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[SignGeek101]

In this thread, I want to give a list about projects happening west of Ontario, and up north. I realize there are already threads for the individual provinces but to be honest, there's not enough happening there to warrant their own threads. Especially Manitoba, where there is currently one project in terms of highway expansion that I'm aware of. This will be a bit of a long list, but it will provide some insight about significant projects happening out west, and some projects to look forward to in regards to their completion.

I will update this list when these projects are complete with GREEN lettering, and list new projects along the way.

British Columbia

Highway 1 Twinning: The largest and most costly investment in roads probably goes to the Highway 1 Twinning project. BC intends to twin the entire Trans-Canada highway from Kamloops to the Alberta border. A section in Pritchard BC opened last year with continuing construction east of there (now Complete). A new bridge and twinning also opened east of Malawka last month. There are many 'planned' projects in the works like Chase and Chase Creek, Donald and others. More info: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/highway1-kamloops-alberta

BC 97 (Caribou Connector) Twinning: This project is similar to the Highway 1 twinning, but involves BC 97. The MOT wants to twin 447 km of BC 97, almost half of it already done. Phase 1 has already been completed. More info here: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/cariboo-connector/phase-2

Alberta

Anthony Henday Drive: The largest current project in Alberta I can think of is the Anthony Henday Ring Road Project. Also known as AB 216, this road, once complete, will circle Edmonton. Its north eastern part is nearly complete, with a completion date of 1 October 2016. This will be Canada's first complete freeway ring road. More: http://www.northeastanthonyhenday.com/ COMPLETE, 1 October 2016

Stoney Trail: This is similar to Anthony Henday Drive, in that it will be a ring road. This ring road will be located in Calgary however. Most of it was complete long ago, but the south western part was never done. PM Justin Trudeau announced that this part of the ring road will be constructed. Construction is to start this fall. More info here: http://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=43092EDBA302B-E31C-99B2-5D8D9FC44F6FCB17

 Macleod Trail / 162 Avenue S Interchange: I put the Calgary DDI project on here because it's kind of a big deal. It was started last April, and will be done in fall 2017. This will be Canada's first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). More here: http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Pages/Road-projects/Macleod-Trail-162-Avenue-S-Interchange.aspx COMPLETE Oct 2017

Google: https://goo.gl/maps/LNtpEWbTBew

Saskatchewan

Regina Bypass: This project is by far the largest and most significant in the province. It involves building a completely new expressway around the city of Regina. NIMBY's did not like the fact it was going to be built closer to the city, but in my mind, that's how you build a bypass. By making it closer to the city, local residents can also use it. See Winnipeg for how not to built a bypass. I should also mention that this project will also include a DDI located on the east side of Regina (will open 2018 or 2019). Info: http://www.reginabypass.ca/

Cameras to check in on the construction: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/regina-bypass/regina-bypass-cameras

Other: I won't list the other individual projects, but here are a few twinning projects underway (SK 7 west of Saskatoon, and SK 16 (Yellowhead) east of Saskatoon(COMPLETE)). http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/majorprojects/

Manitoba

MB 101/59 Interchange: I more minor project in the grand scheme list here, but the only one currently in Manitoba. A three-level stack interchange being constructed right now. It will connect 101 together, making it expressway along the northern sector. It will be Manitoba's first three-level stack. Google: https://goo.gl/maps/Rtb3ysCGSzN2
I couldn't find a website, but skip to 4:58 in this video for an update:

[7/8]

Thanks for posting this, there's a fair number of projects here!

Those BC twinning projects are certainly ambitious, but it's good to know that one of the main highways connecting BC and Alberta is being improved.

It's also interesting that Alberta will beat Ontario and Quebec for the first ring-road freeway. Of course, Toronto being on Lake Ontario is a big factor, but still.

The DDI's are also exciting. I wish I knew about the one in Springfield, MO when I drove through there last year!

I might get to see the MB 101/59 interchange construction in January. I think the concrete toboggan race will be held at Springhill Winter Park.

[AsphaltPlanet]

It's too bad they aren't doing more with the Perimeter Highway.  The Perimeter Highway definitely could use some pretty significant upgrades.

[SignGeek101]

It's too bad they aren't doing more with the Perimeter Highway.  The Perimeter Highway definitely could use some pretty significant upgrades.

Tell me about it... 

The 101/59 interchange currently being done is on the Perimeter, but it's the northern leg which has less traffic on it. That location has an AADT of 8800 or so. However, finishing that will finally make the entire ring road twinned. I guess that is a start? 

The south side (MB 100) is much worse. There are four traffic lights there that shouldn't be there. AADT's are around 20 000 in that sector, much of it being truck traffic (since it is the "official" Trans Canada bypass around the city). Although there has been a lot of talk to fix it from all political stripes, I doubt it will happen in the next 15 years. Here's some of that "talk" that may or may not happen. Remember, these articles were released during an election, so keep that in mind 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-perimeter-highway-upgrades-1.3322423

And other projects close by:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/st-norbert-bypass-manitoba-1.3358771
https://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/hpd/openhouse/pdf/headingley_en.pdf

If anything comes up though, I'll be happy to share if anyone's interested.

[Stephane Dumas]

Alberta

Anthony Henday Drive: The largest current project in Alberta I can think of is the Anthony Henday Ring Road Project. Also known as AB 216, this road, once complete, will circle Edmonton. Its north eastern part is nearly complete, with a completion date of 1 October 2016. This will be Canada's first complete freeway ring road. More: http://www.northeastanthonyhenday.com/

Stoney Trail: This is similar to Anthony Henday Drive, in that it will be a ring road. This ring road will be located in Calgary however. Most of it was complete long ago, but the south western part was never done. PM Justin Trudeau announced that this part of the ring road will be constructed. Construction is to start this fall. More info here: http://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=43092EDBA302B-E31C-99B2-5D8D9FC44F6FCB17

Macleod Trail / 162 Avenue S Interchange: I put the Calgary DDI project on here because it's kind of a big deal. It was started last April, and will be done in fall 2017. This will be Canada's first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). More here: http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Pages/Road-projects/Macleod-Trail-162-Avenue-S-Interchange.aspx

Google: https://goo.gl/maps/LNtpEWbTBew

Google streetview had a streetview from April 2016 showing the erection of the piles and embankements who'll support the beams.
http://gokml.net/maps-azteca.php#ll=50.906152,-114.061841&z=16&t=s
http://gokml.net/maps-azteca.php#ll=50.906152,-114.061841&z=16&t=s

I'm surprised to see they decided to go with a DDI. They originally planned a Parclo A4.

Another project is Calgary is TCH-1/Baufort Road NW interchange who'll be a SPUI.
http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Pages/Road-projects/Bowfort-Rd-Trans-Canada-Hwy-interchange.aspx

[dmuzika]

Saskatchewan

Regina Bypass: This project is by far the largest and most significant in the province. It involves building a completely new expressway around the city of Regina. NIMBY's did not like the fact it was going to be built closer to the city, but in my mind, that's how you build a bypass. By making it closer to the city, local residents can also use it. See Winnipeg for how not to built a bypass. I should also mention that this project will also include a DDI located on the east side of Regina (will open 2018 or 2019). Info: http://www.reginabypass.ca/

Cameras to check in on the construction: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/regina-bypass/regina-bypass-cameras

Do you know if the bypass is going to be designated as TCH 1 (or SK 11) or follow Alberta and Manitoba and designate it will 3 digit number?  Could the bypass become SK 401?

I'm surprised to see they decided to go with a DDI. They originally planned a Parclo A4.

I think the proximity to the Hwy 22X (future Stoney Trail) interchange to the south probably affected the final design.

[SignGeek101]

Saskatchewan

Regina Bypass: This project is by far the largest and most significant in the province. It involves building a completely new expressway around the city of Regina. NIMBY's did not like the fact it was going to be built closer to the city, but in my mind, that's how you build a bypass. By making it closer to the city, local residents can also use it. See Winnipeg for how not to built a bypass. I should also mention that this project will also include a DDI located on the east side of Regina (will open 2018 or 2019). Info: http://www.reginabypass.ca/

Cameras to check in on the construction: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/transportation/regina-bypass/regina-bypass-cameras

Do you know if the bypass is going to be designated as TCH 1 (or SK 11) or follow Alberta and Manitoba and designate it will 3 digit number?  Could the bypass become SK 401?

Not sure, but I doubt they'll reroute TCH to go onto the new bypass (even though I think that would be a great idea). They could make the current alignment SK 1A or something.

They may not have a number assigned to it at all.

Another project is Calgary is TCH-1/Baufort Road NW interchange who'll be a SPUI.
http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation/TI/Pages/Road-projects/Bowfort-Rd-Trans-Canada-Hwy-interchange.aspx

I've heard about this one too. It would technically extend the freeway section of the Trans Canada further east.

[AsphaltPlanet]

Are there any plans to do anything with the northern end of Circle Drive in Saskatoon?  That tie in with SK-11/16 at the north end of town really isn't very desirable.  It doesn't look like something that can be fixed easily either.

[oscar]

Saskatchewan

Regina Bypass: This project is by far the largest and most significant in the province. It involves building a completely new expressway around the city of Regina. NIMBY's did not like the fact it was going to be built closer to the city, but in my mind, that's how you build a bypass. By making it closer to the city, local residents can also use it. See Winnipeg for how not to built a bypass. I should also mention that this project will also include a DDI located on the east side of Regina (will open 2018 or 2019). Info: http://www.reginabypass.ca/

Do you know if the bypass is going to be designated as TCH 1 (or SK 11) or follow Alberta and Manitoba and designate it will 3 digit number?  Could the bypass become SK 401?

Not sure, but I doubt they'll reroute TCH to go onto the new bypass (even though I think that would be a great idea). They could make the current alignment SK 1A or something.

They may not have a number assigned to it at all.

Since part of the reason for the bypass is to pull through traffic off congested Victoria Ave., it would make sense to move the TCH designation to the bypass.

I noticed when I visited Regina last month that SK 11 is multiplexed, along with SK 6, along TCH 1 to the southern TCH/SK 6 junction. This might be a recent change. If the TCH were moved to the bypass, SK 11 could be extended to absorb all of the bypassed part of existing TCH 1, with the Victoria Ave. segment left unnumbered.

Moose Jaw has what looks like remnant signage for an Alternate TCH 1 (but no such signage at the exit from the TCH to the Manitoba Ave. Expressway). I don't know if Moose Jaw's Alt TCH 1 is officially part of the provincial highway system. If Victoria Ave. in Regina east of Ring Rd. gets the same treatment, its Alt TCH 1 designation might be short-lived.

[SignGeek101]

Are there any plans to do anything with the northern end of Circle Drive in Saskatoon?  That tie in with SK-11/16 at the north end of town really isn't very desirable.  It doesn't look like something that can be fixed easily either.

Not that I know of. Only things near Saskatoon going on would be the SK 7 twinning to the west, and the TC 16 twinning in the east. The southwestern part of Circle Drive was recently built I recall, so I doubt they'll do anything in the north.

[dmuzika]

Since part of the reason for the bypass is to pull through traffic off congested Victoria Ave., it would make sense to move the TCH designation to the bypass.

I noticed when I visited Regina last month that SK 11 is multiplexed, along with SK 6, along TCH 1 to the southern TCH/SK 6 junction. This might be a recent change. If the TCH were moved to the bypass, SK 11 could be extended to absorb all of the bypassed part of existing TCH 1, with the Victoria Ave. segment left unnumbered.

Moose Jaw has what looks like remnant signage for an Alternate TCH 1 (but no such signage at the exit from the TCH to the Manitoba Ave. Expressway). I don't know if Moose Jaw's Alt TCH 1 is officially part of the provincial highway system.

I think it's unofficial.  According Exploring Old Highway No. 1 West: Canada's Route 66 by J. Clark Saunders, prior to the 1950's when the present bypass was constructed, Hwy 1 used to follow Athabasca Street, Main Street, and Caribou Street through Moose Jaw, heading west on now-Hwy 735.  The overhead signage looks fairly new as Saskatchewan used to use a maple leaf cutout as opposed to a full TCH shield.  Considering that the Manitoba Street Expressway is a superior route to connect with downtown Moose Jaw from TCH 1 east, it seems the overhead signage for TCH 1 ALTERNATE along a minor Athabasca St seems unnecessary.

As for Regina, I'm not expecting a major change.  There's remnant signage for TCH 1 along Victoria Avenue and Albert Street through downtown Regina, so even if TCH 1 follows the new bypass, signage will probably still remain.  Saskatchewan isn't the best at removing remnant signage in urban areas or using the "TO" tab - in some ways it's sloppy but in other ways it provides a great glimpse into former alignments.

[oscar]

Saskatchewan isn't the best at removing remnant signage in urban areas or using the "TO" tab - in some ways it's sloppy but in other ways it provides a great glimpse into former alignments.

My impression is that in Saskatchewan "TO" banners are used, fairly consistently, for multiplexes (at least implied). For example, part of TCH 1 through Regina is also "TO" SK 6, where the lesser route shares pavement with the major route.

[dmuzika]

My impression is that in Saskatchewan "TO" banners are used, fairly consistently, for multiplexes (at least implied). For example, part of TCH 1 through Regina is also "TO" SK 6, where the lesser route shares pavement with the major route.

Fair enough.  I was referring to some of the former alignments in some of the urban areas; for example, in downtown Regina at Victoria Avenue and Albert Street, Hwys 1, 6, and 11 are signed as if they were actually routed through downtown, with no "TO" or "Business Route" tabs.  Similar to some of the historical routes in downtown Saskatoon (Idylwyld Drive).

[dmuzika]

Another one to add to the list, Saskatoon is building the North Commuter Parkway which a new bridge across the South Saskatchewan River located north of the Circle Drive bridge, connecting Marquis Drive and McOrmond Drive, creating an arterial grade NE loop outside of Circle Drive; see https://www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/major-projects/current-projects/north-commuter-parkway-traffic-bridge-replacement-project.

The plans are still in place for the province to build Perimeter Freeway further out from the North Commuter Parkway; see http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/Saskatoon_Freeway.

[Stephane Dumas]

I saw this time-lapse video showing the erections of girders on MacLeod/162 Avenue.

[dmuzika]

The province also announced construction of the Highway 43X Bypass, a NW bypass around Grande Prairie, http://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=41654A6BDB79A-B82F-309C-1F8462FDE1F0C9D8.  Presently, Hwy 43X is a short divided highway that extends west for 4 km from the Highway 43/2 interchange.  Maps can be viewed at http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_3_West/Hwy_43/Location_Plan_43X.pdf and http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_3_West/Hwy_43/Plan_43X.pdf.

ROW exists to extend the bypass south to Hwy 40 (known as Hwy 40X), but this segment has not been funded.

The present Hwy 43 Bypass (as known as 106 Street & 116 Avenue) bypasses downtown Grande Prairie, but is an arterial roadway with a lot of suburban development and no longer functions as a true highway bypass.  Once Hwy 43X is complete, it will be transferred to the City of Grande Prairie; http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2016/06/28/city-to-take-over-hwy-43-bypass-from-province.  While not explicitly stated, I'm suspecting this indicates that once complete, Hwy 43X will signed as Hwy 43.

[SignGeek101]

Canada's first freeway ring road has opened! 

The final leg of Anthony Henday Drive (AB 216), in Edmonton opened today.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2976809/in-photos-final-leg-of-anthony-henday-drive-opens-this-weekend/

It is quite the road. The whole ring road has close to 30 interchanges, wide shoulders and is completely free flowing. Winnipeg could learn a thing or two from Edmonton, though to cut some slack, traffic counts aren't really there on the Perimeter.

Calgary has plans to finish their ring road in the next few years, with construction on the last quadrant of their ring road (Stoney Trail, AB 201) starting this fall.

[SignGeek101]

The first 25 km of Saskatchewan's Highway 7 Twinning southwest of Saskatoon is almost complete:

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2016/september/29/construction-update

And, to follow up from the previous post, I saw this and had a bit of a laugh:

http://globalnews.ca/news/2978212/social-media-lights-up-over-crude-sign-on-new-leg-of-edmonton-ring-road/

[AsphaltPlanet]

Canada's first freeway ring road has opened! 

The final leg of Anthony Henday Drive (AB 216), in Edmonton opened today.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2976809/in-photos-final-leg-of-anthony-henday-drive-opens-this-weekend/

It is quite the road. The whole ring road has close to 30 interchanges, wide shoulders and is completely free flowing. Winnipeg could learn a thing or two from Edmonton, though to cut some slack, traffic counts aren't really there on the Perimeter.

Calgary has plans to finish their ring road in the next few years, with construction on the last quadrant of their ring road (Stoney Trail, AB 201) starting this fall.

What's next for Winnipeg after the new interchange with PTH-59 at 101 and presumably the Headingly By-pass?

Are there any medium range plans to continue to improve the Perimeter Highway?
Manitoba continues to have a low unemployment rate, so one would think this would be the time to spend the money.

[Chris]

There was a report 10 years ago commenting on the design flaws of Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway: Disaster by Design

[SignGeek101]

Canada's first freeway ring road has opened! 

The final leg of Anthony Henday Drive (AB 216), in Edmonton opened today.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2976809/in-photos-final-leg-of-anthony-henday-drive-opens-this-weekend/

It is quite the road. The whole ring road has close to 30 interchanges, wide shoulders and is completely free flowing. Winnipeg could learn a thing or two from Edmonton, though to cut some slack, traffic counts aren't really there on the Perimeter.

Calgary has plans to finish their ring road in the next few years, with construction on the last quadrant of their ring road (Stoney Trail, AB 201) starting this fall.

What's next for Winnipeg after the new interchange with PTH-59 at 101 and presumably the Headingly By-pass?

There is actually an update for the 59/101 courtesy of Trans Canada Phil on YouTube:

Go to 1:44 of this video:

Are there any medium range plans to continue to improve the Perimeter Highway?
Manitoba continues to have a low unemployment rate, so one would think this would be the time to spend the money.

The Perimeter Highway is one of those things politicians here always talk about fixing, but there's never any action taken. There was a comment from former premier Greg Selinger saying that four more diamonds would be installed on the south Perimeter starting in about five years. Selinger was not popular here for other reasons, and he lost the election last year. All I've seen the new government do so far is cut back and not talk about road projects.

Other than 59/101, there is nothing planned for the Perimeter. There is, however, the Headingley Bypass, which will take traffic away from Headingley, allowing people to travel west (on TCH) without hitting half a dozen traffic lights.

So... for the Perimeter, the short answer is nothing.

There was a report 10 years ago commenting on the design flaws of Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway: Disaster by Design

Honestly, as a transportation centre and hub for central Canada (and even North America), the state of the Perimeter is downright embarrassing. The first thing you see when you enter the city as a tourist is a dangerous, outdated, and nonstandard roadway with no sign of progress.

Winnipeg's population is projected to hit 1 million by 2035. Hopefully something will be done by then.

More info about the Perimeter's progress: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=210164&page=55

[dmuzika]

6 km Trans-Canada Highway will be twinned in Yoho National Park between the BC/Alberta border and Wapta Lake (near the Great Divide Lodge).  The remaining 40 km the TCH in Yoho will undergo an impact assessment.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/yoho/ne.aspx

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/yoho-national-park-gets-additional-funding-as-highway-1-twinning-begins

[SignGeek101]

What a pleasant surprise! I wasn't aware of this happening, although I'm glad it will be completely done across Yoho within a few years. Give the BC government until 2023 to finish Kicking Horse, and there will twinned TCH all the way to Golden.

I'll add this to my list of projects to watch.

[SignGeek101]

The first phase of SK 7 twinning west of Saskatoon has opened:

http://globalnews.ca/news/3003787/first-phase-of-highway-7-twinning-west-of-saskatoon-opens-to-drivers/

The whole project will see 25 km of SK 7 from west of Saskatoon to Delisle twinned, as traffic counts have climbed steadily in recent years (over 9000 AADT in some areas).

[Stephane Dumas]

Major milestone hit on Macleod trail at 162 Avenue, the traffic lights are removed.
http://globalnews.ca/news/3002718/macleod-trail-divergent-diamond-interchange-project-hits-major-milestone/
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/traffic-lights-to-be-removed-at-macleod-trail-162-avenue-south-interchange-1.3115821