Manitoba Highways

[esquire]

I drove that stretch between Brandon and Winnipeg a couple of times this summer and I had pretty well the same thoughts as rrskylar. I can live with our substandard highways but can we at least get the TCH right? Headingley is a disaster, the Portage Bypass is inadequate, the traffic lights where there should be interchanges are treacherous... it's bizarre.

There is so much traffic on the TCH between Winnipeg and Portage now that the day where we need 6 lanes for at least part of it can't be that far off either. But how will that happen when the fundamental stuff that should have been done in the 80s still hasn't been done?

[bomberjet]

And Disraeli really is substandard as freeway with the exit in the middle. The exit/merge lanes don't allow you to gather speed. Maybe not for the 60 km/h speed on the freeway lol

Is Portage Bypass really that substandard? Beyond the damaged bridge that is being replaced and then the grade crossing of course. Otherwise I thought it was fine. And the only freeway esque piece of the TCH. One interchange and it would be solved and be a freeway.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Is Portage Bypass really that substandard? Beyond the damaged bridge that is being replaced and then the grade crossing of course. Otherwise I thought it was fine. And the only freeway esque piece of the TCH. One interchange and it would be solved and be a freeway.

It seems that one of the east/west ends of the Bypass has damage at any given point... the bridge at the west end that has been broken for years is embarrassing. And the busy intersection near the Days Inn is treacherous.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by esquire

It seems that one of the east/west ends of the Bypass has damage at any given point... the bridge at the west end that has been broken for years is embarrassing.

It wasn't thought feasible to fix it, as it was near the end of life, and was being redesigned from what I understand.

I agree that one interchange would fix the bypass.

[cheswick]

I just drove the TCH to Montreal and back. I think you people complain too much (and I have to quarantine for two weeks despite Manitoba having more cases per capita than either of those provinces, but I digress).

[DavefromSt.Vital]

There are a couple of other problems. The overpass over the CP Mainline on the west side of the bypass has no shoulders. Apart from not allowing anyone to pull over and making that portion an adventure for cross-country cyclists, in the winter it can be a huge problem when it snows and a plow goes through. While the outside barrier is not solid and allows plowed snow through to some extent, the centre barrier is concrete and often has snow accumulate. On some trips I have found two lanes disappear down to two half-lanes very quickly.

Also, some of the turning geometry on the old interchanges in a little off, particularly on the east one. One year I was heading WB when I hit some black ice just before going under the bridge. Thankfully the ice ended before I hit the bridge pillars, however I was definitely worried about sliding into them at highway speed.

[bomberjet]

The west end bridge is being rebuilt to more modern standards. Supposed to be some kind of design study coming out.

Had the discussion previously about shoulders on bridges. Such as Disraeli having no shoulders at all. Is it needed?

[esquire]

^ Yes in both cases, but arguably much more so on a high speed rural highway. I'm no engineer, but that overpass Dave mentioned looks woefully deficient to me with that steep drop off and no shoulder at all on the bridge.

[bomberjet]

Moved from Western Expresso.

Originally Posted by Biff

I spoke with those involved, the plan was in place to replace the 59 North floodway bridge in 2020/2021 (before the existing bridge was hit). The repairs were north of $1.5 million (insurance coverage was $500-$800k). They saw no reason to spend the $1.5m only to rip it down 1-2 years later.

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Thanks Biff. 2020 is quickly drawing to a close. Are those dates still accurate?

Originally Posted by pspeid

These facts will probably ruin someone's furious indignation.

Originally Posted by bomberjet

I found this regarding the bridge.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/wms/struct...spring2019.pdf

[bomberjet]

Kind of as expected. 3 lanes each way with widening to 4 in future. Keeping it on current alignment as much as possible Instead of the alternative which has property requirements and more curves in the highway.

Hopefully the curves east of the bridge will be adjusted to achieve 100 km/h speeds. It mentions they'll be upgraded to smooth road geometry.

Note this is from early 2019, so plans could've changed by now.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Kind of as expected. 3 lanes each way with widening to 4 in future. Keeping it on current alignment as much as possible Instead of the alternative which has property requirements and more curves in the highway.

Hopefully the curves east of the bridge will be adjusted to achieve 100 km/h speeds. It mentions they'll be upgraded to smooth road geometry.

Note this is from early 2019, so plans could've changed by now.

The plan is build one new span (i cant recall if north or south first) move traffic, demo old structure and build new structure. The build around option like they did on the Hwy 1 Floodway bridge was not an option at this location due to alignment issues.

[WildCake]

Originally Posted by Biff

The plan is build one new span (i cant recall if north or south first) move traffic, demo old structure and build new structure. The build around option like they did on the Hwy 1 Floodway bridge was not an option at this location due to alignment issues.

I think Bomberjet was wondering if the project was still going to start in November or if it has been delayed/cancelled

[bomberjet]

More info here on some other projects. Not sure I've seen the Portage Bypass open house before.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/wms/structures/design.html

[bomberjet]

Ya a little of both. Overall sequence is likely the same. Just wondering if all the details regarding highway works, etc are the same.

Also haven't heard anything recently on the project.

[Biff]

Yes, it is still planned for this fall.

[esquire]

While we're on the topic, once the new bridge is built are there plans to extend the 6 lane part of 59 beyond the Birds Hill town exit? I'm not sure what the AADT standards are for 6 lanes, but it seems to me that 59 is really busy up to at least Garven Road... could probably use an extra lane up to at least that point.

[bomberjet]

Thanks Biff.

Based on the plans from the links I shared, not yet for 6 lanes. The bridge will have 6 lanes, but 2 of them are for the ramps at the east end. Widening in the future to allow for 6 through lanes. Seeing as 59 is 6 lanes through the Birds Hill intersection already, it would make sense that they put 6 lanes through to Graven now. It would be the extra cost of the bridge girders and deck. They'll build the piers to accommodate the 8 lanes anyway.

But you're right. Garven is busy with gravel trucks and traffic to Oakbank. Could use 6 lanes from 101 to Garven.

I'm not sure if I've seen it on a Manitoba highway anywhere. But they could set-up an intersection at Garven similar to the intersection that's at Bishop and Kenaston. Have the 2 southbound lanes on 59 continue straight through with no traffic lights. Then have the left turn lanes from 59S and garven meet an intersection separated by a median/barrier. That left turn lane from Garven then becomes the third lane on 59S. The Bishop/Kenaston merge can be a bit sketchy because people are weaving to both sides to stores and such. Wouldn't be the case at garven.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

Thanks Biff.

Based on the plans from the links I shared, not yet for 6 lanes. The bridge will have 6 lanes, but 2 of them are for the ramps at the east end. Widening in the future to allow for 6 through lanes. Seeing as 59 is 6 lanes through the Birds Hill intersection already, it would make sense that they put 6 lanes through to Graven now. It would be the extra cost of the bridge girders and deck. They'll build the piers to accommodate the 8 lanes anyway.

But you're right. Garven is busy with gravel trucks and traffic to Oakbank. Could use 6 lanes from 101 to Garven.

This is the province where on-ramps on the bald prairie spit you directly into highway traffic with next to no merge space. Going out on a limb here, but there is no way that MI is building a bridge deck with 6 lanes to provide that much accel/decel room for the Spring Hill exit! It appears fully intended to accommodate 6 through lanes at some point in the future... the question is when.

[bomberjet]

Well the way it's set-up in that plan is for the ramp lanes with future widening! But maybe in the future they'll just dump those ramps directly onto the through lanes like you mentioned lol

[Biff]

bomberjet - clearly MIT has heard your concerns to get the bridge underway sooner than later.
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September 15, 2020 PROVINCE ISSUES TENDER FOR NEW BRIDGE ON PTH 59
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Highly Anticipated Bridge Reconstruction
Moving Forward on PTH 59 over Floodway: Schuler

The Manitoba government is moving forward with the tendering process for a new bridge on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 59 over the Red River Floodway, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today.

“Our governments’ priority is safety; this bridge is 56 years old, deteriorating and requires replacement as it has exceeded its original design service life,” said Schuler. “Over 17,000 vehicles cross this bridge daily and we need to ensure the safe movement of both people and goods can continue.”

The bridge on PTH 59 over the Red River Floodway was constructed in 1964, and serves as a vital link to many Manitoban destinations such as Birds Hill Provincial Park, Whiteshell and Grand Beach, as well as a link to First Nations communities and several towns and villages. The bridge is a connection to the city of Winnipeg and other areas in Manitoba, and acts as an important trade corridor for goods and services.

On July 12, 2018, the bridge suffered an over-height vehicle collision. Immediately following the incident, Manitoba Infrastructure inspected the bridge and determined the damaged girder and a portion of the deck needed to be removed. Removal of these sections prevented further damage and allowed for re-opening of the Oasis Road under the bridge.

A public information session on the bridge replacement was held last May to inform the public of the design work, with construction to begin this fall. North and southbound bridges will be built to replace the existing structure and roadway realignments will take place. In addition, the bridge replacement will have an increased clearance of 1.5 metres in height to meet new floodway standards. Construction will be staged to accommodate the operation of the Red River Floodway and is anticipated to be completed and fully open to traffic by fall of 2023, the minister added.

“We are excited to be moving ahead with the new PTH 59 bridge. This is a much-needed investment in critical infrastructure as we work to restart Manitoba’s economy,” the minister said.