Quote:
Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue
You people worry too much.
When MTO builds something like this, especially for TCH, grade separation is always future-proofed, unlike the Prairies where it seems more like an afterthought.
For example, for Shabaqua 4 lanes, MTO’s plan shows approved intersections, but those can be closed or converted to interchange whenever warranted. In fact, the zoning map from Oliver Paypoonge shows the interchange locations.
|
There are interchanges future proofed into each stretch of the twinning between Nipigon and TBay. In the photo example the far intersection is the location of the future interchange while the near intersection will be eliminated and the road re-routed to connect with other side roads.
The future potential interchanges are at the Spruce River Road, McKenzie Station Road, Lakeshore Drive, Eldorado Beach Road, and Pass Lake on the completed western portion; the new Loon Lake entrance and Number 5 Road on the new construction (Pass Lake to Pearl); Superior Shores (eastern detail design) Ouimet Canyon and the eastern entrance of the Dorion Loop Road on the newly completed middle portion; Townline Road (middle detail design); eastern end of Highway 582 on the new construction (582 to Coughlin Road); Red Rock Road 9 and Highway 628 on the completed western portion; and the junction of Highway 11 by the Nipigon River Bridge.
All of the above information has come from the previous detailed designs and schematics for the various stages of the highway twinning. The MTO definitely has future plans for interchanges but I doubt I will see even half of them considered in my lifetime.
IMHO once the current two stages under construction are completed the speed limit should be raised to 100 kph with posted reduced speed between Dorion and the eastern connection of Highway 582, and again across the Black Sturgeon River between Coughlin Rd and Red Rock 9.
TCH to Kenora is happening at least. After the route from Nipigon to TBay is completed I would hope that the government of the day starts grade separating the Thunder Bay Expressway and twinning the highway out towards Oliver Paipoonge. The projects can happen (and are happening) concurrently.