back thrice a year, mostly for business).

Thanks again

There is so much beautiful places to visit in La belle province , but Charlevoix and the Saguenay region with the fjord are one heck of a trip !

Just being curious, may I ask you what kind of stuffs/things are missing you the most since you're living out of Quebec, Molson ?

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

I'll second this. The videos (and accompanying music) are fantastic enough, but the annotations push them up a notch.

Many thanks, FrAnKs.

Thanks, I'll continue that way ! I'll also make sure to come back in Wintario next spring/summer, because there is so much to do there !

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

^ I agree. They have been putting up signage lately:

I still have no idea how you're able to take pics like this. Long walk from the nearest parking area and risk of getting yelled at by workers. Must take nerves of steel.

But the risk is worth the reward. Nice pic!

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by haljackey

I still have no idea how you're able to take pics like this. Long walk from the nearest parking area and risk of getting yelled at by workers. Must take nerves of steel.

But the risk is worth the reward. Nice pic!

Thanks.

I took this photo on Sunday morning. There wasn't any activity going on at this part of the site, so it wasn't too risky to go for a walk. A couple of guys driving construction vehicles drove past me while I was walking, but nobody stopped to give me any trouble.

It's been a neat project to watch get built.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

Thanks again

There is so much beautiful places to visit in La belle province , but Charlevoix and the Saguenay region with the fjord are one heck of a trip !

Just being curious, may I ask you what kind of stuffs/things are missing you the most since you're living out of Quebec, Molson ?

Joie de vivre (living for the moment), art/architecture (London is bereft), food (really miss the Quebecois comfort food, e.g., Rotisserie Chicken at Chalet BBQ, Smoked Meat, St. Viateur/Fairmount Bagels, Poutine, even steamies!), the bustle of the streets and sidewalks of Montreal, and just the Quebec and Montreal cultures in general.

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Joie de vivre (living for the moment), art/architecture (London is bereft), food (really miss the Quebecois comfort food, e.g., Rotisserie Chicken at Chalet BBQ, Smoked Meat, St. Viateur/Fairmount Bagels, Poutine, even steamies!), the bustle of the streets and sidewalks of Montreal, and just the Quebec and Montreal cultures in general.

It's very interresting to know the point of view of someone who experienced both sides

I am not an expert at all, but I noticed the ''Joie de vivre'' thing.
Not sure what are the right words to use, but many times I found Ontarians quite Serious and calm looking peoples. Peoples weren't talking too loud inside of say, a restaurant per example. Thats where I found a certain clash compared to Quebec.

I came back in Quebec, and right after the border, I saw peoples smilling alot, laughing, chatting with me about their personnal life etc.. lol ( I am not saying that it's impossible in Ontario, dont get me wrong )

About architecture, I think Ontario has nothing to be shameful compared to the province of Quebec. I especially like those Main Streets in Many ontarian villages/cities with some solid heritage buildings. But I think Quebec will certainly treat its street ambiance & will dress it differently like if aesthetics were seeing in a different angle here. I just don't know how to describe it.

Last question, do you believe food is better in Quebec ? Are peoples eating slightly better here ?

[sonysnob]

Not shockingly, but it's official, the 407 east extension won't be opening until the spring:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transpor...-but-tolls-will-be-waived-initially.html