Highways in Canada - Page 259

Metro-One · #**5161** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 12:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipster duck

The problem isn't that Vancouver hasn't spent enough money or that there aren't enough grade-separation projects, it's that almost no highway projects result in a seamless, connected highway system.

For example, the SFPR isn't fully grade-separated, and at-grade intersections appear at the most annoying spots, such as the access to the Alex Fraser Bridge (aka: the Hwy 91 connector). If there should be a grade-separated interchange anywhere on the SFPR, this is it!

Then there's the 91 south from the Alex Fraser itself which hits a red light at 72nd Ave, backing up traffic. Then there's the Golden Ears bridge, where the road passes under Highway 1 without an exit forcing you to make a left turn from Pacific Highway. All of these are in greenfield sites where you don't have to do any costly expropriation or engineering work. What prevented them from building interchanges here in the first place?

What's ironic is that in most cities the bottlenecks are the bridges. In Vancouver, the bridges are often quite wide and built to highway standards and then, strangely, devolve into surface roads once you get to the ground.

I agree with the link between major roads themselves need to be improved.

Luckily two ofthe examples you used are going tobe replaced with interchanges in the near future.

72nd on the 99 looks to have a finalized design now (recent press release from the province), finally replacing that traffic light with an interchange.

On the SFPR it has also recently been announced that an interchange is being designed for the 91 connector (which I agree, should have been built in the first place).

swimmer_spe · #**5162** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 12:59 AM**

The problem isn't just Vancouver, it is BC on a whole.

I lived in Victoria and Highway 1 and the Inland Island Highway all should have exits, not lights!!

Corndogger · #**5163** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 1:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Another video from me. Continuing on Alberta's Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A) from Cochrane, through Ghost Lake and the Stoney FN to the Junction of Highway 1X. The highway is substandard, but the scenery is quite beautiful.

The guy in front of you for about the first four minutes of the video seemed to be having a lot of trouble staying on the road. He/she kept drifting toward the shoulder. The guy in the sports car around 2:20...what a frickin' idiot! He was just as stupid as the motorcyclists that came a bit later.

Great scenery. Keep up the good work with the videos.

Corndogger · #**5164** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I agree with the link between major roads themselves need to be improved.

Luckily two ofthe examples you used are going tobe replaced with interchanges in the near future.

72nd on the 99 looks to have a finalized design now (recent press release from the province), finally replacing that traffic light with an interchange.

On the SFPR it has also recently been announced that an interchange is being designed for the 91 connector (which I agree, should have been built in the first place).

I might be wrong but are not all of the roads you mentioned being built by the province? Vancouver city council's hatred of cars is so strong that they're blind to the need for a good road system. After losing that transit referendum you guys had last year you'd think they'd wake up and realize that people still want to drive. That's not going to change until something a lot better comes along.

As for not designing roads properly in the first place that seems to be a Canadian political tradition. Always cheap out to look good to the people who are opposed to any capital spending (other than hospitals and possibly schools) and let a future administration deal with the fixes.

Metro-One · #**5165** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 1:22 AM**

Well, once Canada has a national highway program like the US, then we can have a much better freeway network.

BC got the shit end of the stick when it comes to topography for building major roads.

Countless mountain ranges, large rivers, large deltas, canyons, jagged fiords, etc... Looking up to and beyond 10X the cost per km for highway in many parts of BC, and major bridges that allow major ships to pass underneath in a seismic zone are not cheap either.

GreaterMontréal · #**5166** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 1:30 AM**

A-85, the only controlled access highway link between the Maritime provinces and the rest of the country

• Video Link

Corndogger · #**5167** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 1:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Well, once Canada has a national highway program like the US, then we can have a much better freeway network.

BC got the shit end of the stick when it comes to topography for building major roads.

Countless mountain ranges, large rivers, large deltas, canyons, jagged fiords, etc... Looking up to and beyond 10X the cost per km for highway in many parts of BC, and major bridges that allow major ships to pass underneath in a seismic zone are not cheap either.

It's an embarrassment that we don't have a national highway program like other countries do. In the meantime the feds should be giving BC extra funding to help get certain projects built that have economic significance for the nation.

Loco101 · #**5168** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corndogger

It's an embarrassment that we don't have a national highway program like other countries do. In the meantime the feds should be giving BC extra funding to help get certain projects built that have economic significance for the nation.

Same goes for Northern Ontario.

Corndogger · #**5169** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

Same goes for Northern Ontario.

Once you guys break free from your southern oppressors we can help you out.

srperrycgy · #**5170** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:17 AM**

What about a 2+1 (Google it) road for N. Ontario? A fully divided highway would prohibitively expensive. An alternating passing lane might work and be cheaper while letting traffic pass. Just a thought.

ssiguy · #**5171** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:20 AM**

I disagree. Why should BC get any more {or less} than any other province?

jmt18325 · #**5172** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:24 AM**

Building freeways where they aren't warranted is simply a waste of money. Canada doesn't have the population density to support it.

MalcolmTucker · #**5173** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:34 AM**

Provinces are free to spend their Building Canada Fund grants from the federal government on highways between cities.

Corndogger · #**5174** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

I disagree. Why should BC get any more {or less} than any other province?

Because the cost of building one mile of freeway is not the same everywhere. Are you saying you're okay with substandard national roads in BC?

Corndogger · #**5175** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Provinces are free to spend their Building Canada Fund grants from the federal government on highways between cities.

They're also free to spend those funds on other projects. We need a true national highway fund where money is allocated specifically for such projects. This would be a very easy political sale to the general public.

Corndogger · #**5176** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmt18325

Building freeways where they aren't warranted is simply a waste of money. Canada doesn't have the population density to support it.

We've had this debate before. You act as if goods being shipped across the country can magically fly over areas with crappy roads. We need a system of freeways connecting all major economic centers.

jmt18325 · #**5177** Posted **Jun 14, 2016, 2:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corndogger

We've had this debate before. You act as if goods being shipped across the country can magically fly over areas with crappy roads. We need a system of freeways connecting all major economic centers.

And I argue that air and rail is far better for shipping goods. We need highways where they make sense.