Trans Canada Highway Twinning: Segments U/C

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Perhaps a toll bridge across Shuswap Lake would be the best way to do it? It would be quite an impressive high-level bridge for sure though!

I agree! Why not have a tolled FAST route, with the option of using the newly redesignated old Highway 1A (old highway 1) Through Salmon Arm as the untolled, free alternative. Salmon Arm is such a vacation destination now, I don't think it will suffer if it loses some through traffic.

And on this note, I found this somewhat obscure Hwy 1 Project website on the BC MoTH website:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy1/index.htm

So, there does seem to be some meat to those "4-laning the whole tomalie" signs, but there is not a designated website like Gateway or the Okanagan Valley Corridor... etc.

[0773|=\]

Salmon Arm isn't the worst place to stop for travellers driving between Vancouver and Calgary. Build the new bypass, but make the two-lane TCH a 'Business Route' like they have along various US Interstates.

[Stingray2004]

Regarding a crossing of Shuswap Lake to by-pass Salmon Arm:

An original summary from 14 years ago:

SHUSWAP LAKE CROSSING STUDY [ DRAFT 1995 ]
MAK Engineering, Walter Dilger Consulting Engineers Ltd, Colder Associates Ltd.

The objective of this study was to investigate the technical and economic viability of a bridge crossing of the Salmon Arm of Shuswap Lake, as an alternative alignment for Trans-Canada Highway improvement. The study included a video camera survey of highway traffic, directed at a review of several key assumptions related to traffic data.

The present route of the Trans-Canada Highway makes an approximately 29 kilometre loop around the Salmon Ann of Shuswap Lake, passing directly through the urban area of the District of Salmon Arm [population 12,000]. Highway improvement options have for many years considered an upgrade of the existing alignment, and a proposed southerly bypass of the District of Salmon Arm. This study investigated a northerly bypass of the District of Salmon Ann, utilizing a 2 kilometre bridge across Shuswap Lake between Sunnybrae [Tappen] and Engineers Point [Canoe], and compared such an option with improvement through the urban area along the existing TCH comdor or around the community via a southerly bypass.

The concept of a bridge across Shuswap Lake had been considered previously, but rejected because of perceived problems associated with lake depth and engineering. Recent data indicating a much shallower lake bottom suggested that the northerly bypass concept should be revisited.

The study investigated the concept of a combined highway and railway bridge, reasoning that there was significant benefit to relocation of both transportation facilities out of the urbanized area and away from the waterfront.

The work included preliminary structural investigation of bridge options, and a preliminary geotechnical assessment of abutment and lake bed conditions.

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/kickinghorse..._mgmt_plan.pdf

And from another engineering study completed years later by Earth Tech:

• Two lane 100 km/h
bypass around Salmon Arm.
• Interchanges constructed at each
end to connect existing TCH.
• 1.7 km long crossing of Shuswap
Lake, two lanes with 2.0 m
shoulders and sidewalk on one side.

Conclusions:
1. The bypass is the preferred long term option as it
significantly reduces travel time and would reduce
truck traffic through Salmon Arm. However, the need
for a bypass is beyond the planning horizon for the
TCH corridor.

http://web.archive.org/web/200306201.../MikeBaker.pdf

[eternallyme]

Another issue is between Chase and Tappen - would it be better to go inland through Turtle Valley, or stick to the current alignment?

I'd change any design to require 4 lanes of traffic, with a design speed of 120 km/h in the rural sections as opposed to 100 km/h, except in the most mountainous areas and the national parks. Given the design through Sicamous, an urban-style freeway with a 90 km/h design speed (similar to in Golden) makes most sense, to avoid a second large bridge. That should also be the design in Revelstoke.

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Another issue is between Chase and Tappen - would it be better to go inland through Turtle Valley, or stick to the current alignment?

I'd change any design to require 4 lanes of traffic, with a design speed of 120 km/h in the rural sections as opposed to 100 km/h, except in the most mountainous areas and the national parks. Given the design through Sicamous, an urban-style freeway with a 90 km/h design speed (similar to in Golden) makes most sense, to avoid a second large bridge. That should also be the design in Revelstoke.

Remember, design speed and posted speed are two different things. The Golden section is actually a 100 km/hr design speed, even though the speed limit has been posted lower.

[craner]

Originally Posted by Mininari

I agree! Why not have a tolled FAST route, with the option of using the newly redesignated old Highway 1A (old highway 1) Through Salmon Arm as the untolled, free alternative. Salmon Arm is such a vacation destination now, I don't think it will suffer if it loses some through traffic.

And on this note, I found this somewhat obscure Hwy 1 Project website on the BC MoTH website:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy1/index.htm

So, there does seem to be some meat to those "4-laning the whole tomalie" signs, but there is not a designated website like Gateway or the Okanagan Valley Corridor... etc.

nice find

[eternallyme]

The section through Glacier National Park (and Revelstoke National Park? although that is short) is federal responsibility though...will they get involved as well?

[Mininari]

They have to, don't they? I thought that roadways in national parks were solely under federal jurisdiction.

[srperrycgy]

The Feds do have the responsibility, but it's not a priority, yet. It's taken more than 25 years to get the TCH twinned in Banff NP. So don't expect miracles from them.

[Dado]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Good start, but need a lot more work done in the Ottawa Valley. There is at least 100 km more to be twinned as soon as possible...

Bah... the less money we waste on this now the less surplus highway we'll have in the future to maintain.

They should definitely can this freewayifying business. Just make them twinned highways with at-grade crossings - fewer crumbling bridges to worry about when we won't have the resources to maintain all this distant rural infrastructure.

Anyway, let's see if the morons at the MTO can get the bicycle/pedestrian diversion right this time. So far they've managed to forget to put the restriction signs up at the entrance to the freeway each and every time it's been extended westwards. It'd be really nice if they actually told the trans-Canada cyclists where they should go, but that would be a real change of focus for the Ministry of Cars and Trucks and Occasionally Buses but Only Because We Have To.

[craner]

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by Dado

Bah... the less money we waste on this now the less surplus highway we'll have in the future to maintain.

They should definitely can this freewayifying business. Just make them twinned highways with at-grade crossings - fewer crumbling bridges to worry about when we won't have the resources to maintain all this distant rural infrastructure.

Anyway, let's see if the morons at the MTO can get the bicycle/pedestrian diversion right this time. So far they've managed to forget to put the restriction signs up at the entrance to the freeway each and every time it's been extended westwards. It'd be really nice if they actually told the trans-Canada cyclists where they should go, but that would be a real change of focus for the Ministry of Cars and Trucks and Occasionally Buses but Only Because We Have To.

Have you ever travelled that highway? It is not an empty 2-lane highway as you believe, but currently operating at or over capacity. Also, at each traffic light, waits can be up to 30 minutes and it is sometimes even backed up for miles. Keeping them at-grade will not solve that issue.

As for bicycle restrictions, due to the lack of alternate routes once you get farther west, eventually they will have to be permitted on the highway shoulder, which would need to be widened.

As for alternate travel modes, they would barely make a dent in traffic counts up there.

[waterloowarrior]

How about building 2+1 Roads for some of the northern Ontario routes, like they've been doing in Scandinavian countries.. they've been quite successful in improving safety (to motorway levels), allow for frequent passing lanes (and could allow RIRO property access), and are cheaper than full motorways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2%2B1_road



http://www.nra.ie/Publications/Downl...le,3509,en.PDF

edit: a couple of wikipedia thumbnails

[Mininari]

Email Reply from the MoTH regarding the "4-laning signage." Nearly 40km of 4-laning underway, or about to start! Not too bad... apparently more on the way.


Thank you for your enquiry of Oct 5th, 2009 regarding the signage for the TransCanada 4-laning from Kamloops to the Alberta border.

These signs have been placed along the TransCanada Corridor to highlight that the government is focussing efforts along this corridor.

Since 2001 the Ministry has invested over $325 million on upgrading the TransCanada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border.

An additional $350 million has been announced in new projects along this corridor. These projects are being cost shared with the Federal Government.

Projects include:

· 8.8 km of 4-laning from 10 Mile Hill to the Yoho National Park Boundary

· 3.8 km o f 4-laning from the Golden Hill to the West Portal, east of Golden

· 3.5 km of 4-laning by Donald Bridge including a new structure over the Columbia River, approx. 26 km west of Golden.

· 2.2 km of 4-laning by Clanwilliam Bridge, approximately 11 km west of Revelstoke

· 4.3 km of 4-laning between Hilltop and Balmoral, approx. 7 km east of Sorrento

· 6.1 km of 4-laning between Pritchard and Hoffman's Bluff, approx. 42 km east of Kamloops

· 10.5 km of 4-laning between Monte Creek and Pritchard, approx. 30 km east of Kamloops

We have been actively working on the engineering, environmental approvals, and property acquisition for these projects. The 10 Mile Hill to Yoho National Park Boundary and the Golden Hill east projects are currently under construction. Construction for Hilltop to Balmoral project will begin later this year while construction for the other projects will begin to be rolled out in 2010.

Further information on projects can be found on our web site at http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/projects.htm

Please feel free to contact myself should you require any additional information.

[AirGuitarChampion]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

How about building 2+1 Roads for some of the northern Ontario routes, like they've been doing in Scandinavian countries.. they've been quite successful in improving safety (to motorway levels), allow for frequent passing lanes (and could allow RIRO property access), and are cheaper than full motorways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2%2B1_road



http://www.nra.ie/Publications/Downl...le,3509,en.PDF

These aren't too bad actually. Donald to Roger's Pass is like this and I think it works well. There are a few sections like this from the Roger's Pass to Revelstoke, and a few sections around Kenora I believe starting to get built.

The biggest drawback is when you get a long line built up behind a motorhome / minivan with trailer (the worst offenders of highway traffic clogs) and finally get to the double lane section, everyone guns it to pass (significant speeding be damned) and there's a huge rush to edge the slowpoke out just before it goes back to one lane. Then you have people jamming on the brakes who don't think they can make it, holding up and compacting the rest of the passers, or you have people passing well into the single lane. Or you have one motorhome going 2km/hr faster than the other and wasting the whole passing lane.

[waterloowarrior]

Originally Posted by AirGuitarChampion

These aren't too bad actually. Donald to Roger's Pass is like this and I think it works well. There are a few sections like this from the Roger's Pass to Revelstoke, and a few sections around Kenora I believe starting to get built.

The biggest drawback is when you get a long line built up behind a motorhome / minivan with trailer (the worst offenders of highway traffic clogs) and finally get to the double lane section, everyone guns it to pass (significant speeding be damned) and there's a huge rush to edge the slowpoke out just before it goes back to one lane. Then you have people jamming on the brakes who don't think they can make it, holding up and compacting the rest of the passers, or you have people passing well into the single lane. Or you have one motorhome going 2km/hr faster than the other and wasting the whole passing lane.

Apparently this is much less of a problem in Sweden
http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/hu...hapter_two.cfm

One of the team's most impressive observations involved watching Swedish drivers approaching the end of a passing lane. During a 20-minute observation interval, no driver speeded up to pass a slower vehicle before the passing lane ended. Passing slower vehicles in advance of lane drops is common driver behavior in the United States. The expectations induced by the 2+1 design reassured drivers through the use of effective signing that another passing opportunity would occur shortly. Hence, drivers did not feel a need to pass immediately and so did not incur risk by trying to pass just before the passing lane ended.

It sounds like the passing lanes are pretty frequent over there as well, the extra lane switches every 1.25 KM for Sweden and 2 KM for the Ireland example.

[blake10]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Apparently this is much less of a problem in Sweden
http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/hu...hapter_two.cfm
It sounds like the passing lanes are pretty frequent over there as well, the extra lane switches every 1.25 KM for Sweden and 2 KM for the Ireland example.

Sweden is not Canada. I drive the route from Winnipeg to Kenora all the time and some of the stuff I see amazes me. As you pass into Manitoba and approach the divided highway section from the East, despite being signposted, I've often seen drivers who can't wait the extra 2 minutes and must find a way to pass other vehicles 1 or 2 kms before the divided highway begins. These are cars with Manitoba plates so it's not as if they're unfamiliar with the highway. The road needs to be finished properly (twined).

[waterloowarrior]

Originally Posted by blake10

Sweden is not Canada. I drive the route from Winnipeg to Kenora all the time and some of the stuff I see amazes me. As you pass into Manitoba and approach the divided highway section from the East, despite being signposted, I've often seen drivers who can't wait the extra 2 minutes and must find a way to pass other vehicles 1 or 2 kms before the divided highway begins. These are cars with Manitoba plates so it's not as if they're unfamiliar with the highway. The road needs to be finished properly (twined).

Well I guess if they used this 2+1 style the passing lanes would be quite frequent over a long distance. You are right though, Canadian drivers can be quite stupid on these long distance non-freeway routes (taking huge risks to save 2 minutes).

I think this would be great for the Highway 7 TCH between Peterborough and Carleton Place. Once you get west of Perth (AADT's only 3000-5000) the passing lanes are quite infrequent so you get that dangerous rush to pass situation, and the road is curvy so it's hard for cars to pass on the 2 lane parts. When you do have the passing lanes there's no barrier between you and oncoming traffic (which can also use that lane for passing if they yield..). To me these seem much better than "Super-2's" which still have the risk of head-on collisions

[AirGuitarChampion]

Originally Posted by blake10

Sweden is not Canada. I drive the route from Winnipeg to Kenora all the time and some of the stuff I see amazes me. As you pass into Manitoba and approach the divided highway section from the East, despite being signposted, I've often seen drivers who can't wait the extra 2 minutes and must find a way to pass other vehicles 1 or 2 kms before the divided highway begins. These are cars with Manitoba plates so it's not as if they're unfamiliar with the highway. The road needs to be finished properly (twined).

Hmmm having a very brief look at their fines no wonder no one speeds up in Sweden too much!

http://www.roadmc.com/default.asp?pubid=15

I mean 1-10km/hr over and you're already at $250 Cdn equivalent!

Shorter regular intervals like 1.25km mentioned earlier might help curb the rush. Alot of our passing lanes have 2km warnings, but nothing when just coming out of a passing lane saying when the next passing lane is if it's more than 2km, then everyone's chomping at the bit to blow by.

2 minutes is a lot if you're driving an 8hr day. I mean say you do 99km/hr in a 90 zone (assuming no other factors like construction around), you'd be reasonably guaranteed not to be pulled over and shorten a Calgary to Vancouver trip for example by something like an hour!

I do get what you're saying, there are freaks who drive moronically fast then you lumber by them as they fill up for gas or get stuck behind a camper just 3km up the road - their risk has earned them nothing. But a good 10% over everything and not stopping for anything seems the fastest overall.

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

How about building 2+1 Roads for some of the northern Ontario routes, like they've been doing in Scandinavian countries.. they've been quite successful in improving safety (to motorway levels), allow for frequent passing lanes (and could allow RIRO property access), and are cheaper than full motorways.

I agree. I've driven on similar highways down in South Africa, and often they have access control (grade-seperations) along much of the route, with overpasses that could accommodate an additional carriageway when traffic levels ever warranted it in the future. They're national routes, but they don't need the overbuild like certain Interstates in sparsely populated areas.

Just take the third lane and alternate it every 5 kms or so, and it would do wonders to cut down on drive time.

Maybe if they reserved some ROW along the route for a future HSR it would gain more public support...?