Ontario Highways

[megadude]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

It's funny, I actually almost always choose to cross the border in Detroit. Driving the 402 to Sarnia is pretty rare for me. I filmed this on a work trip I made to Sarnia earlier this year.

Windsor crossing is definitely more interesting. Has more to see on the approach and while crossing.

But now I'm a Sarnia crossing guy because I went to school in Windsor and I've seen enough. Actually lived in residence beside the Ambassador and was looking out my window when they shut it down for 9/11. A miles long convoy of idle big rigs.

Also, in 2007 four of us were coming back from a booze filled trip to Ann Arbor to watch UM play at the Big House. However, I was the DD so I had three beers between 2pm and midnight. The other guys just reeked of an assortment of beer and liquor. As soon as we got to the booth and rolled down the window, the border guy said I can see and smell that you guys were drinking (two guys in the back completely passed out). I said yup, but I've only had three Coors Lights in 10 hours. Then he says, very smugly," okay, next time, DON'T DRINK AT ALL. You can go now". Needless to say I felt like punching dude right in the face.

Never had a problem on the Blue Water. I did get pulled over by US Customs once because I was crossing by myself at midnight with a bunch of stuff in a rented car. I explained I was going to CO, UT, AZ and NM and meeting someone there and also stopping off at points on the way to see places I've never seen.

The US customs guy started talking to me about fishing after he saw my tackle and also noticed the pepper spray I kept with it. He rightfully assumed it was for coyotes or bears when fishing a river. He said he also brings protection when fishing streams in Northern Michigan. His gun! On a related note, this also happened in Lewiston when customs guy saw my tackle. He proceeded to show me pics on his phone of some monster smallmouth bass he caught on Erie a few days before.

The other customs guy then quizzed me about the four games I was going to attend while down there. Asking me who the QBs are for Colorado and their opponent Oregon, both of whom I correctly named! Though he probably didn't google it. Just wanted to hear me answer the question quickly.

So ya, also had more positive experience on Blue Water than Ambassador. And have never waited a long time there either, but that's also due to the times of the day or year I was arriving.

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by megadude

Windsor crossing is definitely more interesting. Has more to see on the approach and while crossing.

But now I'm a Sarnia crossing guy because I went to school in Windsor and I've seen enough. Actually lived in residence beside the Ambassador and was looking out my window when they shut it down for 9/11. A miles long convoy of idle big rigs.

Also, in 2007 four of us were coming back from a booze filled trip to Ann Arbor to watch UM play at the Big House. However, I was the DD so I had three beers between 2pm and midnight. The other guys just reeked of an assortment of beer and liquor. As soon as we got to the booth and rolled down the window, the border guy said I can see and smell that you guys were drinking (two guys in the back completely passed out). I said yup, but I've only had three Coors Lights in 10 hours. Then he says, very smugly," okay, next time, DON'T DRINK AT ALL. You can go now". Needless to say I felt like punching dude right in the face.

Never had a problem on the Blue Water. I did get pulled over by US Customs once because I was crossing by myself at midnight with a bunch of stuff in a rented car. I explained I was going to CO, UT, AZ and NM and meeting someone there and also stopping off at points on the way to see places I've never seen.

The US customs guy started talking to me about fishing after he saw my tackle and also noticed the pepper spray I kept with it. He rightfully assumed it was for coyotes or bears when fishing a river. He said he also brings protection when fishing streams in Northern Michigan. His gun! On a related note, this also happened in Lewiston when customs guy saw my tackle. He proceeded to show me pics on his phone of some monster smallmouth bass he caught on Erie a few days before.

The other customs guy then quizzed me about the four games I was going to attend while down there. Asking me who the QBs are for Colorado and their opponent Oregon, both of whom I correctly named! Though he probably didn't google it. Just wanted to hear me answer the question quickly.

So ya, also had more positive experience on Blue Water than Ambassador. And have never waited a long time there either, but that's also due to the times of the day or year I was arriving.

I recall coming back from a trip to a Detroit Lions game a few years ago, crossing at the Ambassador Bridge. I wasn't driving, but our third passenger had drunk himself into a temporary alcohol induced coma and was passed out in the back seat. The Canadian customs agent, took a look at us, and asked "Football game?" We replied "yup" and were permitted back through.

I also mix it up and take different routes back when on long drives. If traffic permits, I'll often take the 403/QEW back to Toronto from southwestern Ontario instead of the 401, and I'll typically take Hwy 7 at least one of the ways between the GTA and Ottawa/Montreal instead of just taking the 401 all the time.

Nice reference to the "Stig" in your video. The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime lives up to the legacy created by Top Gear.

[megadude]

Originally Posted by sonysnob

I recall coming back from a trip to a Detroit Lions game a few years ago, crossing at the Ambassador Bridge. I wasn't driving, but our third passenger had drunk himself into a temporary alcohol induced coma and was passed out in the back seat. The Canadian customs agent, took a look at us, and asked "Football game?" We replied "yup" and were permitted back through.

I also mix it up and take different routes back when on long drives. If traffic permits, I'll often take the 403/QEW back to Toronto from southwestern Ontario instead of the 401, and I'll typically take Hwy 7 at least one of the ways between the GTA and Ottawa/Montreal instead of just taking the 401 all the time.

Nice reference to the "Stig" in your video. The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime lives up to the legacy created by Top Gear.

By the way, what program are you using for your editing? I'm impressed by the road signs and little pieces of trivia you put in the few videos I've seen from you.

I use After Effects. But it's mostly for sports, go karting and fishing videos I make. This was the first driving video I made.

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by megadude

By the way, what program are you using for your editing? I'm impressed by the road signs and little pieces of trivia you put in the few videos I've seen from you.

I use After Effects. But it's mostly for sports, go karting and fishing videos I make. This was the first driving video I made.

I use Sony Vegas to put the videos together. The signs are cropped out from photos taken with another camera.

I too prefer the QEW/403 combination, particularly at night. I love the drive through Hamilton.

[megadude]

Anyone else like me? Taking different bridges or highways based on how you feel that day as opposed to just the most efficient route?

I've only take Hwy 2 as far as Bowmanville. If I were retired and had all the time in the world had to go to Cornwall, I'd consider taking 2 all the way.

If I had to go from the Kawarthas to Ottawa, I would definitely take Hwy 7 instead of 401 since I've never been on that stretch of 7.

When I drive from the city up to the cottage on the east side of G Bay, I alternate between two routes. 400 straight up or 427/Zenway/Hwy 27.

On way back from cottage to Oakville, when I get on the 401, I equally take 427/QEW and 403. Though on occasion I'll take 401 and exit Trafalgar and head down just to change it up. Definitely longer but it's something different. And only at non peak times because I don't wanna deal with Toronto Outlet traffic!

Or if I'm going to Markham, which I do often, I switch up between QEW/427/401 or Dundas/403/401 or QEW/Gardiner/DVP/404. Though the latter is often jammed up so that's only early morn or really late.

Sometimes when I'm heading to Niagara, instead of crossing the Burlington Skyway, I'll get off on Eastport and do that winding road and cross over the lift bridge and get back on the QEW afterwards. Every time I've been on Eastport I'm practically the only car so it feels nice to have the road to myself. This is at off peak times of course.

Oh and when driving to Florida, two different times we took I-75 down and took I-95 back.

[megadude]

Here's a video I made early in the year. At the beginning is Niagara bound over the Skyway. And at 1:33 I'm Toronto bound but took Eastport and crossed the lift bridge before getting back on the QEW. Both routes are interesting in their own right.


• Video Link

[Dengler Avenue]

Occasionally, when I head back from GTA to KW, instead of going down 401, I use 403 then 24 (so via Brantford). Traffic’s somewhat heavy during rush hour between Brantford and Hamilton nowadays, where the highway only has 4 lanes.

During rush hours when 401’s helplessly congested, I’ll also use 7 via Georgetown, Acton, Rockwood and Guelph. By the time I get to Guelph, it’s late enough that traffic clears on 7 between Guelph and Kitchener. Slow drivers between Acton and Rockeood are frustrating though.

Going between London and Waterloo, I’ve also done 4 then 7/8 instead of the 401. It was the first Saturday in January 2017. I got my car in January 2016 and the first Saturday after I got it, I drove to Stratford to check it out. Basically, on the first Saturday of January 2017, I stopped by Stratford to “celebrate the anniversary of the adventure”.

As for between GTA and Ottawa, every now and then I use the 7 as well, although 6 times out of 7 I was using it to go back to GTA. Again, I really don’t like the slow drivers on that road. Also, during summer weekends, one can see cops hiding here and there.

[megadude]

That's another one I forgot about. Take 403 or 401? I too prefer the 403/QEW because at least you get to drive up/down the "mountain". Get some Escarpment views and also cross over Hamilton Harbour.

[megadude]

7 from Georgetown to Guelph is indeed a nice peaceful alternative to 401, at least when I've been on it. No idea if it gets a rush hour as I've only done that on weekends.

I associate a lot of routes with the water it passes by because I'm an avid angler. But also just geographic features in general. Georgetown/Norval is the Credit, Acton is Fairy Lake, Rockwood is the Eramosa at the conservation area, Guelph is the confluence of the Eramosa and Nith or Grand Rivers or whatever it is there.

Bonus points to any route that passes through the Escarpment or is at least at the foot of it.

[Dengler Avenue]

Is that a good idea? I propose that it be a 4-lane extension of (upgraded) Townline Road (Road 33) <Highway 401 Exit 286>, curving west along the eastern and southern boundary of Cambridge, and meeting the present alignment of Highway 24 south of Brant County Road 144. From there on, Highway 24 will also be widened to 4 or 5 lanes until Brant County Road 5. All intersections except the one with Brant County Road 144 and Highway 24 will be roundabouts. As for that one, it will be an "elliptical roundabout".

I haven't thought about how 24 will bypass Brantford though.

I'm asking because I visited Ainslie (Downtown Cambridge) every now and then. Seeing big trucks roaming through those small roads in Cambridge scares me.

Ps: As a result, Highway 24 will then be extended to Highway 401, and Townline Road south of 401 will be under provincial jurisdiction.

[Dengler Avenue]

https://business.financialpost.com/i...hway-407-stake

Then I realized we have a PC government right now so it’s unrealistic to expect the government to buy those stocks.
The article was from 4 days ago, by the way.

[vid]

All the big American companies have been using their tax breaks to buy back stocks, I don't see why we can't follow suit here.

[Dengler Avenue]

https://twitter.com/opp_gtatraffic/s...669497346?s=21

[Dengler Avenue]

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com...eID=1000002239

[sonysnob]

Video of the 401 between Western Toronto and Kitchener:

• Video Link

[Dengler Avenue]

Wow I'm actually disillusioned now.

For the longest time, I thought the constructions in Milton were to add HOV lanes.

[JHikka]

That car at 8:23

I agree about the section through Milton. It's dreadful going in both directions.

[sonysnob]

A widening project is scheduled on the 401 from the Credit River to Milton, but the work that is ongoing currently is just a bridge replacement project. The bridge replacement project is scheduled to be complete this fall. The widening project from the Credit River to Milton could potentially start as early as next year.

We have a new government with different priorities now then we did when the initiated the design of the Credit River to Milton project, but I can't see the Tories delaying a needed highway infrastructure project in the 905 for any reason.

[Dengler Avenue]

Yea I’m still waiting for the new highway program to come out.

It’s good to see where the priorities are.

Ps: Note my profile picture.

[Dengler Avenue]

An accident just closed down Highway 400 S near Mctier at exit 189. Detour via Lake Joseph Road (Old Highway 69/169), Muskoka Road 38, and Ragged Rapids Road.

Ps: Did anyone else notice that there’s actually no reasonably local EDR for 400 between exit 162 and exit 177? Sometimes I really wonder if pedestrians and cyclists are allowed on the highway for those 15 km. I wonder the same thing for the twinned section of 69 as well.