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Regional Boards => Canada => Topic started by: un1 on January 19, 2009, 03:21:49 PM

Title: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 19, 2009, 03:21:49 PM
All of them from Highway 2 to Highway 7276
Let's start with the 400 series highways.




400 Series Highways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/400_series_highways)

The 400-series highways are a network of controlled-access freeways throughout the southern portion of the province of Ontario, Canada, forming a special subset of the provincial highway system. They function similarly to the Interstate Highway network in the United States. Modern 400-series highways have high design standards, speed limits of 100 km/h (62.5 mph), and various collision avoidance and traffic management systems. 400-series highway design has set the precedent for a number of innovations used throughout North America, including the parclo interchange.

The province's baseline standard for the construction of a 400-series highway (or any controlled-access freeway in Ontario) is an average traffic count of 10,000 vehicles per day. However, other factors are considered as well. To promote economic development in a disadvantaged region (e.g. current construction extending Highway 400 to Northern Ontario), a 400-series highway may be built where the existing highway's traffic counts fall below 10,000. As well, for environmental, budgetary or community reasons, some proposed 400-series highways (e.g. the Highway 400 extension from 401 to the Gardiner Expressway canceled in the 1960s) have not been built, even where an existing highway's traffic counts exceed the standard.

Routes map:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2F5%2F5f%2F400-series-network.gif&hash=6f6982181a0897a68776e58f3aad71a0084823f8)

400 Series Highways:


Future Proposals

A map showing all of the planned routes for the 400 series, the red ones are planned, the blue ones are completed.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fen%2F8%2F8f%2F400-series-network-future.png&hash=ad0492b963747bf861f4348c54165a56e4b70457)

Future 400 Series Highways:


That is all for the 400 series highways.
-un1
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 19, 2009, 03:22:09 PM
Primary Provincial Highways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincial_highways_in_Ontario)

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation maintains the system of provincial highways in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Ontario has several distinct classes of highways (French voie publique): King's Highways, (which includes Controlled-access highways) and secondary highways, with individual highways referred to as "that part of the King's Highway known as No. xx," or simply "the King's Highway known as No. xx."  For the purposes of legal jurisdiction, however, the Highway Traffic Act deems that tertiary roads are also considered to be "King's Highways" (French route principale).

The term "the King's Highway", first adopted in place of "provincial highway" in 1930, has been deprecated since the 1990s, and the old signs were replaced circa 1993. Currently these highways are again designated "provincial highways" or "provincially maintained highways" by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The Highway Traffic Act, amended as recently as 2006, still refers to them as "King's Highway". Both terms are sometimes used within the same regulation as the older term is phased out.

There is no route map.

Primary Provincial Highways:


I'll try to update this as often as I can, so that is all. Look out for more!
-un1
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 19, 2009, 03:22:30 PM
Secondary Provincial Highways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincial_highways_in_Ontario#Secondary_highways)

Secondary highways exist in Northern Ontario (and used to exist in Central and Eastern Ontario) to connect towns and remote areas, often connecting small to large towns to major Kings Highways. These highways are currently numbered from 502 to 673. Secondary highway markers are trapezoid-shaped. On the face of the marker appear, in order from top to bottom, the Ontario coat of arms, the number of the highway, and the word "ONTARIO".

A few secondary highways remain gravel-surfaced, although most have been paved. The speed limit on nearly all of these routes is 80 km/h (50 mph), although Highway 655 is posted at 90 km/h (56 mph).

The Secondary Highway system was introduced in 1955 to service regions in Northern and Central Ontario. In Northern Ontario, where there is no county-level system of government to take over road maintenance, secondary highways are still in operation and serve a function analogous to that of a county road, while those in Southern Ontario have all been downloaded to the counties and rolled into the county road systems there. Only one secondary highway in the province, Highway 537 in Greater Sudbury, lays within a municipal jurisdiction which also has a county-equivalent road system – it is located in an area that was an unincorporated part of the Sudbury District until being annexed into the city in 2001.

There is no route map.

Secondary Provincial Highways:





Tertiary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincial_highways_in_Ontario)

Tertiary roads connect those regions in northern Ontario not served by secondary highways. Legally, "road" (French route) has the same meaning as highway. These roads are currently numbered 801 to 811, and are marked by a simple rectangular marker with rounded corners bearing the number of the highway and the word "ONTARIO".

Most of these roads are gravel-surfaced and low-standard. The speed limit on these routes is 80 km/h (50 mph), although design standards generally override such.

The Ministry of Transportation introduced the Tertiary Road system in 1962. These roads were mostly resource access roads generally built into the most remote areas in Northern Ontario. These roads were constructed in small numbers, and with one exception (Highway 802), do not end at a settlement. Most of these Tertiary Roads were later upgraded and rebuilt to Secondary Highway standards. At present, there are only six tertiary roads in Ontario. All are gravel roads, except for Hwy 802 and Hwy 805, which both have some paved sections.

No route map.

Tertiary Highways:


-un1
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 19, 2009, 03:26:10 PM
County Roads (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_roads_in_Ontario)

This is a list of County Numbered roads in Ontario. These roads are found only in Southern and Southwestern Ontario (with the lone exception being Greater Sudbury, which is in Northern Ontario), and are listed alphabetically by county, because more than one county can sometimes have the same county road number without connecting across county lines.

By their nature, all county roads in Ontario are numbered, unless noted. This page lists all of the county/district/regional roads by their respective county, district, or regional municipality.

Some counties have been merged in the past, and are known as "United Counties". They will be treated and named as one county.

The county road network has been present for many years, but has only been signed with the flowerpot logos since the early 1970s or 1980s (depending on the area). Previously, the roads simply had road names, such as "Essex Road 42" or "Kent County Road 14", and so on, but had no shields to designate them.

In addition to County Roads, many townships also have Concession roads and Township Roads, such as Colchester South Road 3, and Concession 8. These do not have shields (only names on signs and maps), aside from one exception: Former Highway 620. It was downloaded to the Peterborough and Hastings County governments, and in one section, the highway was downloaded further to Wollaston Township, Ontario (in Peterborough County), and is now signed as "Wollaston Township 620", with a municipal sign similar to an Ontario Tertiary Highway.

List of county's with lists of county roads:


7000 Series Highways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provincial_highways_in_Ontario#Others)

In addition to these three classes of highways, the Ministry of Transportation maintains other roads (Resource roads, Industrial roads) that are of strategic importance to the Ministry, but which are not important enough to be given any special marking. These roads are designated with 7000-series numbers for internal inventory purposes, though they are not publicly marked as such. These are frequently, but not always, former highway segments which lost their original highway designation but remain important as connecting routes to communities or other highways.

As a further note, some roads are designated as 7000-series highways but are discontinuous, connected by "non-assumed" roads (roads not under provincial control, such as county roads, or town streets), linking both parts that share the same number. Also, multiple MTO owned expressways have a 7,000 hidden designation.

There is no route map.

7,000 Series Highways:


There a complete list of every provincially maintained road in Ontario.
I will try to update this as new roads come up.

-un1
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 19, 2009, 08:20:41 PM
You can tell it was a cold one out there today.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_357_west_signs_lg.jpg&hash=22a6ae8328738f74ed88456f95f591ee35488d95)

Best,
-Haljackey
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 19, 2009, 08:29:45 PM
how does one access the bookmark?  I assume it is a link of some sort, but it no clickey.

here is a great page on Ontario highways:

http://www.thekingshighway.ca/

any of these old-school markers left in the wild by any chance??

http://www.thekingshighway.ca/PHOTOS-3/hwy2-37_lg.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 19, 2009, 08:31:25 PM
I got the pic from http://www.onthighways.com/ (http://www.onthighways.com/)

Excellent site for info and pics.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: John on January 19, 2009, 09:40:04 PM
Its haljackey, yay!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Voyager on January 19, 2009, 10:13:38 PM
Wow, great job on that guide. I had no idea Ontario actually had so many freeways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: shadowduck on January 20, 2009, 11:01:05 AM
Quote from: voyager on January 19, 2009, 10:13:38 PM
Wow, great job on that guide. I had no idea Ontario actually had so many freeways.

Not also does Ontario have many freeways (there are a few others non-400 series like the 115 and the 7) it also holds the record for the widest and busiest freeway in the world. The 401 through Toronto is up to 20 lanes wide and carries over 500,000 vehicles a day.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on January 20, 2009, 11:06:55 AM
Actually the 500 k number is a SWADT (Summer Average Weekday Traffic) It should be noted that the AADT is lower. You need the AADT to compare with other freeways throughout the world. It's still the busiest though, the 401 has 426,000 and the next one's LA's I-405 with 390,000
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 20, 2009, 01:38:02 PM
I believe the highest ever recorded number of cars traveling on the 401 was about 625,000 in a single day in a section of Toronto.  Pretty insane eh?  The AADTs are also impressive.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: treichard on January 20, 2009, 02:53:57 PM
Will any of the 400-series freeway expansion be completed before 2009 is over? Got a timeline for any of the expansion?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 20, 2009, 04:08:51 PM
treichard: Not too sure, I'll check and see.

Ok, I'm done a new section on the first page.  :D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 20, 2009, 07:24:17 PM
New page?  Time for a new picture!

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_346_west_lg.jpg&hash=da213cf744e50bbeb3e09ebadb2048041a92f7a2)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 20, 2009, 07:25:28 PM
in what circumstances do they use blue guide signs instead of green?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on January 20, 2009, 07:28:36 PM
The signs on the collector lanes are blue and the signs on the express lanes are green.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 20, 2009, 07:30:29 PM
I'm pretty sure that green signs are for express lanes and for highways that don't have a C/E setup and blue signs are for collector lanes and for toll highways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 20, 2009, 07:31:06 PM
very cool!  I remember the occasional blue guide sign on Montreal's autoroutes in the 80s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: shadowduck on January 20, 2009, 11:13:36 PM
The most amazing thing about this- is the 401 was widened to 12 lanes in places in the 1970s! I don't think any highway in the US was even close to being that wide in the 1970s or maybe even the 1980s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 20, 2009, 11:19:10 PM
really? when was I-75/85 widened?  I thought that one had been many lanes since forever.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: shadowduck on January 20, 2009, 11:26:26 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on January 20, 2009, 11:19:10 PM
really? when was I-75/85 widened?  I thought that one had been many lanes since forever.

It was widened in the late 80s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 20, 2009, 11:29:43 PM
how many lanes wide is this?

(image just a bit too large to embed here... so here is a link)
http://www.texasfreeway.com/Houston/historic/photos/images/us59_trench_traffic_jam_1962.jpg

Houston, TX.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 20, 2009, 11:33:27 PM
agentsteel53:  Well in that pic cars are in the inner and (probably) outer shoulder, so that makes only 4 lanes in width (or 8 each way).

Another interesting note is that the 401 went from a 4-lane rural highway bypass right into a 12+ lane beast right away!  No gradual widening here, it just tripled in size!  :P
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Voyager on January 21, 2009, 01:06:45 AM
That interchange almost looks scarier than the I-5/405 junction in Orange County. 22 lanes wide!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Shadow Assassin on January 21, 2009, 06:47:44 AM
Don't they usually use yellow-on-blue signs to point people towards the Queen Elizabeth Way?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 21, 2009, 05:49:27 PM
Quote from: Shadow Assassin on January 21, 2009, 06:47:44 AM
Don't they usually use yellow-on-blue signs to point people towards the Queen Elizabeth Way?

Hey, welcome SA!

No, just the QEW shield is yellow on blue.  Its the only one like that, as the rest are white on green.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 21, 2009, 06:06:13 PM
are any of these blue/white shields still around?  they were posted until 1993, I think.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FIMAGES%2Fmcfreeway.jpg&hash=b4fa3c0dc36ae733dd69243ed9da3b7ca9fbb8db)

and check out the blue guide sign!
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FIMAGES%2FMC_1978.jpg&hash=c39fc92de66b7281ece01962bc69364c6bc5948d)

also, when did Ontario start using green/white for trailblazers?  I don't know of any green/white shields before about 1955... I think back then the trailblazers were white/black too.

bonus picture:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FIMAGES%2FQEW_old.jpg&hash=b37ef33aa1150be37f2325cbb7e0f84b26d9a8e6)

now THAT is a QEW shield!  What I wouldn't give to get my hands on a cateyed QEW or King's Highway shield from the 1930s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 21, 2009, 06:14:02 PM
I believe there is one blue 401 shield still around, but the QEW shield from the 30s, no, or I don't expect there to be one.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 21, 2009, 06:16:15 PM
no, I can't imagine a 1930s shield being around... maybe one of the smaller King's Highway shields from the 50s in some town with more polar bears than people... but probably not even that.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FHwy3C.jpg&hash=328ccb3e2ffb0505e0918ce5b8a5b96063671f25)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 21, 2009, 06:20:58 PM
Well, 3c is long gone (and Polar Bears don't live in most of Ontario, only the extreme north of it, which is about 1000 km above the populated area of Ontario). Although, next time I see my uncle who used to work on road maintenance in Ontario who has a huge and I mean HUGE collection of highway shields, some of them are new some of them have the newer design but are far larger (like the Highway 11 shield in my house). He might have an old one, not too sure about it though.. (Last time I saw him was in 2007, so all of his shields are very vague in my memory)

-un1
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on January 21, 2009, 06:26:10 PM
do numbered highways go that far north?

that would be great if you could get a photo of his highway shield collection!

all the pictures I'm posting are being taken from here.  Lots of shields there to be seen.

http://www.thekingshighway.ca/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 21, 2009, 06:36:09 PM
No, the highest one goes to Pickle Lake (Highway 599 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_599_(Ontario))) (Although there was one but it was closed in the 1980s, then there is just little roads, mostly winter roads that goes up 50-70 km from there), which is about 300km away from the extreme north. The only way to get there is by plane, train or boat.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 21, 2009, 07:46:47 PM
Oh new page!  Time for new picture!

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_cl_111_east_lg.jpg&hash=aa10762eeaf1729b128a9d2408dc12f6f8bde3c7)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 22, 2009, 08:05:45 PM
Secondary and 800 Series highways have been added to the guide.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 23, 2009, 11:12:22 AM
A rural highway (Highway 400) as it heads into the Canadian Shield:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_164_north_lg.jpg&hash=0ecfa420a4abb99a444757993b39cc8734402479)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on January 23, 2009, 04:06:48 PM
hal: that is for upgrading them to a 4 lane highway. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 23, 2009, 04:31:56 PM
Quote from: un1 on January 23, 2009, 04:06:48 PM
hal: that is for upgrading them to a 4 lane highway. :rolleyes:

Well its actually for 4+ lane, grade separated highways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 08, 2009, 09:42:25 PM
Am I the only one posting stuff here?   :rolleyes:

Oh well, more pics! 

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg513.imageshack.us%2Fimg513%2F6110%2F404cl19northlglr5.jpg&hash=4fb9cfee1f894cbd747afbb1be77a69edd23e969)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on February 08, 2009, 10:07:14 PM
How about a less freeway picture?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_960_west.jpg&hash=c8a23d606a78b68cf4728a25fbf17a4182895874)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Hellfighter on February 09, 2009, 09:50:15 PM
Is that Hwy 11?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on February 10, 2009, 08:07:11 PM
Yes it is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 11, 2009, 12:03:33 AM
Could it get any straiter?   :-P
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on February 11, 2009, 08:59:56 AM
Interstate 37: Flat, strait and dry on almost it's whole route.
(Unrelated to Ontario)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fll316%2Fun1_2008%2FOn%2520The%2520Road%2FTripImages1Kegerator014.jpg&hash=f15eeaf71f3eb5f612c7abcff491359c2e9035ed)
(Photographed by me)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 11, 2009, 09:34:36 AM
Quote from: un1 on February 11, 2009, 08:59:56 AM
Interstate 37: Flat, strait and dry on almost it's whole route.
(Unrelated to Ontario)

Then why are you posting it here?   :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on February 11, 2009, 09:53:05 AM
To show you that Highway 11 isn't the only flat/straight highway on Earth. (Just because I wanted to post it)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 11, 2009, 10:12:52 AM
Quote from: un1 on February 11, 2009, 09:53:05 AM
To show you that Highway 11 isn't the only flat/straight highway on Earth. (Just because I wanted to post it)

Meh, I knew that.   :eyebrow:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 16, 2009, 02:53:16 PM
Time for another pic, Highway 401 close to #2A.  Its an impressive curve pic!

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_392_west_lg.jpg&hash=0a63a20f68a56e3ebfc2edcc63c2346d22093b1c)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mightyace on February 18, 2009, 07:26:39 PM
What are the squares with the tar around the edges?

Traffic sensors of some kind?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 02, 2009, 11:54:38 PM
Quote from: mightyace on February 18, 2009, 07:26:39 PM
What are the squares with the tar around the edges?

Traffic sensors of some kind?

I'd assume so.  Might be a measurement of AADT or something.




Here's a new pic straight from MTO.  It's the 401/404/DVP interchange in Northern Toronto.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg21.imageshack.us%2Fimg21%2F1420%2Fhwy404401interchange102sz6.jpg&hash=1dca2a93ab294fa7e4c3a8680d9a3eaa7bd6bb77)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on March 03, 2009, 08:15:42 AM
Wow that looks nice, I think it might be a candidate for my next avatar.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 08, 2009, 06:51:02 PM
Here's a newly completed interchange along Highway 400 in northern Ontario:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg19.imageshack.us%2Fimg19%2F8986%2Fhwy400hwy1411024x768800.jpg&hash=f2d8ce78b1cff6ab95ef8329cff20c586da528df)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on March 08, 2009, 07:05:57 PM
How new? Is the section from Parry Sound to Nobel completed? Or is that the former gap (I forget the name)?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: yanksfan6129 on March 08, 2009, 07:42:31 PM
I like the way the rock outcroppings were incorporated into that interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 09, 2009, 01:02:09 PM
Quote from: un1 on March 08, 2009, 07:05:57 PM
How new? Is the section from Parry Sound to Nobel completed? Or is that the former gap (I forget the name)?

Its with highway 141 I believe, wherever that is.   :-P
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on March 09, 2009, 03:09:20 PM
Geez, I guess living in the middle of Ontario helps with geography.  :pan:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 27, 2009, 03:46:42 PM
A couple more pictures of interest:

Elevated highway in downtown Toronto:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg15.imageshack.us%2Fimg15%2F8599%2Fgardinernightlg800x600.jpg&hash=4a7342926fb5dd040b104c5f12120c4e381e432b)

Paint testing:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg23.imageshack.us%2Fimg23%2F9841%2F401cl550westlg800x600.jpg&hash=fd4f88315057a420420e640124e52a0952ee927c)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on March 27, 2009, 05:10:06 PM
Is that first one the Gardiner? I heard stories about chopping a part of it down...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on March 27, 2009, 06:29:42 PM
The first one, yes, and yes there is plans but I really hope they never happen.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 27, 2009, 11:49:41 PM
Yes many people want to see the elevated section of Gardiner taken underground similar to what the Big Dig did to Boston's ugly elevated highway.

The problem is that there just isn't enough money to finance this massive project, (remember that the US has a much larger budget than Canada) and the problems Boston faced during construction are feared to happen here.

I also recall there were plans to tunnel another highway under Lake Ontario and connect further east (similar to the Chunnel).  It would contain a separate road and subway deck.  It seems like a pipe dream at this point, however.

Others just want to tear down the Gardiner and replace it with a surface street.  Although this might get rid of the eyesore, it would significantly hamper the Gardiner's capacity, leading to heavy traffic congestion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on March 29, 2009, 08:29:46 AM
Maybe the Toronto government just throws out the idea of dismantling the Gardiner to see what kind of reaction it Garnishes?  If nothing else, it's good to think the City has the foresight to appreciate that a significant replacement strategy will need to be implemented for the continued good repair of the highway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ctsignguy on March 29, 2009, 10:41:11 AM
I remember the 401 quite well...

i used to go to the GTA to see my (at the time) SO in Scarborough...i would always arrive in early afternoon, and spend almost 90 minutes from 427 to 404  (I told her the 401 in that stretch was 'the world's longest parking lot' and she didnt argue the point...

Always a busy road....i recall we left the airport area around 2AM where we had attended Anime North (the con had ended at 5:30P, we had simply spent several hours in a Tim Horton's shooting the breeze with some mutual friends from Hamilton over pop, juice, coffee and donuts) and that road was STILL incredibly busy for that hour of the night!  @_@
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Hellfighter on March 30, 2009, 02:48:37 PM
Have they agreed on whether and where to extend the 401?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 31, 2009, 12:04:49 AM
Hellfighter06:  I think a possible route has pretty much been confirmed, but you know the government.  It could take decades before we see the thing completed!   :-P

Anyways a couple more pictures of interest I found:

One of the iconic "parclo" interchanges the province is known for.  This one is along Highway 407.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg21.imageshack.us%2Fimg21%2F300%2F15hwy40702.jpg&hash=e90978a31f3e9a354b8646bae50171e4c5a432ca)

The wide 401 cuts its way through a golf course!   :pan:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg24.imageshack.us%2Fimg24%2F3221%2Fimg0012800x600.jpg&hash=b55e708f107e9fa3066381ff649488964a73f0cb)

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed them!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on March 31, 2009, 10:08:35 AM
QuoteThe wide 401 cuts its way through a golf course!   

I've seen crazier things, like the I-278/I-495 in New York right through a cemetary  :pan:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 03, 2009, 12:30:50 AM
Yay, Spring is here!  Finally we can put this behind us:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F5847%2F23208136036624e24209o80gh2.jpg&hash=245b86ae078b309662e85c5d51d607675982ea79)

:spin:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on April 03, 2009, 07:40:41 AM
Not here haljackey, we just got 30 cm of wet and heavy snow even though all of our temperatures are staying above freezing now (even at night).
The sad thing is that our snow melted just before it!  :-(
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 04, 2009, 11:57:11 AM
Here's a shot of one of closest interchanges near me.  (Wellington Road @ the 401).

Recently it was reconstructed from an outdated 3/4 cloverleaf interchange to a large, higher capacity parclo type.

Here's a shot of one of the new entrance ramps:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg13.imageshack.us%2Fimg13%2F4783%2F15445372800x600.jpg&hash=b54424f018a420296fcaedb7e22788a5140b882a)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 24, 2009, 04:48:43 PM
Argh it looks like their making concrete highways again.   :pan:

Still, the new section of the 410 is nicely designed.  Here's a pic:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mto.gov.on.ca%2Fgraphics%2Fenglish%2Fpubs%2Fhighway-construction%2Fsouthern-highway-2008%2FHwy410-extension.jpg&hash=83935023ecf751c0d27560a624918b5a062567dc)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on April 25, 2009, 08:41:59 AM
^ Neat pictures.  What's neat is that Phase 3 of the extension will actually be surfaced in asphalt.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 25, 2009, 10:18:32 AM
WHY the concrete hatred?  It's much more durable than asphalt for freeways and heavily trafficked arterials.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: deathtopumpkins on April 25, 2009, 06:54:45 PM
Some people just prefer asphalt over concrete for their own reasons...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on April 26, 2009, 10:22:58 AM
the other nice thing about concrete is it allows for roadbuilders to pave over it with asphalt once the concrete is starting to wear.  The worn concrete still serves as a pretty decent roadbase for another decade or two.

I'll admit though, I know a lot of states like Michigan pave arterial City streets with concrete.  I have never been much a fan of that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 26, 2009, 02:25:28 PM
I hate concrete, especially on highways.

Why?  Its bumpy, and you can't see the lines on the road so well.  Look at the pic on the last page and you'll see they put black paint right after the lane markings so you can see it.  That looks horrible!

When you're going fast on concrete all you hear is bump, bump, bump whereas asphalt is a smooth, quiet ride.  When roads start to wear down asphalt can easily be repaired whereas concrete is a more difficult, expensive job.  When concrete is left in a bad condition it gets even worse as there are more cracks resulting in a even bumpier ride that can take a toll on your car.

I've even seen some concrete highways that have been repaired with asphalt.  Their cracks and potholes are filled with asphalt which looks horrible.

Asphalt, if built right and properly maintained, is much better than concrete.  It also works better in Canada as asphalt can expand and contact better than concrete during the many freeze/thaws this country experiences when the temperature hovers around the freezing mark.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on April 26, 2009, 04:20:25 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_110-119_images%2F115_cl_37_north.jpg&hash=b881c11c474397378d2ccfd9d6b630f120ec68b9) ?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: yanksfan6129 on April 26, 2009, 04:38:10 PM
Haljackey said it all!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on April 26, 2009, 04:56:01 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_17_images%2F17_cl_1709_east.jpg&hash=7145869f85b43e6a6ac997092897617ca87de1ff)

Look at how easily this asphalt was repaired.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 27, 2009, 12:50:22 AM
The way I see it, an asphalt or concrete highway can look bad.  Under normal conditions, concrete may last longer than asphalt, but asphalt is cheaper to build and repair.  The pros still outweigh the cons in my opinion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 27, 2009, 07:59:24 PM
Simple, hijack.  Do a life-cycle cost analysis (discounted to present-year dollars) of concrete vs. asphalt.  Feel free to include the higher user cost of more elaborate/longer lasting construction zones when concrete is replaced.  I've seen one done putting concrete ahead.  Your mileage may vary, especially depending on location (some places asphalt is cheaper than others, plus freeze-thaw can be an issue).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Fcexpress80 on April 30, 2009, 02:27:35 AM
In regards to the asphalt/concrete debate, I would think asphalt is cheaper but wears faster than concrete.  Asphalt takes a beating on grades where braking vehicles "push" up ripples.  This would be most noticable on off-ramp exits. 

Concrete holds up better but ages and wears eventually, especially where studded tires are used during winter months. 

In my city (Seattle, WA), the WA State DOT is currently tearing out and repouring severely cracked sections of concrete on the 45-year-old Interstate 5.  The ruts created by tire wear are being eliminated by the use of a high tech laser level concrete grinder which shaves off the old surface by a few centimeters to a smooth surface, good as new.  I'm sure the cost is more than slapping on a new layer of asphalt but it creates a pretty quiet surface that will last another 40 years, I hope.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on April 30, 2009, 05:26:41 AM
Quote from: Fcexpress80Asphalt takes a beating on grades where braking vehicles "push" up ripples.  This would be most noticable on off-ramp exits

True, that's why many countries construct a different kind of pavements on off ramps and at traffic lights. I know my city (Zwolle, Netherlands) used to have some nice camel pavement at traffic lights.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 30, 2009, 12:00:18 PM
Yes well it all depends on the location.

In Ontario, we experience many freeze/thaws which expands and contracts the roadbed.  Asphalt can expand and contract better than concrete.  You also have to take into consideration he sand/salt/deicing solution and plows used to keep the roads clear in the wintertime.

Advances are being made in both asphalt and concrete paving.  Just look at the Big Dig tunnels in Boston, concrete feels right at home there, but when you get to the climate and conditions of Ontario's highways, asphalt is better.


A small quote about this from the 400 series Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/400-series_highways_(Ontario))
QuoteUnlike most of the U.S.'s highways (which are mostly paved with a concrete surface), the majority of 400-series highways are coated with asphalt pavement. All bridge decks are also covered with asphalt, with concrete only exposed around the expansion joints, in contrast to most U.S. Interstates, which have bridge decks paved with exposed concrete containing tining (grooves).

Normally, asphalt pavements would actually require more frequent maintenance due to the material being less durable in general. In addition, the laying of additional asphalt layers would require a stronger infrastructure, translating to higher construction costs. However, the use of additional asphalt covers on most 400-series highways is due to the fact that the asphalt is more resistant to erosion from de-icing salt than concrete.


You'll even see complete opposite uses of concrete and asphalt on Ontario's highways compared to US highways.  A great example is highway 407 which is concrete but has asphalt bridges, whereas many US highways are asphalt and have concrete bridges.

Interesting eh?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on April 30, 2009, 12:25:41 PM
You know what, it is interesting.  I remember talking to an MTO guy a few years ago when they were presenting the Wellington Road widening along the 401 a few years back.  I asked the MTO guy if they were going to resurface the highway in concrete, for which he scoffed.  He didn't like concrete either.  I guess it is up the specific engineer what they want to see constructed.  Ontario has seen a fair number of concrete highways constructed in the past few years, the 401 in Essex, the 402 in Lambton, the 410, the 417 near Hawsburry, Highway 3 in Essex.  Apparently the MTO is quite pleased with the work being completed by CoCo paving in Essex.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on May 07, 2009, 03:49:17 PM
http://www.news.ontario.ca/mndm/en/2009/05/four-laning-of-highway-1117-begins.html (http://www.news.ontario.ca/mndm/en/2009/05/four-laning-of-highway-1117-begins.html)

Starts next year, not much, but that is because the past few years they completely rebuilt the road, though the sections that are becoming a limited access expressway haven't been rebuilt last year (due to complete failure of the company who was supposed to do it  X-( ).



Just looking around the news site and I found this:
http://www.news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/04/ontarios-roads-safest-in-north-america.html (http://www.news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/04/ontarios-roads-safest-in-north-america.html)

Ontario's Roads are the safest in North America...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on May 22, 2009, 09:51:36 PM
Some new photos:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_sign_HoH_Bill.jpg&hash=35ce39334499f9b3e8a654f364e6265c85b51758)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_sign_HoH_Lg.jpg&hash=2b8b578d8a204132a425b26b478beab2b48b43c9)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_438_east_Apr09.jpg&hash=e68a4eee45bbf4c6ed3df07fd7c54b1f7a2f4b16)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_600-649_images%2F600_cl_38_east.jpg&hash=3149e18fd28a4d075242751175085a8729a86871)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_600-649_images%2F600_cl_46_west.jpg&hash=037b8c4c2612eebb403bab8ba72e983a327c9a66)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on May 22, 2009, 10:37:29 PM
sometimes they do take that "English and French" thing just a bit too far.  Just send Quebec off already to be its own independent nation!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on May 22, 2009, 11:37:51 PM
^ Really, you think so?  I like our billingual signage.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on May 23, 2009, 12:17:13 AM
I think it's a waste of taxpayer money to be spending twice as much as necessary.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on May 23, 2009, 10:13:31 AM
bah...  supporting our bilingual heritage is worth the cost of a few extra signs.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on June 15, 2009, 07:01:28 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on May 22, 2009, 10:37:29 PM
sometimes they do take that "English and French" thing just a bit too far.
Exactly, one of the first signs I saw when leaving the airport is this. It's not as if points of the compass are completely different in both languages :-/

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.co.uk%2Fd70%2Fwestnorth.jpg&hash=88dd977f60f28342e5801a2a3c9a1f0306dadf27)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on June 16, 2009, 05:34:25 PM
^ That is a sharp photo, do you use a filter for that?  No haze at all.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Hellfighter on June 17, 2009, 12:38:47 AM
Does anyone have any photos of Hwy 599?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on June 17, 2009, 06:49:07 AM
Quote from: sonysnob on June 16, 2009, 05:34:25 PM
^ That is a sharp photo, do you use a filter for that?  No haze at all.
I use a filter but it's only to protect the lens. The sharpness is probably from 10 years of taking photos at the wheel so with experience you get the hang of reducing shake and blur :)

Here's a 100% crop of the next sign. I doubt very much that even if I parked and took the picture using a tripod it would come out any sharper.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedcam.co.uk%2Fd70%2F401sign.jpg&hash=a815720944772134f569923d141deee8e7676e02)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: WillWeaverRVA on June 18, 2009, 01:32:45 AM
How long has Ontario been using Clearview? It looks like they're using it even for route shields, which differs from the U.S. in most respects (most US jurisdictions using Clearview still opt for FHWA fonts on route shields and markers).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Tom on June 21, 2009, 11:32:06 AM
Here's a group about Hwy 17, and an article about Ontario's provincial highways + county roads:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/hwy17ontariocanada/?yguid=148538425 (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/hwy17ontariocanada/?yguid=148538425) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ontario_provincial_highways (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ontario_provincial_highways)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_roads_of_Ontario (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_roads_of_Ontario) :coffee: 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on June 22, 2009, 10:15:09 PM
^that sign was not put up by the MTO, but rather the GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority).  MTO has used clearview on a couple of signs on the QEW, but since 2007, hasn't put anything new up.  The City of Toronto is using Clearview on its newest freeway signs.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_87_TB.jpg&hash=b80e36d8434a0a0c01fc1192ed9c36be7cffb9eb)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 22, 2009, 11:58:54 PM
Quote from: sonysnob on June 22, 2009, 10:15:09 PM
^that sign was not put up by the MTO, but rather the GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority).  MTO has used clearview on a couple of signs on the QEW, but since 2007, hasn't put anything new up.  The City of Toronto is using Clearview on its newest freeway signs.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_87_TB.jpg&hash=b80e36d8434a0a0c01fc1192ed9c36be7cffb9eb)

Somebody forgot to put up the exit number tabs there. lol.  Been awhile since I was that far North on the QEW.  The farthest North I've been as of late is the Ontario Street interchange on the QEW in St. Catharines.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on June 23, 2009, 07:33:31 AM
^Ontario doesn't post exit numbers on every sign.  Usually just at advanced arrows, and at the gore.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Tom on August 18, 2009, 07:58:10 AM
In the early days of modern highways, it was common for some major highways to be gravel, so we probably don't think about any gravel highways later on.  However, the last stretch of gravel highway was Hwy 17 in northwestern Ontario, and wasn't paved until 1967.  Personally, I remember driving on St. Joseph Island's Hwy 548 in 2002, and it was gravel, but I believe it was because of a construction project on the road at the time. :coffee:

[Edited for readability. -S.]
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on August 21, 2009, 06:16:40 AM
There are still gravel highways in Ontario.  This is Highway 600:
http://www.onthighways.com/secondary/hwy_600-649_images/600_cl_47_east.jpg (http://www.onthighways.com/secondary/hwy_600-649_images/600_cl_47_east.jpg)

The last stretch of principal highway in Ontario to be paved was Highway 129, it was paved in 1982.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Tom on August 22, 2009, 09:22:56 AM
Interesting.  Thanks 4 the info. :coffee:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sonysnob on September 09, 2009, 09:23:49 PM
Highway to nowhere:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_40-49_images%2F49_cl_20_north.jpg&hash=6c463deab2c5437f03390260a3a369321ad2fc69)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: palisades on October 26, 2009, 11:14:59 PM
Just a quick drive on the 401 heading into the basketweve

[Edit: link deleted]
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on November 15, 2009, 01:28:34 AM
Quote from: palisades on October 26, 2009, 11:14:59 PM
Just a quick drive on the 401 heading into the basketweve

[Edit: link deleted]

Palisades - You will have to host your image on a different site.  It's not coming through from where you're hosting it, and in order to view it, people have to log in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on December 19, 2009, 02:11:22 PM
Bump..

I just finished the list of highways on the first page, now it includes the unmarked roads, 7,000 series.

So how about another picture?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F6_cl_434_north.jpg&hash=3e202a680affade08d9aa2c3469092d52d4a7805)

I've been there before!

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: yanksfan6129 on December 20, 2009, 10:09:39 AM
Where is that?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on December 20, 2009, 10:13:15 AM
Right near the ferry docks on highway 6 on Manitoulin Island. (South Baymouth)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: joseph1723 on December 23, 2009, 12:49:56 PM
Here's a few pictures I got of the newest 400 series highway, the final phase of the 410 extension which opened in mid November 2009.

Here's map of the section of newly opened freeway from Wikipedia click to enlarge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F2%2F2f%2F410_extension_from_Mayfield_to_Valleywood.svg%2F500px-410_extension_from_Mayfield_to_Valleywood.svg.png&hash=1e1e54b4d4c02835d16c243c149098e75d9ffe3b) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/410_extension_from_Mayfield_to_Valleywood.svg/1000px-410_extension_from_Mayfield_to_Valleywood.svg.png)

Looking south at the split where former highway 10(Hurontario Street) would have split from highway 410.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg136.imageshack.us%2Fimg136%2F7890%2Fdscn5713q.jpg&hash=a15c97ba9a25970d850f85d0e85a8cc0421f8717)

The diagrammatic showing the split.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg205.imageshack.us%2Fimg205%2F7648%2Fdscn5714.jpg&hash=6f03b5756662eb8e1611f48acd3a9988080f32f8)

The overhead at the gore point of the split.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg192.imageshack.us%2Fimg192%2F3937%2Fdscn5716b.jpg&hash=092dda49486ef2ddb002561359ea13d8a1ddc32f)

And finally the southbound gore signage for Mayfield Road.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg268.imageshack.us%2Fimg268%2F5%2Fdscn5720h.jpg&hash=d291d6371e5e647edcd5c3ae5666e2bd250a6b35)


Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on December 26, 2009, 11:27:34 AM
Cool, thanks for sharing joseph1723!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 26, 2009, 07:39:14 PM
Very nice.  Was wondering how they would do the signage where ON-10 becomes ON-410.

===

Hey un, have you seen the Ontario Routes I did for the CHM project yet?  I've already shown off the previews @ the ontroads's Yahoo Group.  And from that, I know I still have to make minor tweaks the following King's Highways: 4(need to split this one because of London not having a connecting link), 41, 48, & 148

Here's the link to the stuff.   Please let me know if you see anything else that might be wrong:
http://cmap.m-plex.com/hb/selecthwys.php?sys=canon&rg=all&mt=g&gr=p&sub=Show#r
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on December 26, 2009, 10:26:21 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 26, 2009, 07:39:14 PM
Hey un, have you seen the Ontario Routes I did for the CHM project yet?  I've already shown off the previews @ the ontroads's Yahoo Group.  And from that, I know I still have to make minor tweaks the following King's Highways: 4(need to split this one because of London not having a connecting link), 41, 48, & 148

Here's the link to the stuff.   Please let me know if you see anything else that might be wrong:
http://cmap.m-plex.com/hb/selecthwys.php?sys=canon&rg=all&mt=g&gr=p&sub=Show#r

No I haven't, I've been very busy. I only to browse the forums I am active on (Which are currently Simtropolis, AARoads, Airliners.net) and being on the Simtropolis Help Squad takes a little bit more time too. I will look over for any errors, If I do I'll tell you. So far it looks very accurate, but I know there is quite a bit to look over.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on December 27, 2009, 12:04:36 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 26, 2009, 07:39:14 PM
have you seen the Ontario Routes I did for the CHM project yet?  I've already shown off the previews @ the ontroads's Yahoo Group.  And from that, I know I still have to make minor tweaks the following King's Highways: 4(need to split this one because of London not having a connecting link), 41, 48, & 148

Here's the link to the stuff.   Please let me know if you see anything else that might be wrong:
http://cmap.m-plex.com/hb/selecthwys.php?sys=canon&rg=all&mt=g&gr=p&sub=Show#r

I can tell you that Highway 4 looks correct, except for the east/west link in London.  Northbound is the street to the south, southbound is the street to the north.  Its odd how the two directions don't follow the same road... no one seems to know how to route the thing through the city correctly.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 27, 2009, 12:28:57 AM
Quote from: haljackey on December 27, 2009, 12:04:36 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 26, 2009, 07:39:14 PM
have you seen the Ontario Routes I did for the CHM project yet?  I've already shown off the previews @ the ontroads's Yahoo Group.  And from that, I know I still have to make minor tweaks the following King's Highways: 4(need to split this one because of London not having a connecting link), 41, 48, & 148

Here's the link to the stuff.   Please let me know if you see anything else that might be wrong:
http://cmap.m-plex.com/hb/selecthwys.php?sys=canon&rg=all&mt=g&gr=p&sub=Show#r

I can tell you that Highway 4 looks correct, except for the east/west link in London.  Northbound is the street to the south, southbound is the street to the north.  Its odd how the two directions don't follow the same road... no one seems to know how to route the thing through the city correctly.

We split routes in half it they travel on separate streets.  And as far as I have been told, 4 (while it may be signed) no longer exists in London as the Connecting Link has been terminated.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: joseph1723 on December 27, 2009, 10:32:33 PM
Thanks I had some more pic of the ON 410 extension but they came out too dim or blurry.

===

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 26, 2009, 07:39:14 PM
have you seen the Ontario Routes I did for the CHM project yet?  I've already shown off the previews @ the ontroads's Yahoo Group.  And from that, I know I still have to make minor tweaks the following King's Highways: 4(need to split this one because of London not having a connecting link), 41, 48, & 148

Here's the link to the stuff.   Please let me know if you see anything else that might be wrong:
http://cmap.m-plex.com/hb/selecthwys.php?sys=canon&rg=all&mt=g&gr=p&sub=Show#r

I can tell you that HIghway 7 is pretty accurate except I think that the section west of Markham Bypass RR48 was downloaded to York Region in 2006 - 2007. I'll need tio check that though, aside from that, the rest seems to be pretty accurate. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on December 28, 2009, 11:18:32 PM
Quote from: HighwayMaster on December 28, 2009, 02:05:25 PM
If the MTO was logical enough, then these would be the correct 400-series numbers:

400 from Toronto to Barrie=411
The rest of 400=469
401=402
402=422
403=405
404=448
405=408A
406=458
409=401
QEW=408

Umm... why?

A lot of them are numbered as such because they follow a similar route of a corresponding number.  For example, highway 410 follows highway 10, and thus it is named as such.

Are you implying the even/odd thing in terms of route direction?  That works well in the US, but in Canada it doesn't make sense since we don't have many highways that run up to the north coast.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 28, 2009, 11:25:31 PM
HighwayMaster, never in a million years would the QEW be renamed.  There is just way too much history in that designation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: TheStranger on December 29, 2009, 01:05:30 AM
Quote from: haljackey on December 28, 2009, 11:18:32 PM


Umm... why?

A lot of them are numbered as such because they follow a similar route of a corresponding number.  For example, highway 410 follows highway 10, and thus it is named as such.

It seems that in some of the hypotheticals posed in that post (i.e. 469), it's an attempt at extending the current numbering system on all 400-series routes - but most of the 400 routes below 410 were created or planned in sequential order in the 1960s, thus their lack of correspondence to the parallel corridor's number (400, 401, 403).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 20, 2010, 06:03:48 PM
Some new photos from Onthighways.com

407:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_59_east_lg.jpg&hash=8eda5b4568b477363cf013b725e9c65076297518)

410 extension:

Open:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_21-5_north.jpg&hash=ce89f20370382a06c14c55c7f2ea0bce4be89906)

Under construction:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onthighways.com%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_20_Nov09_north.jpg&hash=9f295ace499c3ffebcaca3034538dc68534eb7eb)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 20, 2010, 07:33:49 PM
Hal, do you have permission from Scott (the person that runs onthighways.com) to be hot linking his pictures here?

If not, I would recommend uploading them to Photobucket and still give him credit here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on February 17, 2010, 06:10:53 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on January 20, 2010, 07:33:49 PM
Hal, do you have permission from Scott (the person that runs onthighways.com) to be hot linking his pictures here?

If not, I would recommend uploading them to Photobucket and still give him credit here.

Sorry to bump this topic, but we have already gone through this discussion, located here (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=417.msg9855#msg9855) (scroll down after my post to see dtp's final decision).

Also, just to add, hal's photobucket space is used up.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on March 31, 2010, 07:22:22 PM
Here's a neat overview of Highway 407: Canada's only electronic toll highway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg532.imageshack.us%2Fimg532%2F9484%2F15hwy40703.jpg&hash=a73f9751e99a079973ac44564dfee071a0fc0100)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 06, 2010, 12:49:17 AM
HOV lane design in Ontario

Note the paved shoulder and the stripped buffer zone.  The appearance of these lanes is very different compared to elsewhere in Canada and the United States.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg547.imageshack.us%2Fimg547%2F5485%2Fhovlane.jpg&hash=1f3d85a4be815968dbf2b025eb0fab3333dc87df)

-If you drive a vehicle with a "Green" Ontario license plate you can drive in HOV lanes with no occupants.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.thecarconnection.com%2Fsml%2Fontario-green-license-plate-for-hybrids-and-evs_100232204_s.jpg&hash=a1580f54c5d541b94f47ba093392c1dae33f9ec6)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mightyace on April 06, 2010, 04:47:05 PM
Quote from: haljackey on April 06, 2010, 12:49:17 AM
-If you drive a vehicle with a "Green" Ontario license plate you can drive in HOV lanes with no occupants.

I assume that you mean no additional occupants or no passengers.

A car with no occupants, even a green one, would be extremely dangerous.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 06, 2010, 08:44:47 PM
Quote from: haljackey on March 31, 2010, 07:22:22 PM
Here's a neat overview of Highway 407: Canada's only electronic toll highway.

Question on that photo - Is the right of way, and are the bridges, designed to accommodate dual outer carriageways based on future traffic volumes?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Bickendan on April 07, 2010, 01:06:23 AM
Quote from: mightyace on April 06, 2010, 04:47:05 PM
Quote from: haljackey on April 06, 2010, 12:49:17 AM
-If you drive a vehicle with a "Green" Ontario license plate you can drive in HOV lanes with no occupants.

I assume that you mean no additional occupants or no passengers.

A car with no occupants, even a green one, would be extremely dangerous.  :sombrero:
No no -- no occupants whatsoever. Cars are expected to get jobs and support themselves these days, haven't you heard? They've got to drive themselves to work somehow.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mightyace on April 07, 2010, 02:38:15 AM
Quote from: Bickendan on April 07, 2010, 01:06:23 AM
Quote from: mightyace on April 06, 2010, 04:47:05 PM
Quote from: haljackey on April 06, 2010, 12:49:17 AM
-If you drive a vehicle with a "Green" Ontario license plate you can drive in HOV lanes with no occupants.

I assume that you mean no additional occupants or no passengers.

A car with no occupants, even a green one, would be extremely dangerous.  :sombrero:
No no -- no occupants whatsoever. Cars are expected to get jobs and support themselves these days, haven't you heard? They've got to drive themselves to work somehow.

Now, if my car would only get a good enough job, maybe I wouldn't have to.  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2010, 03:14:27 AM
Quote from: haljackey on April 06, 2010, 12:49:17 AM
HOV lane design in Ontario

Note the paved shoulder and the stripped buffer zone.  The appearance of these lanes is very different compared to elsewhere in Canada and the United States.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg547.imageshack.us%2Fimg547%2F5485%2Fhovlane.jpg&hash=1f3d85a4be815968dbf2b025eb0fab3333dc87df)

That picture would be of King's Highway 403 heading Eastbound into Toronto just after the Erin Mills Parkway Interchange (Exit #112), correct? ;)  I remember every part of 403 since I traveled on it more than 100 times. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on April 07, 2010, 10:22:50 AM
Quote from: AlpsROADS on April 06, 2010, 08:44:47 PM
Quote from: haljackey on March 31, 2010, 07:22:22 PM
Here's a neat overview of Highway 407: Canada's only electronic toll highway.

Question on that photo - Is the right of way, and are the bridges, designed to accommodate dual outer carriageways based on future traffic volumes?

Judging by the traffic in the picture I don't think widening will be necessary. In fact a two lane suburban street would handle those traffic levels well enough :colorful:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 07, 2010, 11:09:04 AM
You're right, no additional occupants :P.

Yes, you need to wait for a break in the buffer zone in order to get in and out of the HOV lane.  (Legally, that is  :-P)

Example of a break in the buffer zone:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg411.imageshack.us%2Fimg411%2F5677%2F60887077.png&hash=b95dded44fb3f6a8c2f3f117b5405333ca232036)

Transition from buffer zone to transition zone:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg532.imageshack.us%2Fimg532%2F1218%2Fdddy.png&hash=21370b6d73e90021e62c7dc050c46b7fbfa57395)




Oh and I think the 407 has been designed to be built to a 10 or 12 lane freeway (maximum).  I don't think any extra carriageways will be added, just more lanes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 10, 2010, 02:37:14 PM
My vision of London roads (That I made in paint lol)

Highway 402 would go straight, north of the city (as originally planned) instead of curving south west of the city.

Red is what should go in. Dotted red are alternate routes and possible new routes. The current 402 route has been scribbled out.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg249.imageshack.us%2Fimg249%2F4931%2Fclipboard02800x600.jpg&hash=66224b4f4c29362d1dd44a3e0af5371ce2557354)

Part of the "Smartmoves London" 2030 Master Plan discussion:
http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Transportation_Planning/default.htm (http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Transportation_Planning/default.htm)

Full resolution map here:
http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/2176/clipboard02s.png (http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/2176/clipboard02s.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on April 10, 2010, 04:35:17 PM
Yeah London's freeway network is REALLY underdeveloped for a city its size. However more locally, Ontario is getting opinions on our third section of four lane highway.. this means that we should see a complete four lane highway on highway 11/17 sometime before 2050 (sounds long but we've needed one since 1970). Also construction starts on our first ever freeway/interchange this summer!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 12, 2010, 11:49:35 AM
Quote from: un1 on April 10, 2010, 04:35:17 PM
Yeah London's freeway network is REALLY underdeveloped for a city its size

True, and London can no longer get a freeway to serve local traffic.  That time has come and gone.

This is just a vision of mine of where the 402 should have gone. In fact, the 402 was supposed to go through the city, not around it, but the city rejected all freeway plans. Most politicians consider London a small town, when in reality we're actually a pretty sizable city and the need for a freeway to service local traffic was always there.

There's also a urban growth boundary which does not extend to the 400-series (just a small portion along the 401 that has already been developed)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwebmap.london.ca%2FMapServer%2FTemp%2Fcol_17959838_0.gif&hash=a9402f1c5a6011600f5c48c88c5ce089c47c6f99)

Regarding my freeway plan, there's a rumor that the MTO plans to extend the 403 from the 401 to connect to the 402 west of London. This will help reduce congestion on the 401 between the 402 and 403 and provide connections for areas north of London. Adding a freeway in west London and finishing the Veteran's Memorial Parkway will complete London's system, but the goal of these roads serving local traffic will not be reached.

Map of proposed routes for southern Ontario:
-Note the amount of proposed routes around London.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F3e%2FExpressway-network-future.png%2F800px-Expressway-network-future.png&hash=9c442d23472988dca4e89ade896201b521fbae47)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on April 12, 2010, 02:14:04 PM
I've only driven around London on one occasion and that was to stay with friends at Mount Brydges. On that occasion the route of 402 was of great help. If 402 had gone round the north of London it would have meant using surface roads.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 13, 2010, 10:23:42 AM
Quote from: Truvelo on April 12, 2010, 02:14:04 PM
I've only driven around London on one occasion and that was to stay with friends at Mount Brydges. On that occasion the route of 402 was of great help. If 402 had gone round the north of London it would have meant using surface roads.

Well of course it makes zero sense to rip out that part of highway that I scribbled out.  Remember that's just a vision and should not be taken literally, it's just there to make you think.  The 402 will stay where it is, its the 403 that now needs to be extended in order to make this system a reality (which I don't think will ever happen).
Title: MOVED: Ontario's Highways - Widenings
Post by: Alps on April 14, 2010, 10:46:16 PM
The latest post (desired widenings) was moved to Fictional Highways (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?board=20) because it's a wish list.  See link below:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 15, 2010, 10:23:16 AM
Quote from: AlpsROADS on April 14, 2010, 10:46:16 PM
The latest post (desired widenings) was moved to Fictional Highways (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?board=20) because it's a wish list.  See link below:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0)

Hmm, I don't understand why you moved it, as a lot of these projects are planned to be completed in the next 20 years.  It's not really fiction, its going to be reality.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 15, 2010, 10:17:19 PM
Quote from: haljackey on April 15, 2010, 10:23:16 AM
Quote from: AlpsROADS on April 14, 2010, 10:46:16 PM
The latest post (desired widenings) was moved to Fictional Highways (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?board=20) because it's a wish list.  See link below:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2690.0)

Hmm, I don't understand why you moved it, as a lot of these projects are planned to be completed in the next 20 years.  It's not really fiction, its going to be reality.
Desired widenings is different from planned widenings.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Hellfighter on April 16, 2010, 04:15:21 PM
How much are the tolls on the 407?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: un1 on April 16, 2010, 04:25:14 PM
Quote from: Hellfighter on April 16, 2010, 04:15:21 PM
How much are the tolls on the 407?

About 21.35¢/km for an average car but instead of copying the whole list you can see it here (http://www.407etr.com/about/custserv_fees.asp).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 16, 2010, 06:28:27 PM
Quote from: Hellfighter on April 16, 2010, 04:15:21 PM
How much are the tolls on the 407?

I got a bill of $53.01 traveling from the eastern terminus (Brock Road) to the 400 stack interchange.

I'll never use it again.  I'll just take the world's busiest highway as an alternative.  Time is money I guess.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mightyace on April 16, 2010, 06:45:59 PM
Quote from: un1 on April 16, 2010, 04:25:14 PM
About 21.35¢/km for an average car but instead of copying the whole list you can see it here (http://www.407etr.com/about/custserv_fees.asp).

On the page it says:
QuoteIMPORTANT: a $50.00 FLAT TOLL CHARGE PER TRIP is billed to any light vehicles without a transponder
  whose rear licence plate is not visible to, or recognizable by our toll system.

If they can see or read the rear license plate, how on earth are they going to find you to charge you the $50.00 penalty?  :confused:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mightyace on April 16, 2010, 06:51:39 PM
Quote from: haljackey on April 16, 2010, 06:28:27 PM
I got a bill of $53.01 traveling from the eastern terminus (Brock Road) to the 400 stack interchange.

How on earth did they figure that out?  Their website say the trip you took is $12.12 one-way during peak hours plus a $2.50 fee per billing period.

IMHO It looks like you may have been ripped off.

EDIT:
And their website is dain-bramaged.  Their interactive maps works in IE but not Firefox even though I have the latest version of the flash plug in for each.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 22, 2010, 11:31:21 AM
Here's something a little different:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F5%2F5b%2FVeterans_Memorial_Parkway%252C_London%252C_Ontario.jpg%2F800px-Veterans_Memorial_Parkway%252C_London%252C_Ontario.jpg&hash=d6c56ec8132d4e05cf1cd532f8cecd810fc22c00)

That's the Veterans Memorial Parkway, a 4 lane at-grade expressway in London.  The road used to be two lanes and clogged with traffic for a long time.  The lack of funding during the upgrade meant interchanges were not built and thus intersections remained.  If you drive on it you'll see tons of skid marks on the road due to cars slamming on the breaks when a light turns red.  It sucks, but it is better than it used to be.

Because today is Earth Day, a massive tree-planting project is underway along the route to "put more park in the parkway".

This route has also had 3 different names over the years (Highway 100, Airport Road, and the Veterans Memorial Parkway).  I guess they couldn't make up their mind.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: iwishiwascanadian on April 29, 2010, 09:35:32 PM
Does anyone know about Onthighways.com?  I look every week or so, and the site is dead, but canhighways.com is still up.  I miss my Ontario Highway news. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 29, 2010, 11:37:31 PM
Quote from: iwishiwascanadian on April 29, 2010, 09:35:32 PM
Does anyone know about Onthighways.com?  I look every week or so, and the site is dead, but canhighways.com is still up.  I miss my Ontario Highway news. 

See: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ontroads/message/17894
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on April 30, 2010, 11:26:18 AM
I hope the broken links on CanHighways.com will be fixed.  Bookmarked the page just in case though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: joseph1723 on April 30, 2010, 02:51:01 PM
Here's another link to Onthighways.com I found that also works:

http://onthighw.dot5hosting.com/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Hellfighter on May 07, 2010, 04:38:00 PM
Anyone know the progress on the northern expansion of the 400?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: iwishiwascanadian on May 07, 2010, 09:17:29 PM
Thanks rickmastfan67!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: DanTheMan414 on May 09, 2010, 01:23:38 AM
Quote from: iwishiwascanadian on April 29, 2010, 09:35:32 PM
Does anyone know about Onthighways.com?  I look every week or so, and the site is dead, but canhighways.com is still up.  I miss my Ontario Highway news.  

Specifically, here's the new URL for OntHighways:

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/

All of the corresponding links on CanHighways.com to pages on OntHighways have been updated to reflect this, too.  
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on May 09, 2010, 04:11:25 PM
Went to Toronto for a day trip yesterday from London. It was a crappy day but I got some pictures. I thought I may as well share them here with you.

Hilly section
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fc%2Fc9%2FHighway_401_Dorchester_Swamp.jpg%2F800px-Highway_401_Dorchester_Swamp.jpg&hash=c3a6aff5e2b52bad965b17f38dfcd12760dacb52)

Construction between Woodstock and Kitchener, widening the highway from 4 to 6 lanes:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fe%2Fe2%2F401_construction_4-6_lanes.jpg%2F800px-401_construction_4-6_lanes.jpg&hash=08453e8edbabf7bd68b18a457fde8c91abd80a29)

Pedestrian overpass in Kitchener. Further downhill is the bridge over the Grand River which is visible in this photo.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2F3%2F3d%2FHighway_401_Grand_River.jpg%2F800px-Highway_401_Grand_River.jpg&hash=ca7fa3cbdd2ccf709b2d0a512b7c7857ef7d03aa)

On Highway 427 now heading to the Gardiner Expressway.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fd%2Fdc%2F427_to_Gardiner-QEW.jpg%2F800px-427_to_Gardiner-QEW.jpg&hash=0a20ffb9bdb314d19fd409569ce29c5c6c97e888)

Looking at the CN Tower as we exit the Gardiner onto Spadina Avenue.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fd%2Fd5%2FGardiner_Expressway_Downtown_Toronto.jpg%2F800px-Gardiner_Expressway_Downtown_Toronto.jpg&hash=5a790bf9c9c284df87593c990c7f4f65ac8979d2)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on May 10, 2010, 07:12:29 PM
haljackey, can you please compress your photos some before posting them here in a thread?

4MB+ is still a killer even with people having broadband when you have to try to load 9 different ones at the same time.

Also, it makes some browsers stutter really badly when you have use javascript to resize 3000x2000 or bigger pictures.

Bigger isn't always better.  So, please consider resizing your pictures manually to the 800 width limit before you upload so you can attach them to a forum.  People around the world will appreciate it.

Remember, you can always add a link to the higher-res version below the smaller version.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on May 10, 2010, 07:50:21 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on May 10, 2010, 07:12:29 PM
haljackey, can you please compress your photos some before posting them here in a thread?

Gah! I thought the site automatically compressed the images to 800px. Guess it simply squeezes the images to 800 but keeps the original filesize.

Thanks for catching that. I did some work with the post above, cropping and resizing the photos.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on May 10, 2010, 08:14:13 PM
Quote from: haljackey on May 10, 2010, 07:50:21 PM
Gah! I thought the site automatically compressed the images to 800px.

no, alas.  it would be cool if there was some kind of protocol that asked the server to do that, but when you do "width=X" (or its HTML equivalent in the img tag) it does the resize on the browser side.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on May 12, 2010, 05:45:07 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on May 10, 2010, 08:14:13 PMno, alas.  it would be cool if there was some kind of protocol that asked the server to do that, but when you do "width=X" (or its HTML equivalent in the img tag) it does the resize on the browser side.

I have blocked at least one person's avatar for this reason--the board itself has fairly strict size requirements for local avatars, but they don't apply to avatars hosted elsewhere and I want easy page loads.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: xcellntbuy on May 12, 2010, 10:38:37 AM
I have not been to Toronto or traveled the Gardiner Expressway since 1983.  I see from the downtown photos that the old flat yellow streetlights have been replaced.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on May 12, 2010, 11:19:50 AM
Quote from: xcellntbuy on May 12, 2010, 10:38:37 AM
I have not been to Toronto or traveled the Gardiner Expressway since 1983.  I see from the downtown photos that the old flat yellow streetlights have been replaced.

Maybe not, but the scenery has sure changed. All kinds of new condominium towers have been built very close to the elevated highway.

It may not look like it in that shot, but the Gardiner isn't in the best shape. The thing looks like crap from the surface. There's been talk of demolishing it because maintaining it is getting expensive and it's an eyesore, cutting off the waterfront from downtown (sort of like wrong side of the tracks). If it is demolished, it would be replaced with a 8 or 10 lane landscaped boulevard with pedestrian overpasses.

I think the best alternative is to move it underground. Yes, I know Boston's Big Dig went way overbudget, but we can learn from those mistakes. In addition, only the elevated section would need to be tunneled which is not nearly as the one in Boston.

There have been all sorts of other suggestions, such as adding another "green" deck above the expressway with bike paths, tennis courts and whatnot. An even more extreme vision is to build a viaduct which would add to the Toronto skyline but would be very pricey.

Examples:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecoki.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgardiner-expressway.jpg&hash=a69df92684aa47f9a7b634e311fe1a096c717325)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftorontoist.com%2Fattachments%2FBrendaPetroff%2F20090623gardiner01.jpg&hash=d315f5418cd8fce3b95d72e51aa3bdedc6bb993d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bricoleurbanism.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F05%2F1A_Parliament_St_and_Waterfront_Blvd-e.jpg&hash=ba6d3baef28ff0f477f450edc3da4ac35f1061d7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toviaduct.com%2Finside%2Fimage010.jpg&hash=9f758658b25e8c2aa2b3a89c596d297d3248b894)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Truvelo on May 12, 2010, 11:43:37 AM
I think in all probability the two most likely options are to replace it with a surface boulevard or just leave it as it is. A tunnel is too expensive, especially in the current shaky economic conditions. A jungle on top of the existing deck will also be expensive and won't provide any additional capacity so value for money is poor.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: iwishiwascanadian on May 12, 2010, 02:32:45 PM
If Toronto can't get Transit City fully funded, how could rebuilding/demolishing/replacing the Gardiner occur?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on May 30, 2010, 10:13:40 PM
Here's something new:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2Fthumb%2Fc%2Fca%2FOrange_Lane_Markings.jpg%2F800px-Orange_Lane_Markings.jpg&hash=393ba74c44183c80d2d567e698fdc0f486a40563)

Ontario now uses florescent orange lane markings in construction zones along the 400-series and other major highways. I believe the first major use of this was last year. It has received a ton of positive feedback from motorists and construction workers alike, because it makes drivers more aware that they are in a construction zone, making it safer.

Ontario is the first place in North America to use this. It is used all over Europe, however some countries use yellow markings instead.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: xcellntbuy on May 31, 2010, 11:44:13 AM
Excellent idea. :clap:

The use of fluorescent orange markings on south Florida's highways would be a VERY welcome change, especially as we have entered wet season.  It can be mighty difficult to see dotted lines driving in our notoriously heavy rainstorms.

Let's hope this type of positive sight-enhancement will work its way into the USA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on May 31, 2010, 10:43:24 PM
Quote from: xcellntbuy on May 31, 2010, 11:44:13 AM
Excellent idea. :clap:

The use of fluorescent orange markings on south Florida's highways would be a VERY welcome change, especially as we have entered wet season.  It can be mighty difficult to see dotted lines driving in our notoriously heavy rainstorms.

Let's hope this type of positive sight-enhancement will work its way into the USA.

If it does, I would only think it would show up for construction zones.  Just like you see in the picture at the King's Highway 427/QEW interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on June 15, 2010, 10:59:08 AM
Here's an interesting chart I found comparing various interchange types for the Highway 407 extension.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg517.imageshack.us%2Fimg517%2F303%2Fclipboard08m.png&hash=601789adaef9e4f1b87d18ed6a202a73b919682d)

There's good news and bad news about the 407 extension. The good news is that it will be 100% controlled by the province (unlike the rest of the toll highway) and that the EA for the extension has been approved. The bad news is that only about half of the proposed extension is going to get built. Perhaps in the future the final part of the highway will be built linking it to Highways 35 and 115 east of Oshawa on the eastern fringe of the Greater Toronto Area.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 02, 2010, 10:29:36 PM
Traveled to the Falls for Canada Day, took some pics on the way.

Looking at Highway 401 westbound from Highbury Avenue in London.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4073%2F4755297346_c297c98ac7_b.jpg&hash=0a8649296654cf5483e08730d4ad444940440eee)

Heading onto Highway 401 eastbound from Highbury Avenue
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4115%2F4754810849_259238bd85_b.jpg&hash=c28872aeabe278f92a735b2a6c9a4a3046324ff8)

The famous "hilly" segments of the 401 between London and Ingersoll
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4081%2F4755311398_551c0320c2_b.jpg&hash=416f35f2ee0dbe12448bdc7332a4731f9101db30)

On Highway 403 now near the Grand River.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4120%2F4754660361_e7f2b83126_b.jpg&hash=a7cbc67c0b26476072deb40b1105e46adc45743f)

Looking at the Niagara bound Queen Elizabeth Way from the Red Hill Valley Parkway interchange in Hamilton.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4135%2F4755303806_3696c7ee2b_b.jpg&hash=cca15b4fdf69cdd96edc1f449ba2c2c588dc0d5e)

Highway 420's expressway portion in Niagara Falls.
-This is a rare exception for the 400-Series highways. Nearly all segments are freeways.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4101%2F4754666503_d0a87be785_b.jpg&hash=3f6aa2187d259ccb31cde555d3b786db10c57930)

Highway 420's terminus at Falls Avenue, near the Rainbow Bridge crossing to the USA.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.static.flickr.com%2F4117%2F4755309200_c691deff74_b.jpg&hash=fcd789c07f42f697d29e7b42d7fb9eb9f2fb3fc9)

Anyways hope you enjoyed the pics! It's always a fun time in Niagara Falls on Canada Day!  :nod:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on July 03, 2010, 06:51:17 AM
Quote from: haljackey on July 02, 2010, 10:29:36 PM
Highway 420's expressway portion in Niagara Falls.
-This is a rare exception for the 400-Series highways. Nearly all segments are freeways.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4754666503_d0a87be785_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4754666503_d0a87be785_b.jpg)

Highway 420's terminus at Falls Avenue, near the Rainbow Bridge crossing to the USA.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4755309200_c691deff74_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4755309200_c691deff74_b.jpg)

I assume you didn't notice that Niagara Region 420 shield (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096087,-79.085265&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096086,-79.085112&panoid=-iHVLGMZFmDWm1_o6tQe5A&cbp=12,134.62,,2,0.31) @ the intersection of {420} and \102/ (Stanley Ave) or the {420} ENDS BGS (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096267,-79.091467&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096264,-79.091347&panoid=_mAbTmWECQ2PE3XBArTCEg&cbp=12,130.72,,2,-8.23) on the Portage Rd overpass?  King's Highway 420 now officially ends at that intersection.  There is no longer a connecting link connecting it to the Rainbow Bridge.  It's been like this for a few years now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 03, 2010, 07:54:59 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on July 03, 2010, 06:51:17 AM
I assume you didn't notice that Niagara Region 420 shield (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096087,-79.085265&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096086,-79.085112&panoid=-iHVLGMZFmDWm1_o6tQe5A&cbp=12,134.62,,2,0.31) @ the intersection of {420} and \102/ (Stanley Ave) or the {420} ENDS BGS (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096267,-79.091467&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096264,-79.091347&panoid=_mAbTmWECQ2PE3XBArTCEg&cbp=12,130.72,,2,-8.23) on the Portage Rd overpass?  King's Highway 420 now officially ends at that intersection.  There is no longer a connecting link connecting it to the Rainbow Bridge.  It's been like this for a few years now.

I looked into it. Turns out Highway 420 turns into Regional Road 420 past Stanley Ave.

Also, a lot of the 420 shields are stolen because of 420 (April 20th), lol!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mgk920 on July 04, 2010, 12:07:52 AM
Quote from: haljackey on July 03, 2010, 07:54:59 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on July 03, 2010, 06:51:17 AM
I assume you didn't notice that Niagara Region 420 shield (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096087,-79.085265&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096086,-79.085112&panoid=-iHVLGMZFmDWm1_o6tQe5A&cbp=12,134.62,,2,0.31) @ the intersection of {420} and \102/ (Stanley Ave) or the {420} ENDS BGS (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.096267,-79.091467&spn=0,0.013937&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.096264,-79.091347&panoid=_mAbTmWECQ2PE3XBArTCEg&cbp=12,130.72,,2,-8.23) on the Portage Rd overpass?  King's Highway 420 now officially ends at that intersection.  There is no longer a connecting link connecting it to the Rainbow Bridge.  It's been like this for a few years now.

I looked into it. Turns out Highway 420 turns into Regional Road 420 past Stanley Ave.

Also, a lot of the 420 shields are stolen because of 420 (April 20th), lol!

Actually, '420' is lingo in some USA police agencies for pot possession.

:meh:

:spin:

Mike
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on July 04, 2010, 02:11:16 AM
Oh, and once again Hal, I just noticed this, but try to use images in the forum that are resized to 800 width on your end instead of trying to use the browser to resize them via JavaScript. ;)  Just look at the top of this page. ;)  If there is a 800 width already version on your Flicker page, use that instead of the 1024 version's link which the browser has to resize and makes it stutter going over the pictures.  Just a friendly reminder on that. ;)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/Smileys/default/winking0006.gif)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 08, 2010, 10:40:36 AM
I'll have to remember that. I keep seeming to think the site resizes them, but it simply compresses the images to 800 pixels wide.

Here's a video I made showing some of the highways in London, Ontario: the Highbury Extenstion, Highway 401 and Highway 402.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFXvbx8bnTE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFXvbx8bnTE)

Hope you enjoy it!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: triplemultiplex on July 15, 2010, 01:27:22 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on July 04, 2010, 12:07:52 AM
Actually, '420' is lingo in some USA police agencies for pot possession.

:meh:

Nope, 420 has nothing to do with cops.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_%28cannabis_culture%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_%28cannabis_culture%29)
It's one of the most pervasive urban myths in our culture.
http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.asp (http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.asp)

That's right a group of high school stoners got the whole world to snicker over what amounts to a random number.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on August 06, 2010, 10:59:45 AM
Some new photos of Highway 401 I took on a trip from London to Windsor.

6 lanes and a concrete surface. To my knowledge, this is the only part of Highway 401 that is concrete. I hate concrete as it is bumpy, but the drive was exceptionally smooth compared to the US Interstates.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F9426%2Fdsc00510s.jpg&hash=621519edabc4f75457f899a1659e93974d323916)

The 401 is being reconstructed in Windsor in preparation for the Windsor-Essex Parkway.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg717%2F6364%2Fdsc00516ij.jpg&hash=2664ead1e00e1db4467c55e7f6a88dd48c950859)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg203%2F6472%2F48602311353f3a6d300cb80.jpg&hash=de19ae1977dbf3e8fb98e1de9c7598f348396b8b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg830%2F4075%2F486015258102fb6cc9c9b.jpg&hash=e270b559f6deba4068cc8a0af7eac087f3bc7a33)

One of the new ONroute service centres on the 400-Series. This one is near Tilbury.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F4759%2Fdsc00507v.jpg&hash=ef2a3c8e2cf7ef5de9a4e72b5a9597201cf016a3)


...And that's it for now. Most of the drive between Windsor and London is pretty boring, and drivers seem to lose focus here and there. Thus, accidents happen here regularly.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: The Premier on August 06, 2010, 03:18:03 PM
Is it standard in Ontario not to have exit tabs on new signs, especially when it's an exit only like this:
Quote from: haljackey on August 06, 2010, 10:59:45 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F9426%2Fdsc00510s.jpg&hash=621519edabc4f75457f899a1659e93974d323916)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Bickendan on August 06, 2010, 05:56:45 PM
Quote from: haljackey on August 06, 2010, 10:59:45 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg203%2F6472%2F48602311353f3a6d300cb80.jpg&hash=de19ae1977dbf3e8fb98e1de9c7598f348396b8b)
According to this sign, if you speak English, you'll take the bridge to the US. If you speak French, you'll end up in the European Union! :pan:

(E.U. = Etats Unis in French)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cu2010 on August 06, 2010, 07:29:39 PM
Quote from: The Premier on August 06, 2010, 03:18:03 PM
Is it standard in Ontario not to have exit tabs on new signs, especially when it's an exit only like this:

Ontario typically only puts the exit tab on the advance guide signage; the signs at the actual exit typically do not have tabs.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 06, 2010, 07:38:12 PM
Quote from: cu2010 on August 06, 2010, 07:29:39 PM
Quote from: The Premier on August 06, 2010, 03:18:03 PM
Is it standard in Ontario not to have exit tabs on new signs, especially when it's an exit only like this:

Ontario typically only puts the exit tab on the advance guide signage; the signs at the actual exit typically do not have tabs.

That's kinda stupid if you ask me.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: iwishiwascanadian on August 06, 2010, 08:00:33 PM
I wrote to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation about the lack of exit tabs.  I received a response that went along lines of saying that most people don't have a problem with the lack of exit tabs, it really bothers me though.  I have seen some exit tabs (in photos) up along Highway 400 and the 404. 

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: joseph1723 on August 07, 2010, 02:01:07 AM
Quote from: cu2010 on August 06, 2010, 07:29:39 PM
Quote from: The Premier on August 06, 2010, 03:18:03 PM
Is it standard in Ontario not to have exit tabs on new signs, especially when it's an exit only like this:

Ontario typically only puts the exit tab on the advance guide signage; the signs at the actual exit typically do not have tabs.

Yep, Ontario usually only posts exit tabs on advanced signs but I've seen some advanced signs that were also missing exit tabs too. Ontario also didn't post exit tabs even on advanced signs when the BGS was mounted on a cantilever structure until recently when they started cramming it on the upper right corner of the BGS:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg576%2F9520%2Fp7250203.jpg&hash=27a2df493e7466bf73a46977456f16b83d157b38)

I've only seen a few exit signs in Ontario that had tabs but they were usually ones that didn't have a advanced sign because the ramp was too close to another interchange.

I like seeing exit tabs being placed on exit signage but I also remember reading that apparently most drivers in Ontario don't know what the exit tab means of something like that so I guess that's why MTO dosen't bother putting up exit tabs on exit signage.




Here's a couple of pics showing some new lane markings on Highway 401 to better notify drivers that they're in a exit only lane and to make changing lanes right before the gore illegal:

New arrows on the pavement to mark the exit only lane and the optional lane:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F3627%2Fp7250211.jpg&hash=35245e4f10309c5aeebd31bbdefb3863cedf42bc)

New lane striping with a solid white line on the right and a dashed line on the left to only allow drivers to enter the exit only lane but not exit at the last moment:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.imageshack.us%2Fimg828%2F4782%2Fp7250213.jpg&hash=46442a77995e087f545edf322c1c2798c548aa18)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on August 08, 2010, 08:17:23 PM
By exit tab, do you mean advance signage? If not, please enlighten me.

(I still have a lot when it comes to road terminology it seems lol)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: iwishiwascanadian on August 08, 2010, 09:42:40 PM
Quote from: haljackey on August 08, 2010, 08:17:23 PM
By exit tab, do you mean advance signage? If not, please enlighten me.

(I still have a lot when it comes to road terminology it seems lol)

A exit tab is the tab on top of a Big Green Sign that shows something along the lines of EXIT XX.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: joseph1723 on August 08, 2010, 10:46:34 PM
Quote from: iwishiwascanadian on August 08, 2010, 09:42:40 PM
Quote from: haljackey on August 08, 2010, 08:17:23 PM
By exit tab, do you mean advance signage? If not, please enlighten me.

(I still have a lot when it comes to road terminology it seems lol)

A exit tab is the tab on top of a Big Green Sign that shows something along the lines of EXIT XX.

Yep the exit tabs in Ontario are also tabs mounted on top of the BGS that's show the exit # on it, the ones here don't have EXIT on them though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Tom on September 26, 2010, 08:21:34 PM
Here's a nice webpage I discovered about heritage bridges in Ontario, Canada:
http://www.historicbridges.org/map_ont.htm :coffee:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 16, 2011, 08:48:08 AM
These are some photos I took of a new section of Ontario's Highway 11 back in August.

I have taken more recent photos then this, however I haven't put them online yet.  This is a section of new four lane freeway that opened to traffic in September.  It was opened as part of a project to four-lane Highway 11 between Barrie and North Bay.  This project is on track to be substantially complete next year.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_dv_288_north_Aug11.jpg&hash=e23c00c4a45f2afebef2aeeef78456da2918991e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_288_south_Aug11.jpg&hash=bdd676ebaf0789fa6a96aa0fb4f1ee8977990743)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_288_north_Aug11_t.jpg&hash=f6121f7592cbc7bc8f3efb95f415e7f696dd453c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_289_south_Aug11.jpg&hash=53d66777247ae2d6103b86d6ec614c7f0df01d7a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_289_north_Aug11.jpg&hash=7794d1a8d4a6f965324af06b8df6d138c76018de)

I post larger versions on my website, all of these photos came from here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/hwy11_Sundridge.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/hwy11_Sundridge.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on October 17, 2011, 09:54:31 PM
Does anyone have a photo of the "Allow 2 chevrons between cars" (or whatever the wording was) signs on Hwy 401? And when were they removed? I remember seeing those in the early 2000's, and there were only a handful of actual chevrons left on the pavement when I came back last weekend.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 17, 2011, 10:37:15 PM
^ I don't unfortunately.  It's a shame, the signs in Durham Region were still standing when I started taking highway photos all of those years ago, but by the time it finally occurred to me to take a photo of one of those signs, they had already been removed.

What brought you through Ontario?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on October 18, 2011, 07:37:29 PM
A friend of mine had a tournament in Scarborough, and wanted to split the gas and motel room, so I joined him. I did bring my camera, but most of my shots are rather blurry due to the rain and sunset. Also took the occasion to clinch a few roads in the GTA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 19, 2011, 11:14:19 PM
^ I am sorry that your trip to Toronto included Scarborough.  You probably didn't notice, but Toronto really is a nice City. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on October 20, 2011, 08:53:22 PM
Very. I took the occasion to clinch the Gardiner and Don Valley Pkwy. Didn't mind the traffic jam, was too busy staring at stuff like the CN Tower. I also worked on getting the subway partly clinched. I enjoyed my time there. I'll probably aim for the Niagara region next time.

The eastern portions of the 401 (between Ajax and Gananoque, I'd say) still has a lot of relatively old signs. It was a long but cool drive.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2011, 05:50:56 PM
The MTO called a contract to replace some of the guide signage along the 401 in Eastern Ontario.  I have no idea which signs or how many, but I suspect some more of the old angled edge signs will be replaced.

Niagara is a neat part of Ontario.  Some of Ontario's more interesting urban roads are in both Hamilton and Niagara.  The Falls themselves are cool, but the area that surrounds them is a pretty big tourist trap.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2013, 08:02:01 AM
Some new Windsor Essex Parkway photos.  This is the project that will link Hwy 401 to a new downriver bridge across the Detroit River.  I found this on another forum that I read, so they aren't mine.

source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsordi/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/windsordi/)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8050%2F8394169406_ad0fc5c5aa_h.jpg&hash=a601189b3c212111eb7ca089dea16eadafc86572)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8080%2F8394168178_f646204c68_h.jpg&hash=1391a0f6ced13f688ec7c24d07674876b796de2a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8219%2F8394166792_53b7b4dcbb_h.jpg&hash=76ccaefedb23ea54e86ac6953ebf91d0ad9c1ec1)



Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on January 25, 2013, 06:50:14 PM
I drove through this yesterday but unfortunately my windows were too dirty for good views.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on February 11, 2013, 11:14:48 AM
The Windsor - Essex Pkwy has been renamed  Rt. Hon. (Right Honourable) Herb Gray  Pkwy.  Here is an Excellent flicker page of the ongoing construction. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgparkway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hgparkway)
Title: Re: Ontario\'s Highways
Post by: amroad17 on February 14, 2013, 02:15:41 AM
So ON 401 will follow ON 3/Huron Church Road to EC Row Expy west past its end and cross the Detroit River to I-75 in the Detroit southern suburbs?  THAT would save a lot of time crossing into Canada (or vice versa) than dealing with the Ambassador Bridge crossing.

BTW, will this new pkwy be designated ON 401?

Post Merge: February 14, 2013, 06:52:32 PM

Before writing, I really should look at particular subjects like this on Wikipedia, where I can have questions in my prior post answered. :banghead:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on February 14, 2013, 11:32:58 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on February 14, 2013, 02:15:41 AM
So ON 401 will follow ON 3/Huron Church Road to EC Row Expy west past its end and cross the Detroit River to I-75 in the Detroit southern suburbs?  THAT would save a lot of time crossing into Canada (or vice versa) than dealing with the Ambassador Bridge crossing.

BTW, will this new pkwy be designated ON 401?

Yes it will be posted as ON-401. The parkway is from ON-401/3 jct to border. As for tolls, they will be collected on the Ontario side just past the customs plaza for both directions.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: burneraccount on February 14, 2013, 02:35:50 PM
That's a lot of exit number tabs they have to change!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on February 14, 2013, 03:00:14 PM
They won't have to change any.  ON 401 presently starts its "mileage" (and hence exit numbers) with 13 being the end at ON 3.  They'll just extend the numbers backwards from that point.  There's enough room to absorb the length of the parkway, which is roughly 11-12 km long.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on February 23, 2013, 12:00:52 PM
Quote from: deanej on February 14, 2013, 03:00:14 PM
They won't have to change any.  ON 401 presently starts its "mileage" (and hence exit numbers) with 13 being the end at ON 3.  They'll just extend the numbers backwards from that point.  There's enough room to absorb the length of the parkway, which is roughly 11-12 km long.

Correct. The 401 was always planned to be connected to a border crossing so must have they started the KM markings at the current start of the highway to fit it in.
-Or, this could have been put in during the changeover from imperial to metric measurements.

Without a new border crossing, this will be a highway to nowhere. Hope it gets underway soon.

The Daily Show did a funny sketch about the new border crossing last month: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-january-9-2013/bridge-to-canada
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 23, 2013, 07:51:28 PM
A couple of new photos of Ontario highways:

These photos are from the former Hwy 511 in eastern Ontario.  This is at the Madawaska River, which is one of the principle rivers in eastern Ontario:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F511_cl_62-9_north.jpg&hash=998394246909af8fdf25ddb2a7ef13a019e775eb)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F511_structure_63_east.jpg&hash=07712b512e818a4589a81e4fd04c08889ab05dd5)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F511_cl_63_south.jpg&hash=3fd4b9bb0752847dfed46d75935902cebd124407)

Hwy 41's Madawaska River crossing, further upstream:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_40-49_images%2F41_cl_Madawaska.jpg&hash=c0f2b95030dc2f2e951ed1089d71632dd6822255)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_40-49_images%2F41_structure_Madawaska.jpg&hash=c1f3d76875f41eb804f2299d42f9cfdea14974e2)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 27, 2013, 01:16:58 PM
A couple more photos.  These are from a scenic stretch of Hwy 522 (which is generally not that scenic of a highway) in Central Ontario:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F522_cl_26-5_east.jpg&hash=6f168fb321f27aeb027c77557b81748dfbc457e7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F522_cl_26-7_east.jpg&hash=2a5f13ad4361fae3d94b6cf3dbaec03422bc5494)

This old rounded corner sign likely dates back to the completion of the 1970s era Ess Narrows Bridge
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F522_sign_EssNarrows.jpg&hash=f374940fb1225fec49a3d514cf5cbd16ab98ea53)

Ess Narrows:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_500-549_images%2F522_cl_27-1_west.jpg&hash=8a0968d6327cb1b87153b86442b754ea19c7810a)

More and larger:
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/secondary/hwy_500-549_images/Hwy522_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/secondary/hwy_500-549_images/Hwy522_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 11, 2013, 11:09:07 PM
Some new Ontario Highway photos, this time from Highway 7A, a scenic highway that runs through pleasant hills in Central Ontario, northeast of Toronto.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7A_cl_0-2_west.jpg&hash=64ad7870a448ebaad238ccc14b314d8c30be1aaa)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7A_cl_19_east_Jul12.jpg&hash=1e63cce8fa29337511b36e618e160c338dd6b168)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7A_cl_29_east.jpg&hash=b4d3aa069c6db4e81525a65dfa31c95a8ff47637)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7A_sign_BethanyDist.jpg&hash=3d8941d98bbcc40c69b1527da5a05dcca7c6067f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7A_cl_36_east_Jun12.jpg&hash=f0f6a285fe133d3b39f33788ac729f34b112757e)

If you'd ever like to see more of Hwy 7A then anybody could ever care to see, you can do so here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7A_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7A_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on March 22, 2013, 03:15:02 AM
Here's a must-see video I shot of Highway 407-ETR back in 1995 when it was under construction. Enjoy!

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2013, 07:16:17 PM
A small section of Hwy 28 is being realigned just east of Lakefield, ON.  This realignment will eliminate the turn at Peterborough Road 29 (former Highway 28 South) and by-passes a fairly tight reversing curve.  The new alignment is scheduled to be open by the fall.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_20-29_images%2F28_realignment.jpg&hash=0a2c3fb904f82828a8e492631009f21b5925b564)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on April 11, 2013, 11:37:02 AM
Still no responses to my vid. Sigh.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 11, 2013, 12:49:48 PM
^ I enjoyed your video.

It is not uncommon not to get responses after posting things on the interweb.  For example, nobody responded to any of the photos I posted above your video on the last page.  I think people see the content and probably enjoy looking at different photos and videos, but don't necessarily have anything to say about it after consuming the media.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 11, 2013, 11:28:42 PM
The new Detroit River International Crossing has gotten presidential approval: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2013/04/11/historic-moment-as-dric-bridge-gets-long-awaited-u-s-presidential-permit/

Construction is hoped to start just as the 401 extension winds down. Hopefully there are no more delays but as we all know another curveball could come at any time... probably from Matty Moroun.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on April 12, 2013, 10:32:57 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 11, 2013, 12:49:48 PM
^ I enjoyed your video.

It is not uncommon not to get responses after posting things on the interweb.  For example, nobody responded to any of the photos I posted above your video on the last page.  I think people see the content and probably enjoy looking at different photos and videos, but don't necessarily have anything to say about it after consuming the media.

True, but you'd think something like a vid of the initial 407 construction certainly would, especially when it's been posted on four sites, including You Tube. None have replies.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: agentsteel53 on April 12, 2013, 10:50:51 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on April 12, 2013, 10:32:57 AM
True, but you'd think something like a vid of the initial 407 construction certainly would, especially when it's been posted on four sites, including You Tube. None have replies.

if you really want, I can go over to YouTube and call you "LOL U OHMO", in line with their usual comment pattern.  it's probably not the sort of reaction you are going for.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 14, 2013, 10:15:51 PM
A few photos of Hwy 401 in the Greater Toronto Area

Looking both west and east from the Hurontario Street overpass.  Some of the high mast light standards in the median of the highway have been erected:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_cl_342_west_Apr13_forum.jpg&hash=5127fdd1dc0238c78999bd23c8e90aa8303e31bb)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_cl_342_east_Apr13_forum.jpg&hash=1909b1e8889d1340936f407f06cd9271ac6078b9)

The western side of the new Keele Street overpass.  The structure at Keele Street needs to be replaced due to the construction of a new hospital adjacent to MTO's Downsview Complex:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_structure_Dufferin_new.jpg&hash=18c4a0f43c8ad0ed3103001480d4087271ff2107)

The Don Valley Parkway was closed this weekend for maintenance:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_dv_DVP_closed.jpg&hash=0c810896cee0af19d1633f9a3fb2cf6e1866c552)

Westerly view through Oshawa, the sound barriers are being replaced through the city:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_cl_417-5_west_Apr13.jpg&hash=43f8cdfcb1bd56d26ea7704c2e7820829fc977b7)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_cl_417-5_east_Apr13.jpg&hash=0e4456c239a2cb0c5d2851f833aa5dcce104f5d7)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 16, 2013, 09:37:05 AM
GTA West Freeway:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2FGTA_West.jpg&hash=1d74f9a2f0daeb7ab55222109bbdc43ec9e35b57)
A third loop around the western edge of Toronto's suburbs.  Construction is far from immediate.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: sa230e on April 22, 2013, 01:45:30 AM
Here's a video I shot of the ongoing construction of the Herb Gray Parkway here in Windsor. I post on other forums but I'm new here. I thought people here might enjoy them as well. I try make a new one every time there's been a major accomplishment in the construction.

EDIT: Can't get embedding to work so here's the link:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on May 12, 2013, 07:47:39 AM
sa230e, I just fixed your post so that your video would be embedded. ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 28, 2013, 12:57:26 AM
A few new photos.  These photos are of a new bridge over the future eastern extension of Highway 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F407%2F7_407_cons_May13_9.jpg&hash=23ded748be83048c2db3d9c7050be5e41db35b72)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F407%2F7_407_cons_May13_2.jpg&hash=bac85097691f09cabf0658ce569c3abe750f85fa)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F407%2F7_407_cons_May13_5.jpg&hash=fe709a50328c1156da17db4a64c6cd8ac1b1509d)

More:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_Pickering_images.htm#May13 (http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_Pickering_images.htm#May13)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on May 30, 2013, 11:00:24 PM
I was watching the evening news when I saw this story http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/the-toll-of-two-municipalities-1.1304060 (http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/the-toll-of-two-municipalities-1.1304060)  The plan is not to twin OC-174 (old ON-17) to freeway, but to simply put a toll booth or electronic toll device at the intersection of OC-174 and Canaan Rd.  Which is also the border of United counties of Prescott - Russell and Regional Municipality of Ottawa - Carleton.  Not sure how this one is going to play out.  If the CTV Ottawa Web Poll is any indication, it won't.  The other opinion, is to have OC-174 from the Border of Prescott - Russell and ON-417/174 split, Uploaded back to the province.  This route of the former Trans-Can through the lower Ottawa Valley, is a major commuter and recreational artery.  The community of Rockland is a fast booming bedroom community, struggling to maintain and improve the roads, as well as dealing with the influx of Ottawa residence fleeing for the quite and tranquility that is Prescott - Russell.

This will be one to monitor.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 01, 2013, 08:39:19 AM
The City of Ottawa has been trying to get the province to assume responsibility for old Highway 17 for a number of years now.

There were stories in the newspaper last year about Ottawa Road 174's deteriorating condition and how the city felt it unfair that they now had to pay to reconstruct a road that was built by the province 50 years ago.

This was the closest link I could find to those articles:
http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/annualconference/tac2012/docs/session10/smith.pdf
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on June 08, 2013, 05:20:10 PM
Made a new timelapse driving video showing the Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener/Waterloo.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br3H76Sq_lA
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on June 10, 2013, 11:42:31 AM
Timelapse driving video of the what's often referred to as the world's busiest truck route




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moBrhJXe-a8
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on June 10, 2013, 05:21:42 PM
Interesting article in the Ottawa Sun. Looks like opposition is growing on the Kettle Island interprovincial bridge, an interesting alternative is that a tunnel is constructed connecting ON 417 with the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and A-5.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/06/05/councillors-want-tunnel-not-bridge

We'll see if it actually happens.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: xcellntbuy on June 10, 2013, 05:36:31 PM
Excellent video.  The Ontario provincial government (Quebec, too) really should think about raising the speed limit to 120 km/h on freeways like Ontario 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 12, 2013, 07:33:58 PM
I uploaded a few new pictures of the most recently completed section of Hwy 69 south of Sudbury tonight:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69N_cl_Scurvesouth_south_Aug12.jpg&hash=720664a99f1e77a8caaa120c18fe7db199b87001)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69N_cl_Lovering_south_Aug12.jpg&hash=bf5c30019ead212a3b6f964ab8e12ed1d707804a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69N_cl_637int_south_Aug12.jpg&hash=f80054321ef6f06837c82954d04cded23234abb5)

The whole collection (and some new photos from the two lane sections of highway) are available here:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm (http://"http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm")
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2013, 02:39:27 AM
Hwy 402, Sarnia.  Over the past few years, the MTO has been working to widen the westbound highway 402 approaching the Bluewater Bridge to provide queuing lanes for international traffic.  The project was finished late last year, and has yielded and interesting cross-section for traffic:

Some pictures:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F402_structure_2_west_Jul13.jpg&hash=4cef9d7dbfc12c5c326ed8d93bc99d5971d5c184)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F402_dv_2-5_west_Jul13.jpg&hash=19d1af1dc790187b9f97396f460b3c04902afb8a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F402_cl_2_west_WB_Jul13.jpg&hash=05f58a9b64384513302302acc37748ac4a9dab28)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F402_dv_5_west_Jul13.jpg&hash=d580d1632f85f426b8f82f3e6796cdec95b74be7)

More photos, and full size photos are available here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/Hwy402_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/Hwy402_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 13, 2013, 09:57:07 PM
A couple of new photos of the Highway 401 construction through Hurontario Street in Mississauga.  The small photos here, don't really do it justice, larger photos are available here:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm#Aug13 (http://"http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm#Aug13")

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_343_west_Aug13.jpg&hash=f63d15ce42f5dbe8fad488d864c54ed8c5702da5)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_343_west_WB_Aug13.jpg&hash=1845ca30a436c579bef725f5220ab983be6e038c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_343_east_c_Aug13.jpg&hash=4bdfe137d69af04564fb3782a9cd4c093e479b12)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F08-Aug%2F401_ramp_410_Aug13.jpg&hash=5d8ea3275ed95b13414900a5b1ccc5ea6dbbf0be)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 14, 2013, 04:56:19 PM
Another batch of new photos, this time from a new roundabout that was recently constructed west of Hamilton at the junctions of Highways 5 and 8.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_dv_28-6_east_May13.jpg&hash=4467da8ca67ab692dfd4a8beae1c43caedad8ec8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_dv_28-8_east_May13.jpg&hash=36e6456fe3a988088a4fde1055b61f4902754ff4)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_cl_29_east_May13.jpg&hash=6cc30774bdfbac4bb922ba20de4cbbcef06e6ca0)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_cl_29-1_west_May13.jpg&hash=8b6f215a8284f05bf9a421bc003c2277f472a44e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_sign_8_ends_east.jpg&hash=f4f740d595a03724dedf4291412b2e24a6027f5e)

As usual, more and larger:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy5_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy5_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 27, 2013, 12:21:19 PM
The widening of Highway 401 through the Hurontario Street interchange is finally substantially complete:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_341_east_w_Oct13.jpg&hash=a40dad3b0582105ad464694611d03de3f46e183e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_342_west_WB_Oct13.jpg&hash=4ae41da5ef49eca4d14bc046f6b4aad8eef8937e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F10-Oct%2F401_dv_344_east_Oct13_E.jpg&hash=4b81e29c8015e825207a3377142c099bd499b550)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHurontario%2F2013%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_343_east_WB_Oct13.jpg&hash=8a216b5878c4fb5ca5f162a6d2934a6cb71df238)

More and Larger:
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm#Oct13 (http://"http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm")
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 01, 2013, 11:58:23 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 14, 2013, 04:56:19 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F5_sign_8_ends_east.jpg&hash=f4f740d595a03724dedf4291412b2e24a6027f5e)

What's the story with the {8} end shield?  Are {5} & {8} now multiplexed for a very short distance because of the new roundabout?  If so, I need to go update my files for CHM with this info.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 02, 2013, 09:43:16 AM
That's correct, Hwy 8 follows Hwy 5 now because of the roundabout for a short distance.  This was seemingly done to ensure continuity between Highway 8 and Hamilton Road 8.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 02, 2013, 11:09:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 02, 2013, 09:43:16 AM
That's correct, Hwy 8 follows Hwy 5 now because of the roundabout for a short distance.  This was seemingly done to ensure continuity between Highway 8 and Hamilton Road 8.

Alright, I'll make the fixes to my {5} & {8}(Cam) files for CHM and submit them soon. ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 10, 2013, 10:56:58 AM
Some new photos of the Hwy 417 extension through Arnprior taken back in June:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_183-5_west_t_Jun13.jpg&hash=dd587a5d951fae233d55e1f623a19ce08a7ecfe2)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_183_east_Jun13.jpg&hash=c059a34b8e7de4f89b8a98401ec48da8939c952a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_181-25_east_Jun13.jpg&hash=180df55a0d27077e6ec05da27265deb431228d37)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_180-5_west_EB_t.jpg&hash=d8f92fda066d6b022df0ecf9697b95eb57a09d71)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_180_west_t_Jun13.jpg&hash=7b7fb8d054f4b4df6529bef90130a96e3f3a8a80)

More and larger:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy417_p4e_images.htm (http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy417_p4e_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on November 18, 2013, 10:40:01 PM
Just sent and email to the County of Northumberland.  The email states for a proposal to design/build a super 2 freeway from the JCT of ON-401 heading north, paralleling County Rd 30, towards the County Line of Peterborough just north of Campbellford.  This also calls for the cooperative agreement with Peterborough County to move the road to the eventual termination at ON-7. The proposal also calls for a super 2 freeway bypass of Campbellford to the south crossing the Trent River, from County Road 8 west to the JCT of the new road, then arcing northward.   This addresses a lot of issues with County Rd 30. 1.) A New 24hr sand and gravel industry as just started land clearing in Codrington to supply a growing development in the GTA and South Eastern Ontario.  2.) An increase in traffic heading north to Cottage Country, and a growing retirement communities of Warkworth and Campbellford as well as Brighton. 3.) Solve a long standing debate and battle in Campbellford for a new second crossing of the Trent.  4.) Take through trucks off the streets  of Campbellford, heading to either ON-7, and ON-401. Lastly 5.). address several high accident intersections that have claimed countless lives.  The Municipalities of both Brighton, and Trent Hills (Campbellford) are fast growing, and new industry is coming online in the near future.  Traffic is increasing and quick fixes are not solving the problem.  A new road would foster more development and better access to key destinations.   
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 20, 2013, 09:45:37 PM
As part of an upcoming highway rehabilitation project, the centreline of a small section of Hwy 401 will be moved 19m to the south at the Leslie Street interchange in North York.  Neat construction staging:

http://www.library.mto.gov.on.ca/webopac/getattachment.asp?passport=fa9ab928-be7c-4f02-8bac-ea8f9940a333&TemplateGUID=c36ec88e-067b-45b1-bbc9-cd42fe489177&RecordGUID=4ce76792-0be9-464c-8e0d-878d0093f39f&FieldGUID=eea74945-da4f-422e-800e-a53392110279&AttachmentIndex=0 (http://www.library.mto.gov.on.ca/webopac/getattachment.asp?passport=fa9ab928-be7c-4f02-8bac-ea8f9940a333&TemplateGUID=c36ec88e-067b-45b1-bbc9-cd42fe489177&RecordGUID=4ce76792-0be9-464c-8e0d-878d0093f39f&FieldGUID=eea74945-da4f-422e-800e-a53392110279&AttachmentIndex=0)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on January 22, 2014, 04:57:17 PM
If you want to drive on the current North Channel Bridge in Cornwall, you have a little over 24 hours to do it: http://www.pontcornwallbridge.ca/eng/?p=2258
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 10, 2014, 10:53:19 AM
Some new pictures:

Hwy 410:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy410_images.htm (http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy410_images.htm)

From high atop the expressway from the Hwy 401 ramp:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_0_north_high_May12.jpg&hash=40e3e80804f5047446a691b66706fbdbcdd81091)

Long Flyover
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_0-3_south_side_Aug13.jpg&hash=7a2ab8d54ce2f67379d52cf5bf7ecf8817f78fa2)

Some signage:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_dv_1_south_May12.jpg&hash=b6d13c091ec141a3dfc30554e5479124c5e97240)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_dv_4-5_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=735680ce5d916ffa370ffdc8b56adcf2379040a8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_dv_8_south.jpg&hash=cb2da5f7f76b0ce43fadd4f710198069d8c6f95f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_dv_8-5_north_May05_lg.jpg&hash=6ef03ef1a4a7e06869e354c124f0b022e423da9f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_dv_16-75_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=172909a75c10a4204f74dbdff282d00dcd1bfb70)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_18_south_Jun11.jpg&hash=65b5f6096dbd5df296c66aa651323b94ee693c1c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_12-1_south_Oct12.jpg&hash=d3b31f82d2ac1b7263882e69fea511b99b42f118)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_21_south_Oct13.jpg&hash=78986f7ae0b81591110695c67137e20a11592669)


Hwy 94:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_90-99_images/Hwy94_images.htm (http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_90-99_images/Hwy94_images.htm)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_90-99_images%2F94_cl_0_north_Jun12.jpg&hash=1c66e8c1931fb3a79f15bb9fb20393db7a64ca79)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fasphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_90-99_images%2F94_cl_0-5_north_Jun13.jpg&hash=5de1eac72386619f4553fc0074b3e146cc6d79ee)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 24, 2014, 06:08:56 PM
A couple of pictures of the 404 extension north of Toronto:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_cl_64-9_south_firstsign_Apr14_forum.jpg&hash=6d82c9d443ad16a5481f1d9a4ded9c89e9067b6c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_cl_61-5_north_forum_Apr14.jpg&hash=6b6aff4dd38044594f82b4b336bcd1287d2e8c24)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 24, 2014, 07:29:48 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 24, 2014, 06:08:56 PM
A couple of pictures of the 404 extension north of Toronto:

How close to it being opened do you think?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 24, 2014, 07:34:17 PM
Probably a few months, I think September is what is scheduled.  There were two contracts to build the highway.  Work is nearly finished on the northern portion of the highway, which is what I have pictured, but there is still a lot of work outstanding in order to complete the southern construction contract.

Long story short, September is likely.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2014, 04:16:24 PM
A couple of new pictures of the eastern extension of Highway 407 through Durham Region.  Taken today, by me:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F407E_Sideline16_structure_west_forum.jpg&hash=7ddb454d1c78b4601c79bf64b59c7c8645ff8f93)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F407E_WestDuffinsCk_east_forum.jpg&hash=262e4cfea6d0e4ccef2e35b3ee3e560af634f6fe)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 24, 2014, 11:02:24 AM
Some new pictures of the 401 extension in Windsor that were taken by me the other day:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_sign_HerbGrayPkw_May14_forum.jpg&hash=8f768e8d1928b1c6462526ad484cd44ef95aa38c)

Signage is coming up:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_sign_HuronChurch_May14_forum.jpg&hash=26c5195fd80a6db993af48062cb633684d4a897c)

View of the twin tunnels along both Highways 3 and 401 east of Cousineau:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_9_east_May14_forum.jpg&hash=d1cc6cd56c1dd428361b45f14c65dae54e8c0ea1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_9_east_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_9_east_May14_24x16.jpg)

Approaching the roundabout on Highway 3:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_10-75_east_May14_forum.jpg&hash=39cf9879a1a3791b8b213dcceb682a0219f254ad)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_10-75_east_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_10-75_east_May14_24x16.jpg)

View of the roundabout:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_11_rbt_west_May14_forum.jpg&hash=63f1370640c041df2e272d30bbeca20faf789aba)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_11_rbt_west_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_cl_11_rbt_west_May14_24x16.jpg)

View of Highway 401 passing through the future eastern Highway 3 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_10-9_east_May14_forum.jpg&hash=e3b9b62686bce93dbeda6a3b542206a246dfa083)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_10-9_east_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_10-9_east_May14_24x16.jpg)

Westerly view looking towards the future eastern Highway 3 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_11-25_west_May14_forum.jpg&hash=7d28c02baed4de85858ea14b878d45f6c35d9de5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_11-25_west_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_11-25_west_May14_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view at the transition between the new highway and the old highway:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_11-25_east_May14_forum.jpg&hash=254f3f35ef121b105ef9451a5110ceac5fd59001)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_11-25_west_May14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_11-25_east_May14_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: US 41 on May 24, 2014, 12:55:01 PM
This is kind of off topic, but does anyone happen to know if you can see the CN Tower from ON 401?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on May 24, 2014, 01:13:32 PM
Sure. There are enough flyover ramps along 401 (401/410, 401/427, 401/409, 401/400, 401/Spadina Exwy) to allow one to observe the skyline in the distance.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: US 41 on May 24, 2014, 02:57:28 PM
Thanks. I'm thinking about going to Canada this fall. I just want to see the CN Tower when I go to Toronto. (Obviously I'm going to do other things in Canada if I go.) Is it worth the money to go in it?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: xcellntbuy on May 24, 2014, 06:11:07 PM
Quote from: US 41 on May 24, 2014, 12:55:01 PM
This is kind of off topic, but does anyone happen to know if you can see the CN Tower from ON 401?
You can see the CN Tower and the entire skyline of Toronto from as far away as St. Catherines on the opposite side of Lake Ontario.  It looks "squat" due to the curvature of the earth and has a greenish hue like the "emerald city."
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on May 24, 2014, 06:54:49 PM
Quote from: xcellntbuy on May 24, 2014, 06:11:07 PM
Quote from: US 41 on May 24, 2014, 12:55:01 PM
This is kind of off topic, but does anyone happen to know if you can see the CN Tower from ON 401?
You can see the CN Tower and the entire skyline of Toronto from as far away as St. Catherines on the opposite side of Lake Ontario.  It looks "squat" due to the curvature of the earth and has a greenish hue like the "emerald city."

Yep, I always enjoyed looking for, and seeing Toronto's skyline from the QEW between St. Catherines & Burlington.  Especially at night!

This spot on the QEW (http://goo.gl/maps/muAKp) was always one of the better locations to see Toronto on a clear night.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 24, 2014, 09:00:21 PM
You can see the CN Tower and the skyline from a number of points pretty far away from Downtown Toronto.  You get a great view along the Southbound 404 between Bloomington Road and Stouffville Road, as well as westbound on the 407 through the York Durham Line interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on May 25, 2014, 12:29:25 PM
Quote from: US 41 on May 24, 2014, 02:57:28 PM
Thanks. I'm thinking about going to Canada this fall. I just want to see the CN Tower when I go to Toronto. (Obviously I'm going to do other things in Canada if I go.) Is it worth the money to go in it?

Buy a record or two at Sonic Boom, get some comic books at The Beguiling and go for a GO-train ride if you really have 40$ and time to spare.

Rather a tourist trap than an impressive attraction, IMHO. Might be the tallest building on this continent, but as long as it is the only one that high, you really get nothing from viewing the city from atop, when you can explore by yourself.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 25, 2014, 07:12:26 PM
^ You're joking right?

The CN Tower is definitely overpriced, no question, but the view of Toronto and area is spectacular.  You can see Niagara Falls on a clear day.  Surely the CN Tower is a better way to experience Toronto than riding a bland and generic GO train.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on May 26, 2014, 09:40:16 AM
* Except for railfans and transit fans.

Anyway, the best way to see the CN Tower from a highway is definitely on the Gardiner Expressway, probably eastbound. But if you want a clinch of 401, you'll have to backtrack (albeit not for too long).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on May 26, 2014, 12:34:50 PM
Not a question of railfanning or whatsoever. The persons with whom I traveled and I prefer being on solid ground and walking about, discovering cities by walking 'em, seeing 'em, feeling 'em.

I find important when going to new places that I meet new people, especially locals - and I quite like hanging with Torontonians. I don't think being able to do that atop the CN tower, but I did elsewhere; in cafés, stores and aboard the train.  :D

Then again, it depends on what you are seeking when travelling.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ARMOURERERIC on May 26, 2014, 01:04:11 PM
As far as the Windsor highway work is concerned, I am surprised.  Until Google maps began to indicate the dashed lines for the future work, I had been under the impression that the road/bridge was going mostly due west to hook up near 75/Southfield, which looking at the map was still to me a superior alignment.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ghYHZ on May 26, 2014, 06:58:35 PM
Sure the CN Tower is a tourist trap....... but I've been up several times and still enjoy the view. Now if I could only get the nerve I'd love to do the edge walk.

http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/edgewalk/edgewalk-overview.html

(Another great view of the skyline is approaching the downtown airport on a Porter or Air Canada Express Q400. The approach is over the harbour and nearly right beside the tower but well below the observation deck).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 26, 2014, 08:53:46 PM
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on May 26, 2014, 01:04:11 PM
As far as the Windsor highway work is concerned, I am surprised.  Until Google maps began to indicate the dashed lines for the future work, I had been under the impression that the road/bridge was going mostly due west to hook up near 75/Southfield, which looking at the map was still to me a superior alignment.

I agree.  The proposed alignment on the US side is kind of dumb.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: US 41 on May 26, 2014, 10:15:30 PM
Thanks everyone for the input on the CN Tower. If I go, I'll probably go in the tower.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: lordsutch on May 27, 2014, 12:30:39 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 26, 2014, 08:53:46 PM
I agree.  The proposed alignment on the US side is kind of dumb.

I'd imagine the major constraint was the need to have a large inspection area on the US side. The area where the new crossing lands seems to be less populated than the Southfield area. Plus if the bridge did connect at I-75 and Southfield, Michigan would probably need to extend the Southfield Freeway south/east to accommodate the added traffic cutting through to/from I-94 and I-96.

And, although they'd probably never admit it, building closer to the Ambassador Bridge makes it more likely that it will divert traffic from Maroun's bridge. Particularly with the 401 getting closer to the Ambassador with the new extension, if the new bridge landed at 75/Southfield a lot of traffic would use the Ambassador and brave the remaining lights on Huron Church Rd rather than potentially going 10+ miles out of their way.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 27, 2014, 04:28:02 PM
Quote from: lordsutch on May 27, 2014, 12:30:39 AM
I'd imagine the major constraint was the need to have a large inspection area on the US side. The area where the new crossing lands seems to be less populated than the Southfield area.

Exactly, on both sides it would be far more disruptive to residential developments, and require a lot more land acquisition on both sides. The Canadian side has already required over $500M worth of expropriations, routing it through LaSalle could have easily exceeded that (not mention the social issues that raises).

Quote from: lordsutch on May 27, 2014, 12:30:39 AM
And, although they'd probably never admit it, building closer to the Ambassador Bridge makes it more likely that it will divert traffic from Maroun's bridge. Particularly with the 401 getting closer to the Ambassador with the new extension, if the new bridge landed at 75/Southfield a lot of traffic would use the Ambassador and brave the remaining lights on Huron Church Rd rather than potentially going 10+ miles out of their way.

Oh, there's no hesitation in admitting that the goal was to take traffic off of Huron Church Rd. As far as taking the traffic specifically away from Matty, I think that's just an added bonus. ;)

But in terms of routing, that hits the nail squarely on the head. On the Canadian side the routing is able to serve both semi-local traffic via the EC Row, and traffic originating/destined in Windsor's south end and points beyond via the 401. A more southwesterly routing there would take that ECR traffic and keep it on Huron Church.
On the American side, a more southwesterly routing would attract the same trips heading to/from the south/west on I-75 and I-94, but traffic heading to the north or to I-96 would indeed be far more inclined to go to the north.

So in terms of southern traffic, yes, a different route would be shorter, but all of that traffic is still better served by this route than any other. But the traffic heading more northerly within Windsor and Metro Detroit, which is likely in far greater numbers, is far better served by this routing than that southern one.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 13, 2014, 09:08:50 PM
A few new pictures of the Hwy 69 construction south of Sudbury:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F69_cl_Jun2014_southernconstruction_south_forum.jpg&hash=97c6eeba270b1e01c5f41fde3704e894770791ab)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F69_cl_Jun2014_CrookedLakeBr_south_forum.jpg&hash=85f82d0cdab2e5cf5a52b3a21fd7533173cb296d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F69_cl_Jun2014_southernconstruction_north_forum.jpg&hash=6c9f7fca4cd8a392cc6920c5d268b7c61b75d434)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F69_cl_Jun2014_InkLkStructure_forum.jpg&hash=faa37619c8ee2dc96622537c1a44909bcb4f9f1f)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ghYHZ on June 14, 2014, 11:33:42 AM
Nice shots......thanks for the up-date. I'll be up that way next week doing a loop via the Tobermory Ferry. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 03, 2014, 10:30:08 PM
A couple of new pictures of some highways that have been widened during the past couple of years:

Hwy 3 in Southwestern Ontario was widened to four lanes between Windsor and Essex during a multi-year project that finished in 2012:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_14_east_Oct11.jpg&hash=ebbb0be8a74b72a6e9a83eca24af2d5821f9019a)

What it used to look like:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_21-8_west_Sep05.jpg&hash=19bfcea23fe6c9fa77ce50983a9840c6d2433593)

What it looks like today:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_21-3_west_Jun14.jpg&hash=cb56c6a60c468238ac0af923c029bdb6d5374111)

More:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy3_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy3_images.htm)


A section of Hwy 7 was also widened through Durham Region, east of Toronto.  The extension of Highway 407 is being built parallel to this road:
From this:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_332_east.jpg&hash=3515a0d7ca7a70fa4d1b0fb9f63c2267030eeb01)

To this:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_332_east_Apr14.jpg&hash=423dc8f48d3d017207689c1e5c54c37b5f8c22ed)

This is the future grade separation that will carry Hwy 7 overtop of the future 407 extension:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_structure_339_east_under_Apr14.jpg&hash=8fd16bb1eac0e9f4388905b467fc7c63569c7d69)

For more info on this portion of Hwy 7:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_p2d_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_p2d_images.htm)


All recent updates:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/recent_updates.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/recent_updates.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 16, 2014, 08:49:57 PM
A new distance sign has been installed on Hwy 11 north of Barrie and it has generated some buzz:

http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/barrie-highway-sign-directs-travellers-a-long-way-north-1.1917324

http://onthighwayman.tumblr.com/image/91850634219 (http://onthighwayman.tumblr.com/image/91850634219)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on July 16, 2014, 09:10:53 PM
Well that's odd. It's ONLY 50 km (3,8%) longer to Thunder Bay via ON-11 rather than 17.  :wow:

Speaking of which, the new provincial budget has officialized some road investments for TB; ON-11/17 will be 4-laned northw... eeerr... I mean eastwa... eeeerrr southward to Nipigon. Work should begin next year. That's nearly 100 km of 4-laning.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 1995hoo on July 16, 2014, 09:53:58 PM
Heh. I get a kick out of people from Ontario not knowing where Cochrane is. I remember back in 1989 I was trading patches at the Canadian Boy Scout jamboree on PEI and I traded for a patch saying "Medicine Hat District." After we made the deal, the kid told me it's in BC and I responded that it's actually in Alberta. He was sure I was wrong–after all, he was Canadian and I was American–until a nearby adult confirmed I was right, which left him really sheepish. It amuses me to no end whenever I'm more familiar with Canadian geography than Canadians are, and yes, I have indeed visited Cochrane, though it was a long time ago and I don't really feel much incentive to return.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 26, 2014, 09:08:11 AM
A couple of new photos of the extension of Hwy 407 in Ontario, northeast of Toronto.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F407E_1_Jul14_forum.jpg&hash=db6801076e7ca3b3a12c3ae6874fa3b5cac05e7a)
Full size:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2014/07-Jul/407E_1_Jul14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2014/07-Jul/407E_1_Jul14_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F407E_2_Jul14_forum.jpg&hash=449726eb076d236203653b651d946dff053d5b6c)
Full size:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2014/07-Jul/407E_2_Jul14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2014/07-Jul/407E_2_Jul14_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 29, 2014, 05:22:54 PM
The 404 Ext's is almost finished:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F404_soon.jpg&hash=258a9c7cf2b907b54a28f95b68bac73252e2e4f9)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 29, 2014, 11:43:34 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 29, 2014, 05:22:54 PM
The 404 Ext's is almost finished:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F404_soon.jpg&hash=258a9c7cf2b907b54a28f95b68bac73252e2e4f9)

I never thought I'd see the Ontario Ministry of Transportation use concrete as the surface layer. Every time I go up to Ontario, the only concrete I ever encounter outside of 407 are small sections of 401 and 427.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on July 30, 2014, 10:15:03 AM
Hmm, I don't know how often Ontario uses concrete pavement, but I recall the easternmost section of 417 being in concrete, and probably other sections as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 30, 2014, 10:31:10 AM
There has been somewhat of a resurgence in the use of concrete in Ontario over the past decade.  A large section of the 417 was reconstructed in concrete about a decade ago, as have sections of both the 401 and 402.  One of the phases of the 410 extension was also built with a concrete riding surface.  The eastern extension of the 407 is supposed to be paved with asphalt however.

Here is the full set of 404 photos that I took yesterday:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy404_RavenshoeExtn_images.htm#July14 (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy404_RavenshoeExtn_images.htm#July14)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 30, 2014, 01:27:49 PM
Are bridges still being built with an asphalt driving surface, or have they also made the switch?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 30, 2014, 01:36:23 PM
No, bridge decks are still almost always surfaced in asphalt.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 31, 2014, 06:10:39 PM
Over-height dump truck strikes the overhead truss on the Burlington Skyway bridge causing it to be closed:

http://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-bound-lanes-of-qew-closed-at-burlington-skyway-after-truck-strikes-scaffolding-1.1941042
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 03, 2014, 06:21:58 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 31, 2014, 06:10:39 PM
Over-height dump truck strikes the overhead truss on the Burlington Skyway bridge causing it to be closed:

http://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-bound-lanes-of-qew-closed-at-burlington-skyway-after-truck-strikes-scaffolding-1.1941042

Dang.  That's crazy.  I honestly think they should install a system in trucks that would prevent them from going more than 10mph if the truck bed is upright....
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on August 03, 2014, 08:56:02 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 31, 2014, 06:10:39 PM
Over-height dump truck strikes the overhead truss on the Burlington Skyway bridge causing it to be closed:

http://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-bound-lanes-of-qew-closed-at-burlington-skyway-after-truck-strikes-scaffolding-1.1941042

Saw that on the news. It'll be a mess for quite some time. Means I'm not going to Toronto any time soon.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2014, 03:22:35 PM
Amazingly, the skyway opened to traffic last evening.  They were able to complete a temporary repair the the damaged beam, and will complete a permanent repair during various upcoming overnight closures

http://globalnews.ca/news/1490028/toronto-bound-burlinton-skyway-bridge-may-reopen-later-today/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2014, 08:04:38 PM
Here are a few of the future West Durham Link interchange with Highway 401 east of Toronto

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2014%2F08-Aug%2F401_structure_407_se_Aug14_forum.jpg&hash=568dc7af4d9a0d986ee16bbfce887c7e43713d3a)

From the road when they were installing some of the girders.  Traffic backed up pretty badly when they were doing this:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F401_structure_407_east_Jul14_forum.jpg&hash=915e9c026738a7a494ce5eb5fe15362b5c6ac796)

They are really moving the highway that far to the north:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2014%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_407_east_Aug14_forum.jpg&hash=29f63906f8f6b4913532dbf8691759715032fa5e)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 12, 2014, 09:46:42 AM
Some new pictures of Hwy 7 between London and Stratford, ON.  A series of multi-year construction projects, that are not quit finished yet, have seen this road reconstructed with roundabouts installed at some of the busier intersections.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_102-5_east_Jun14.jpg&hash=027cd1f39b8985e639022b7443ddbd4e6a1aacce)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_115-5_west_hilltop_Jun14.jpg&hash=8a9695604234e508d64e6b61f416f2f7d7ad19c0)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_125-8_east_Jun14.jpg&hash=74d464f4136f14cec77d7a9a91f51560c05ea057)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_129_west_Jun14.jpg&hash=a69c892a91f266218e85ab1d680e9cf8cc450cb4)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_rbt_128-8_7EastStratford_Jun14.jpg&hash=f31c6bbd68634e51a6592dd45d156f4377103ac6)

The full set:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_p1b_images.htm (http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_p1b_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 12, 2014, 01:50:08 PM
The Windsor Star posted a feature last week for the 15th anniversary of one of the deadliest crashes in the province's history.
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/photos-1999-highway-401-disaster

An 87-vehicle pile-up on a fog shrouded 401 at Manning Road, back on Labour Day weekend, 1999. In the end there were 8 fatalities as a result of that collision.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on September 17, 2014, 02:03:14 PM
The 404 extension opens to traffic.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/09/highway-404-extension-set-to-open.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: oscar on September 17, 2014, 03:02:57 PM
Quote from: Chris on September 17, 2014, 02:03:14 PM
The 404 extension opens to traffic.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/09/highway-404-extension-set-to-open.html

The news release doesn't say *when* it will open to traffic, or when all the politicians quoted in the release will get to attend the ribbon-cutting.  Hopefully by the time I swing by there in a few weeks.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 17, 2014, 05:02:54 PM
It opened today at 3.

https://twitter.com/StevenDelDuca/status/512294087375212545
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 18, 2014, 12:13:03 PM
Quote from: oscar on September 17, 2014, 03:02:57 PM
Quote from: Chris on September 17, 2014, 02:03:14 PM
The 404 extension opens to traffic.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/09/highway-404-extension-set-to-open.html

The news release doesn't say *when* it will open to traffic, or when all the politicians quoted in the release will get to attend the ribbon-cutting.  Hopefully by the time I swing by there in a few weeks.

Usually don't bother with a ribbon-cutting and all of that. Coordinating a media event like that usually takes some doing, and it wouldn't look good for them to hold an event for an opening of a road and there's a last minute delay, or to have a perfectly good road sitting empty for a while just for the sake of a photo-op.

Easier to just have press releases ready to go alike above, do the photos and the speeches while construction's starting up. Like here:
http://www.am980.ca/2014/07/25/23468/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 18, 2014, 10:11:55 PM
Obligatory Hwy 404 photo:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_cl_56_north_Sep18-14.jpg&hash=2a465c6a3cdb665e36905b8da79744565457a8df)

Full size:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_56_north_Sep18-14_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_56_north_Sep18-14_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on September 19, 2014, 05:39:36 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 17, 2014, 05:02:54 PM
It opened today at 3.

https://twitter.com/StevenDelDuca/status/512294087375212545

Guess it's time to update the file for {404} on the CHM site then. :)

So, what are the new exit numbers along it?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 19, 2014, 08:42:46 AM
There are two interchanges on the extension:

#59 - with the Queensville Sideroad (Regional Road 77)

#65 - with Woodbine Avenue (Regional Road 8), at the northern terminus of the highway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 15, 2014, 08:10:00 AM
Some new photos of Hwy 6 in Ontario in Guelph.  A new interchange was constructed at Laird Road in Guelph, and actually opened last year.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F6_dv_111_north_Oct14.jpg&hash=780556b83a83a502bbc785d7e623e6dcc2a9be2f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F6_structure_112-5_north_Oct14.jpg&hash=974e7b65e3a834ab4cb624e4c487c8e0787002e1)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy6_p2b_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy6_p2b_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dr Frankenstein on October 15, 2014, 10:02:18 AM
After experiencing being stuck at several long signals on this road, I can agree that those interchanges are really needed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 29, 2014, 03:54:44 PM
Some pictures of Highway 7/8 in Kitchener, ON.  Construction is underway to upgrade and widen the current six lane freeway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2014%2F10-Oct%2F7_cl_182_east_c_Oct14.jpg&hash=67be4b2451cfb72b12c7eabefa1347ff9f8f7331)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 29, 2014, 07:22:25 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 29, 2014, 03:54:44 PM
Some pictures of Highway 7/8 in Kitchener, ON.  Construction is underway to upgrade and widen the current six lane freeway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2014%2F10-Oct%2F7_cl_182_east_c_Oct14.jpg&hash=67be4b2451cfb72b12c7eabefa1347ff9f8f7331)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm)

How many lanes will the upgrade have, out of curiosity?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 29, 2014, 07:44:54 PM
^ It is being widened from four to six lanes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on December 26, 2014, 07:49:11 PM
Construction of the Herb Gray Pkwy (extension of the 401) west to I-75 continues. It seems like they have taken new pictures of the progress.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hgparkway/

NONE of the pictures are mine.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 27, 2014, 04:31:28 PM
Some new photos of the recently twinned portion of Hwy 11/17 east of Thunder Bay:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_1400-3_west_Aug14.jpg&hash=9b9b1dc1bdaf452fa3604f2b5eead2f055fa60d0)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_1401_west_Aug14.jpg&hash=2f544ee8b8371c857d10f274c259fa30d2930fb5)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_1402_east_t_Aug14.jpg&hash=b9b3dec509c0436f617402faafc98de261506d0c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_structure_1412_east_EB_Aug14.jpg&hash=051b3c4b3cda74afba186895b7944813ace2ea0f)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/Hwy11_p5b_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/Hwy11_p5b_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 12, 2015, 04:05:31 PM
A collection of photos of the extension of Highway 401 in Windsor, Ontario.  These photos were taken on three separate occasions during the 2014 construction season.  The new highway (dubbed the Herb Gray Parkway) will open to traffic sometime during 2015.  As is evident from the photos, the highway was nearly complete before the winter necessitated a construction shut down.

Some pictures:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F05-May%2F7087_structure_1-5_north_May14.jpg&hash=7d442afb866fa204d54932dd15aead3453f26d30)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F05-May%2F3_cl_8-5_east_May14.jpg&hash=ac99054cbd363cf50976f8c2e6e8e20a3e3cce8f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F05-May%2F3_cl_11_Howard_over_north_May14.jpg&hash=3762be66dc3fddddcce1d72139f538601edd166d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F05-May%2F401_cl_11-1_east_May14.jpg&hash=8c05e7a67eca230cd22abaa87d575bfa26799474)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F06-Jun%2F401_cl_4-75_west_offset_Jun14.jpg&hash=ec22ee62ede5e6cd51dc1cda99ee0dbfba101a6f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F06-Jun%2F3_cl_6-4_west_Jun14.jpg&hash=b06e5255bc02e7689231cb3a180ea60a484fee72)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F12-Dec%2F3_cl_6-3_west_Dec14.jpg&hash=d8a956c2dbb7597ed4d56a2b6f891af58cbc30c1)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F12-Dec%2F3_cl_8-4_east_Dec14.jpg&hash=f6a01fabd06863993d2a77a3142c995f36f1240d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FHGP%2F2014%2F12-Dec%2F401_cl_9_west_Dec14.jpg&hash=ff036c79118cb567dad14f67265fd1f4b4f4c923)

For more photos than anyone could ever care to see (or for full-size versions of the photos above):
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/HGP/Hwy401_HGP_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/HGP/Hwy401_HGP_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on January 15, 2015, 08:08:18 PM
Some plans for Ontario over the next few years

Southern highways http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/southern-highway-2014/southern-highways-program-2014-2018.pdf (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/southern-highway-2014/southern-highways-program-2014-2018.pdf)

Northern highways http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/northern-highway-2014/northern-highways-program-2014-2018.pdf (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/highway-construction/northern-highway-2014/northern-highways-program-2014-2018.pdf)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 15, 2015, 10:26:19 PM
Interesting to know that the MTO plans to twin the 17 east of the Manitoba border. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 26, 2015, 09:14:25 AM
Some updated photos of the 407 north of Toronto.  Between Hwys 427 and 400, Hwy 407 was widened from ten to twelve lanes during the 2014 construction season.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_60_east_t_Aug14.jpg&hash=0e46d305d1131ce2dbedfd574742b22b999880d8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_62_west_Aug14.jpg&hash=c29be6e162bb62b61d61fa004645002c3ea2b0c1)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_60_west_Aug14.jpg&hash=dcabe0ff1fb1ee472a5c2498b3d1a439079c870b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_66_east_Aug14.jpg&hash=c6831495d1e75a50a4f42106516d574e95596723)

For the entire set, and for full-size images:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/Hwy407_p3_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/Hwy407_p3_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 10, 2015, 09:47:46 AM
Contract has been called to widen Hwy 401 in the Kitchener-Cambridge area.

https://www.raqs.merx.com/public/bulletin/contractView.jsf?id=29330251 (https://www.raqs.merx.com/public/bulletin/contractView.jsf?id=29330251)

Plan would call for 10 GPL + 2 HOV between RR-8 and RR-24. There are plans underway to expand further to the east, first to Townline Road and then eventually to the Wellington-Halton boundary, but no firm timeline is set for that yet.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on February 10, 2015, 11:48:47 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 10, 2015, 09:47:46 AMhttps://www.raqs.merx.com/public/bulletin/contractView.jsf?id=29330251 (https://www.raqs.merx.com/public/bulletin/contractView.jsf?id=29330251)

Is there a place online where tender drawings can be viewed free of charge?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 22, 2015, 06:42:04 PM
I was up in Sudbury over the weekend.  I took some photos of the ongoing highway twinning en route there and back:

Two views looking northerly approaching the Hwy 64 overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_1_forum.jpg&hash=21e134783fa47c91fa3d99f9c353732eed55fadb)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_3_forum.jpg&hash=c8658899b68d2bf6204de47781d041c7362aec6e)

Northerly view approaching the Crooked Lake Road overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_4_forum.jpg&hash=2ba5478477b9943ea2ee9185dfebfc1558ce3502)

Northerly view across the twin Murdock River bridges.  The old highway crossed the Murdock River via a low level culvert:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_5_forum.jpg&hash=42789d3daebc0b0fb10c16829989c824a8e56c1f)

Southbound view approaching the Hwy 64 overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_6_forum.jpg&hash=c4ff056272471aa6ca11420847a8ecf28fbdc0a4)

The completed wildlife overpass north of Hwy 637
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_7_forum.jpg&hash=4f774b3f64af0daab2e51fc0171028190b94e723)

Hwy 69 approaching Crown Ridge.  One day, Hwy 69 will be blasted through this ridge with a 30m (100ft) cut in order to straighten the highway's alignment.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_Feb15_2_forum.jpg&hash=ac9b30f43979a96a81c8775dd4a7fa0652d0f9d4)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on March 07, 2015, 10:22:35 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mto.gov.on.ca%2Fgraphics%2Fenglish%2Fhighway-bridges%2Fhighway-407-east-project-phase-1-2.jpg&hash=22cd27027d659905e55afe7c76d7c9b200a86f4a)

Not sure if anyone noticed, but the West and East Durham link (future connections between the 401 and future 407) have been officially named highway 412 for the West Durham Link and highway 418 for the East Durham Link. These are the newest additions to the 400 series highways in a while I believe.

The 412 will open in late 2015.

Source and map: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/highway-bridges/major-highway-projects.shtml

Better resolution of the map: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/highway-bridges/pdfs/407-east-map.pdf
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 16, 2015, 05:47:50 PM
Some construction photos of Highway 406 in Ontario through Welland.  Despite the 400-series designation, Highway 406 was initially built as a two lane at-grade highway through Welland, and is only now, decades after initial construction, being widened to four lanes.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2FSouthernConstruction.jpg&hash=fa27cf9f322afb0a419f49dbbb961c71529db0c9)

Some photos:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2012%2F10-Oct%2F406_cl_21-75_south_w_Oct12.jpg&hash=74994512f35325b37c62a5bc7dbd5e269b5120a2)
Hwy 406 crossing over the Welland River and Old Welland Canal.  It is interesting to note that despite being side by side, the Welland River and Old Canal have different water levels.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2012%2F10-Oct%2F406_cl_21-25_north_Oct12.jpg&hash=74e620ee27d74168884aa28ca5a1e663a1a99bfe)
Northerly view towards the Merritt Road overpass.  The Merritt Road overpass was constructed in 2011 in an advanced contract to expedite the twinning work.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F406_cl_22-75_south_Jul14.jpg&hash=ae2490b388cdc5ec9e7605ba3d86891240ef923d)
Southerly view approaching Woodlawn Road.  During construction, Highway 406 followed what will become the southbound on and off-ramps through the future interchange.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F406_structure_22_btw_south_Jul14.jpg&hash=663ae252d9de8f1078cc1f981ec2f05341734542)
Southerly view between the twin Welland River bridges.  The new bridge is at left.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F07-Jul%2F406_cl_21_south_NB_t_Jul14.jpg&hash=44c1c3d52b5db3ded560628a0b793351f1b5ca98)
The Merritt Road interchange was opened to traffic during 2013, two years in advance of the completion of the remainder of the highway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F09-Sep%2F406_cl_26_northwest_Sep14.jpg&hash=297499232809b97a3766ffd2a468d6f1c50f23fb)
One of the more noteworthy features of the 406 construction was the addition of a new three lane roundabout at East Main Street.  This is the first three lane roundabout on a provincial highway in Ontario.  (Though it is not the first three lane roundabout in Ontario -- that was constructed in K/W several years ago).

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F09-Sep%2F406_cl_25-75_south_Sep14.jpg&hash=5d86bc44c4a25785fddbb19973d759698631f458)
Overhead signage approaching the roundabout at East Main Street.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2014%2F09-Sep%2F406_rbt_26_east_Sep14.jpg&hash=4d5ad471464a214ca13d48fdec373125489f24dd)
This view looks easterly along East Main Street towards the Main Street Tunnel.  Highway 406 parallels the Welland Canal.  Immediately east of the Highway 406 roundabout, East Main Street (Highway 7146) dives below the canal in the pictured tunnel.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2015%2F01-Jan%2F406_cl_23-4_north_Jan15.jpg&hash=e0a7da19b77155059e613618ab62d119f537d9e0)
Taken in January, 2015, this photo shows the southbound lanes of Highway 406 had just about been finished before construction was shut down over the winter.

The whole set of pictures (I took a lot), and larger versions of the photos are available here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy406_cons.htm#2012 (http://"http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy406_cons.htm#2012")
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Zeffy on March 16, 2015, 05:54:02 PM
Nice photos! This photo strikes me as very interesting, mainly because there's either no backplate on these signals, or it's the same color as the base color:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2015%2F01-Jan%2F406_structure_23_east_Jan15.jpg&hash=769b1751064d6c382f6eca64d1b2ede3a8e7affd)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Big John on March 16, 2015, 06:02:24 PM
^^ Canada uses yellow backplates, including that photo.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on March 16, 2015, 07:56:23 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on March 16, 2015, 05:54:02 PM
Nice photos! This photo strikes me as very interesting, mainly because there's either no backplate on these signals, or it's the same color as the base color:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_Contracts%2F2015%2F01-Jan%2F406_structure_23_east_Jan15.jpg&hash=769b1751064d6c382f6eca64d1b2ede3a8e7affd)

Like Big John said, Canada uses yellow back plates. Not sure why, but that's what happens.

But, there are exceptions:

http://goo.gl/maps/p9yiI

http://goo.gl/maps/KrxS7

Dark Green coloured background:

http://goo.gl/maps/XPB7u
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 17, 2015, 10:51:43 AM
Work will begin this May for the new Hwy-7 alignment between Kitchener and Guelph.  http://www.570news.com/2015/03/11/highway-7-expansion-between-kitchener-and-guelph-expected-to-start-in-may/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 17, 2015, 01:27:46 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on March 16, 2015, 07:56:23 PM

Like Big John said, Canada uses yellow back plates. Not sure why, but that's what happens.

But, there are exceptions:

Because yellow is brighter more visible. The all dark look is for aesthetics.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 23, 2015, 10:37:49 AM
Some pictures of the 401/Future 412 interchange in Durham Region in Ontario:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_dv_406_east_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=16affd7b2777f6b8e9b4484967030555446c280f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_dv_406_east_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_dv_406_east_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Eastbound view apporoaching the Lake Ridge Road overpass.  The future ramp from the eastbound lanes of the 401 will meet Lake Ridge Road almost exactly overtop of where the current eastbound lanes of the 401 are today.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_cl_406_west_EB_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=397a38187351c0245e362f85cde84893eeb23562)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_west_EB_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_west_EB_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Westerly view from the Lake Ridge Road overpass.  During the winter, the former westbound lanes of the 401 were obliterated.  The crushed asphalt currently awaits transport off-site to be disposed of or recycled.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_cl_406_west_C_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=f6c54d08aebbd63b30652aa095642b615d88a2b8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_west_C_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_west_C_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Centralized view looking west from Lake Ridge, with a GO train passing by.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_cl_406_east_oldalignment_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=5b58bf5cd8bdb7c241bf69eac278b0e39707aa99)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_oldalignment_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_oldalignment_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Easterly view along the 401.  The old Lake Ridge Road overpass is in the foreground.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_cl_406_east_EB_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=69d2df5c8cb3bc9c618d243df70be503ab351723)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_EB_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_EB_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Easterly view from the old Lake Ridge Road overpass.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F401_cl_406_east_WB_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=d44b761c14628891dbc54beef3c5fd587d3d7143)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_WB_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/401_cl_406_east_WB_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Looking overtop of the westbound lanes of the 401 from Lake Ridge Road.  The future on-ramp to the westbound 401 from the future 412 is almost entirely graded.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F03-Mar%2F7_cl_338_east_Mar15_forum.jpg&hash=ccf81ec29dbf0cbf43a22b4734b33f6d81d8ab9a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/7_cl_338_east_Mar15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/03-Mar/7_cl_338_east_Mar15_24x16.jpg)
Further north, this photo looks easterly along Hwy 7 at the future Hwy 412 interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on March 23, 2015, 12:51:41 PM
Interesting the MTO decided to rip up the old westbound lanes. I always thought the westbound lanes would become the express lanes eastbound and the old eastbound lanes would be collector. But I guess there will be no extension of the express, collector arrangement. All the MTO would have to do is build another bunch of lanes westbound to complete the arrangement.

Hopefully it will be open by Fall.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on March 23, 2015, 01:24:53 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on March 23, 2015, 12:51:41 PM
Interesting the MTO decided to rip up the old westbound lanes. I always thought the westbound lanes would become the express lanes eastbound and the old eastbound lanes would be collector. But I guess there will be no extension of the express, collector arrangement. All the MTO would have to do is build another bunch of lanes westbound to complete the arrangement.

Hopefully it will be open by Fall.

The stretch between Exit 401 and Lake Ridge Road has limited ROW. It appears that they're building in the capacity for express lanes at the interchange, but not demolishing a zillion houses to build an extension at this time.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 23, 2015, 01:47:48 PM
The long term plan calls for the collector lanes to be extended as far easterly as Hwy 412.  The study can be found here:

http://highway401brocktocourtice.ca/
The PDF of the roll plan through Ajax is here:
http://highway401brocktocourtice.ca/consultation-pic.html
http://highway401brocktocourtice.ca/pdf/11-20-14/Roll%20Plan%201%20-%20Brock%20Road%20to%20407%20West%20Durham%20Link-low.pdf

The 401 is being moved as far north as it is through the Hwy 412 interchange in order to accommodate the on and off ramps between both the future Lake Ride Road interchange as well as the interchange between Hwy 401 and Hwy 412.  It was either the railway or the highway that needed to be moved in order to construct the interchanges.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 26, 2015, 02:12:32 PM
Would you like to see the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway signed along Highway 401 in some way again? If so, please email me (onthighwayman@gmail.com) stating your support.

I am putting together a proposal to resurrect the signage, and having a gauge of public support would aid that process.

Please note that no names, emails, or personal identifiers will be shared without permission.

- Chris
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Oh, the public in Southern Ontario will be scared of that word that starts with "F", the Canadian nationalists will jump up and down like they do. Supposedly, we in Canada can never use the word "Freeway" but most always use the word "Highway". Just like it's called Grade 12 here and not 12th Grade. Or one that relates more, we call it Queen St W, not W Queen St. (Can someone seriously tell me why we throw the directions on streets at the end) I know that's the case at least in Southern Ontario, but not sure about everywhere.

Also, to what extent would you like to resurrect the M-C signage? The problem I see, is that with the overlap of the Highway of Heroes signage, especially with the MTO's obsession with bilingualism, can you imagine seeing a sign assembly in the GTA with possibly 5 shields? (Hwy 401, Highway of Heroes, Autoroute des Heros, M-C Freeway, Autoroute M-C) Or would you rather have the M-C designation appear like those big blue signs at the 404 and Hwy 35/Hwy 115 interchange (I think) every so often along the route. If I recall, it's like this in Quebec, where you see the periodical BGS that says "Autoroute Jean Lesage". Another example that I see once a year is the "Miners Memorial Highway" Big Blue Sign on Hwy 104 at least twice in Nova Scotia.

Speaking of multiple names for Ontario freeways, any GPS or mapping program seems to name the Hamilton section of Hwy 403 as Chedoke Parkway, was there any real acknowledgement to this name on the road ever? Same goes for the Conestoga Parkway, which I'm not sure what the K-W residents call that freeway that's sometimes Highway 7, or Highway 8, or Highway 85. I personally use the term "Conestoga Parkway" myself, but I'm not sure if anyone knows what that term means, I really only learned it from the mapping programs. I also recall Microsoft Streets and Trips, back in the early 20-aughts (and possibly still on MapPoint), had Hwy 409 have a second name known as "Belfield Expressway", is there any proof of this too?

Also, could we please get a proper cosigning in Wellington County, of Hwy 401 and Hwy 6, it irks me that the Hwy 6 sign on the assembly is a trailblazer, with a "TO Hwy 6", when technically you are on Hwy 6. I believe the one with Hwy 410, which doesn't exist since legally since '97 decommissioning, and the Hwy 401/Hwy 6, are the only cosignings on 400 series highways that cosign with regular highways. But I could be wrong. On a side note, check out what they've done to the Hwy 410/Hwy 7, sign on Williams Parkway...you'd be in for a laugh if you understand the funny error they made.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 02, 2015, 03:07:07 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on March 26, 2015, 02:12:32 PM
Would you like to see the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway signed along Highway 401 in some way again? If so, please email me (onthighwayman@gmail.com) stating your support.

Are there any signs left? Like the "M-C Freeway" shields?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 03, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
The last M-C shield stood out by the airport in Toronto, and came down about this time last year.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 07, 2015, 12:04:12 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Oh, the public in Southern Ontario will be scared of that word that starts with "F",

Highway's already designated, it's a question of signs.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
the Canadian nationalists will jump up and down like they do. Supposedly, we in Canada can never use the word "Freeway" but most always use the word "Highway".

I'm sure that a road named after two Fathers of Confederation will make the nationalists very happy.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Also, to what extent would you like to resurrect the M-C signage?

Depends on what is the best option in terms of cost-effectiveness and signing the designation fully. Right now I'm trying to guage and document public support for the concept.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Speaking of multiple names for Ontario freeways, any GPS or mapping program seems to name the Hamilton section of Hwy 403 as Chedoke Parkway, was there any real acknowledgement to this name on the road ever?

No, in fact there's a movement afoot to name the 403 from Woodstock to Burlington for Alexander Graham Bell. Should that go through it would be the sole name on that section.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Same goes for the Conestoga Parkway, which I'm not sure what the K-W residents call that freeway that's sometimes Highway 7, or Highway 8, or Highway 85. I personally use the term "Conestoga Parkway" myself, but I'm not sure if anyone knows what that term means, I really only learned it from the mapping programs.

Never designated, though it was municipally signed on the city streets as such back in the 70s.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F36.media.tumblr.com%2Fd5ef0982f6bf7bc54f9be82b87c45762%2Ftumblr_mours5I2zf1qan4oto1_500.jpg&hash=5cc89535ac0be4dcdcd10f2ecf03e8e60a8ebfe8)


Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 02, 2015, 12:29:35 AM
Also, could we please get a proper cosigning in Wellington County, of Hwy 401 and Hwy 6, it irks me that the Hwy 6 sign on the assembly is a trailblazer, with a "TO Hwy 6", when technically you are on Hwy 6. I believe the one with Hwy 410, which doesn't exist since legally since '97 decommissioning, and the Hwy 401/Hwy 6, are the only cosignings on 400 series highways that cosign with regular highways.

The Hwy 410/7 overlap survived the 1997-98 restructuring as the highway was retained by MTO to the west of 410. But then Peel Region request it be transferred so they could develop along it (and thankfully they did as it would be a mess today or costing taxpayers a lot to upgrade it - whereas a municipality can pass those upgrade costs on to the developers creating the traffic more easily). So that section was transferred in late 2001, and the 410/7 designation still exists for the time being.

Other 400-series co-designations include 400/12, 403/24, QEW/403, and kinda sorta not really but it functionally is 401/ECR and 401/3.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2015, 01:10:38 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 07, 2015, 12:04:12 AM
The Hwy 410/7 overlap survived the 1997-98 restructuring as the highway was retained by MTO to the west of 410. But then Peel Region request it be transferred so they could develop along it (and thankfully they did as it would be a mess today or costing taxpayers a lot to upgrade it - whereas a municipality can pass those upgrade costs on to the developers creating the traffic more easily). So that section was transferred in late 2001, and the 410/7 designation still exists for the time being.

Is 7 signed with KH shields along 410?  If so, I need to add it to the CHM project when we're back in business.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 07, 2015, 09:00:10 AM
^ There are a couple of remainder Hwy 7 shields along Hwy 410, but I am not sure if that'd be enough for me to include that section on a clinched hwy mapping site:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_sign_cosign410_thru.jpg&hash=8f235590e16ee374b2e0f9e1cdad06bc0b97965c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410-7_shield.jpg&hash=42c3502bce7c7a2cc5c00c2191d65c50db0d163f)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 07, 2015, 11:38:29 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2015, 01:10:38 AM
Is 7 signed with KH shields along 410?  If so, I need to add it to the CHM project when we're back in business.

There are a smattering of signs, but if you tried to actually follow it through you'd lose it. And what is there is not long for this world.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on April 07, 2015, 08:37:29 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 07, 2015, 11:38:29 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2015, 01:10:38 AM
Is 7 signed with KH shields along 410?  If so, I need to add it to the CHM project when we're back in business.

There are a smattering of signs, but if you tried to actually follow it through you'd lose it. And what is there is not long for this world.

It's only between two exits anyways, so even its heyday, there was at most, just 4 of those signs. On Highway 410 today, there is no mention of Hwy 7 anymore, but up until 2003-ish, I can recall that the sign on the Clark Boulevard exit gantry said something along the lines of this:

Hwy 7 EAST Queen St 1km
Hwy 7 WEST Bovaird Dr 5km

Also, I was mentioning earlier of the Williams Parkway onramp sign, the funny error they made.

https://goo.gl/maps/6Z6dI

Those of you keeping score know that Peel Region already has a Regional Road 7, it's Airport Road! What used to be Hwy 7 in Brampton is now Regional Road 107. Queen St west of Hwy 410 is Regional Road 6. Bovaird Dr east of Hwy 410 is Regional Road 10. I wonder how many citizens of this city even know this. The names Hwy 10, and Hwy 7 are still used by me as a millennial born person and by my friends who are not roadgeeks, I don't expect that to change in the future due to legality both highways still have. As we know Hwy 10 starts now just north of the Brampton city limits, and Hwy 7, well Provincial Hwy 7 starts west of the Brampton city limits, as for Vaughan. York Region officially named Hwy 7 "Highway 7", as it never had a name before, and why give it a special name, the locals know it as "Highway 7" so let's keep it that way.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2015, 11:31:25 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 07, 2015, 11:38:29 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on April 07, 2015, 01:10:38 AM
Is 7 signed with KH shields along 410?  If so, I need to add it to the CHM project when we're back in business.

There are a smattering of signs, but if you tried to actually follow it through you'd lose it. And what is there is not long for this world.

But the point I'm trying to make here, is 7 still considered to be 'official' on 410 in the eyes of the MTO at this time (like how 69 was on 400 till the shields were removed)?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 12, 2015, 11:08:56 PM
Next phase of the Hwy 407 extension is proceeding; completion of 407 to Hwy 418 by late 2017, completion of the balance of 418 southerly to Hwy 401 and completion easterly to Hwy 35/115 by late 2020.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/04/moving-forward-on-highway-407-east-1.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 13, 2015, 12:23:37 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 12, 2015, 11:08:56 PM
Next phase of the Hwy 407 extension is proceeding; completion of 407 to Hwy 418 by late 2017, completion of the balance of 418 southerly to Hwy 401 and completion easterly to Hwy 35/115 by late 2020.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/04/moving-forward-on-highway-407-east-1.html

They are going to be done to Harmony Road by fall? That is farther east than I thought.
Good, the 407 will be extended to the 115 like I thought. May take off some of the Peterborough bound traffic off the 401. Hopefully the 412 opens on time. All I've seen of that is the old westbound lanes of the 401 being ripped up.


As well, for a different topic, more pictures have been posted of the Herb Gray Pkwy (401 in Windsor) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hgparkway/with/17088080811/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:

Hwy 401:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_344_west_ramp_C_Mar15.jpg&hash=4797b6ce501845fb4a8cd84da5d603df1b80f2dc)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_344_west_ramp_C_Mar15_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_344_west_ramp_C_Apr15.jpg&hash=95e058c1b6a419546133204aa6b303b00907365e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_344_west_ramp_C_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-4_west_Sep11_C.jpg&hash=4a44c9fc921f8458c658c7b8e48b35a1022381ef)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-4_west_Sep11_C_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-4_west_Apr15_C.jpg&hash=5bee5012447cef29fc9d817d3f8598745c02a452)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-4_west_Apr15_C_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_346_west_C_Jun13.jpg&hash=919783b24fb26aacba780d0bb4104a0350a7b573)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_346_west_C_Jun13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_346_west_C_Apr15.jpg&hash=628618de9de3a71720cd05d43b0f05573735171a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_346_west_C_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_375_east_E_Aug12.jpg&hash=8f744c9e54f4547d41ee990d6d0cd35b2cafbe48)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_375_east_E_Aug12_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_375_east_E_Mar15.jpg&hash=8f464741af8815d790b33294af42c7d045f4864b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_375_east_E_Mar15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_375-5_west_E.jpg&hash=6a88abebd0b8ed100d3e9312edf712fa60ccc2de)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_375-5_west_E_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_375-5_west_E_Apr15.jpg&hash=928185d4cae0ece147fe544b30c623a22c06d42a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_375-5_west_E_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_376_west_E.jpg&hash=f01816f0a0ce451eb463092e8dac74f2547c829b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_376_west_E_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_376_west_E_Apr15.jpg&hash=d3a9acb67e9d93d3f6a4158787bb49dd040198d5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_376_west_E_Apr15_24x16.jpg



Hwy 404:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=1848eb8e9c4cf03525a47b67f59c8ad4d50eca0c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15.jpg&hash=709fb57fdee59b005c4403f0d05c31f54b6498e9)
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15_24x16.jpg



Hwy 406:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_9_south_Jul11.jpg&hash=5542c7d3df76c0bca52395c66c7a1176e4dbacaa)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_9_south_Jul11_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_9_south_Apr15.jpg&hash=4a354822da5e78867737785961e61e802a16a671)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_9_south_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_9-6_south_Jul11.jpg&hash=cf8f44a1f686b729f3ec7ff6deb9ebad4400ff9a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_9-6_south_Jul11_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_9-5_south_Apr15.jpg&hash=91e7736d15721d6bc782441f4b95269e8101812d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_9-5_south_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_11-75_north_Jul11.jpg&hash=da90c5e00b1e3284b67842fc66569b838c99acef)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_11-75_north_Jul11_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F406_dv_10-5_north_Apr15.jpg&hash=8453039a28a1a0e83bd50138efd22dd6ca590aad)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/406_dv_10-5_north_Apr15_24x16.jpg



QEW:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_97_FEB_Oct10.jpg&hash=51cae76bcd03bb4ce04a9b4c62978a191ead1e20)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_97_FEB_Oct10_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_97_FEB_Apr15.jpg&hash=331bee816f3c70b4b0201bdfb9969e809e270d75)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_97_FEB_Apr15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99-5_Oct10_TB.jpg&hash=bf0cd23dc46279346c23315587efb651ad1bf0f7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_Oct10_TB_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr15.jpg&hash=ea8a55b63b75a69f845d44e5d0ab014c19ae3e2a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr15_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 19, 2015, 11:42:10 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99-5_Oct10_TB.jpg&hash=bf0cd23dc46279346c23315587efb651ad1bf0f7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_Oct10_TB_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr15.jpg&hash=ea8a55b63b75a69f845d44e5d0ab014c19ae3e2a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr15_24x16.jpg

It's not everyday you see Clearview replaced with FHWA. Most of the signs replaced are nearly identical to their older counterparts. Yet, I find the old signs better in some way. Not a fan of the control city smaller than the other text either. Nice pics.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Brandon on April 21, 2015, 03:18:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:

Hwy 404:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=1848eb8e9c4cf03525a47b67f59c8ad4d50eca0c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15.jpg&hash=709fb57fdee59b005c4403f0d05c31f54b6498e9)
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15_24x16.jpg

Nothing like the Ministry of Redundancy Ministry.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 21, 2015, 09:02:59 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 21, 2015, 03:18:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:

Hwy 404:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=1848eb8e9c4cf03525a47b67f59c8ad4d50eca0c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15.jpg&hash=709fb57fdee59b005c4403f0d05c31f54b6498e9)
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15_24x16.jpg

Nothing like the Ministry of Redundancy Ministry.

Typical Ontario, unfortunately. Here is another one close by: http://goo.gl/maps/mkAfc


Also, this kind of bugs me: http://goo.gl/maps/U6meH

That exit leads to County (Simcoe in this case) 89 and ON 89, but the MTO doesn't put a county shield.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 08:02:16 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 21, 2015, 03:18:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:

Hwy 404:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13.jpg&hash=1848eb8e9c4cf03525a47b67f59c8ad4d50eca0c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Aug13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15.jpg&hash=709fb57fdee59b005c4403f0d05c31f54b6498e9)
http://www.AsphaltPlanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_dv_26-5_north_Mar15_24x16.jpg

Nothing like the Ministry of Redundancy Ministry.

I wouldn't say this sign is redundant.  In this case, Regional Road 7 is named Highway 7.  In this example, it is signed as it should be.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Brandon on April 22, 2015, 09:57:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 08:02:16 AM
I wouldn't say this sign is redundant.  In this case, Regional Road 7 is named Highway 7.  In this example, it is signed as it should be.

What if I changed it to {401} Highway 401?  Or {55} Interstate 55?  It very much is redundant to have a shield stating the route number and then repeating it with the text right afterward.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 22, 2015, 10:21:16 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2015, 09:57:02 AM
What if I changed it to {401} Highway 401?  Or {55} Interstate 55?  It very much is redundant to have a shield stating the route number and then repeating it with the text right afterward.

No, it's the route number and the road name, two separate entities. See the RR-4 Dixie Road sign above, same situation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2015, 09:57:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 08:02:16 AM
I wouldn't say this sign is redundant.  In this case, Regional Road 7 is named Highway 7.  In this example, it is signed as it should be.

What if I changed it to {401} Highway 401?  Or {55} Interstate 55?  It very much is redundant to have a shield stating the route number and then repeating it with the text right afterward.

Perhaps you aren't familiar with Ontario's route classification system.  The \7/ refers to regional (or county) road.  In this case, York Regional Road 7 is also named Highway 7.  A regional road shield, often dubbed a flowerpot by roadgeeks (\_/) is not synonymous with a road being a highway.  If it was named and signed as "\7/ York Road 7" than it could be considered redundant.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on April 22, 2015, 02:33:48 PM
Sometimes I wonder how many citizens around here even understand the Regional Road system at all. Concurrency is a concept that growing up at least in my case, no one seemed to understand. There were many that called Queen Street in Brampton, Highway 7, and Bovaird Drive as Highway 7 as well. While technically right, they couldn't wrap their head around Hwy 410 and Hwy 7 being a concurrency. Thus it was frustrating to hear of for instance in my days, Torbram of Bovaird being incorrectly referred to as Torbram and Hwy 7.

Speaking of Highway 7 in Brampton, what was the route of Highway 7 is known now as Regional Road 107, as Regional Road 7 was already taken, it is Airport Road.

As for redundancy, if we still had our highway system intact, and it said (CROWN 7) Highway 7, indeed that is very redundant. In York Region, this thoroughfare never had any previous names, and the locals always called it "Highway 7". A simple (FLOWERPOT 7) wouldn't have done the trick, at least in my eyes.

Thinking about this, I've noticed there are inconsistencies in how the powers that be in our province handle these kind of downloaded situations. Let us look at exit 320 in Milton, where the Maplehurst Jail is, people in the media years still refer to this as Highway 25, but that's besides the point. Anyways, notice that exit is simply signed (FLOWERPOT 25) with three control cities, I'd prefer if the name of that street "Martin St" was on that sign. In rural areas, I think just a route number is fine, but in suburban/urban areas it can be somewhat frustrating. But this happens outside of the province as well, a major thoroughfare in Greater Buffalo for example is signed on the Thruway as NY 78, when I assume that "Transit Road" may be what the locals there call it. I know if you look up an address there, you get told it is on transit road and not Highway/Route 78.

So why is it, when we get to other areas of the province, even in spots with downloaded roads, that we sometimes have words instead of flowerpots. I'm referring to exit 328 in Woodstock now, where I believe the sign says "Oxford Road 2". So why doesn't the sign in Milton say "Halton Road 25", or that sign in Woodstock say (FLOWERPOT 2). Could it be that Oxford County does not use the flowerpots at all? I would like to know if possible please.

If I had my way, even though the highways don't legally exist as provincial entities, I wouldn't have destroyed the long established highway numbers that even us millennials, who some of us were single digit age at the time of downloading refer to the downloaded roads as. But oh well, that's how things go.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 22, 2015, 03:34:18 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 22, 2015, 02:33:48 PM
So why is it, when we get to other areas of the province, even in spots with downloaded roads, that we sometimes have words instead of flowerpots. I'm referring to exit 328 in Woodstock now, where I believe the sign says "Oxford Road 2". So why doesn't the sign in Milton say "Halton Road 25", or that sign in Woodstock say (FLOWERPOT 2). Could it be that Oxford County does not use the flowerpots at all? I would like to know if possible please.

The reason being that the exit signs are retrofits of the existing signs - ie, underneath the flowerpot the crown is still there. When the signs get fully replaced they would say "Halton Road 25" or "\25/ Martin Street" or whatever the municipality wants it to be called.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on April 22, 2015, 02:33:48 PM
If I had my way, even though the highways don't legally exist as provincial entities, I wouldn't have destroyed the long established highway numbers that even us millennials, who some of us were single digit age at the time of downloading refer to the downloaded roads as. But oh well, that's how things go.

There were 65 instances where the numbering was maintained, 39 where the routing/numbering was improved (either by rerouting highways, like with Hwy 65 at New Liskeard, or incorporating it into the local network like Hwy 51 becoming CR-15 at Rondeau) so that actually improved consistency and better reflected traffic patterns, and 9 where numerical changes could cause an issue to an inattentive driver.

Sure, it seems out of place given knowledge of the highway history, but that old chestnut about the 90s restructuring being so very disruptive is not backed up empirically.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 03:46:36 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 22, 2015, 03:34:18 PM
Sure, it seems out of place given knowledge of the highway history, but that old chestnut about the 90s restructuring being so very disruptive is not backed up empirically.

I would say that fact is, at best, debatable.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 22, 2015, 05:29:36 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 03:46:36 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 22, 2015, 03:34:18 PM
Sure, it seems out of place given knowledge of the highway history, but that old chestnut about the 90s restructuring being so very disruptive is not backed up empirically.

I would say that fact is, at best, debatable.

Okay, let's go through it then.  :-P

Apparently the numbers were off in my first post. The actual segments:


75 segments had the numbering retained as is:

Numbering maintained:
2 Tilbury to Hamilton
2 Hamilton-Toronto (no numbering applied, but was unassumed and known by names to begin with)
2 Toronto to Ganaoque
2 Gananoque to Lancaster
2A
3 Port Colborne
3 Fort Erie
4 north of Clinton
4 south of Talbotville
5 west of Peters Cors.
5 east of Clappisons Cors.
6 south of Port Dover
7 Brampton to Markham
8 Kitchener-Cambridge
8 Hamilton
12 Durham
14
15 south of 401
19 south of Tillsonburg
20
22
24 south of Simcoe
24A
25 south of Acton
25 north of Grand Valley
27 south of Barrie
27 north of Midhurst
28 south of Peterborough
29
31
32
33
34
36
38
41
42
43
45
46
48 northern segment
49
50
52
55
56
59 south of Courtland
62 Maynooth to Barrys Bay
73
74
76
78
79
80
81
83
84
86 west of Elmira
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
95
96
99
117
118
121 south of Haliburton
136
169 south leg
169 north leg
420

39 segments in which the route was renumbered to provide greater route continuity:

QEW — Gardiner transition at more logical point, a major interchange
3 — Leamington to Wheatley — incorporated into local road network
6 — Alvanley to Hepworth incorporated into county network
7 west of Thedford — renumbered to provide clearer navigation — CR-22 E-W, CR-79 N-S
7 — rerouted to better bypass Peterborough
7A — renumbered to provide proper through route for Hwy 7
15 — Carleton Place to Arnprior - Complete numerical consistency within section isolated from other, reversion to earlier number
16 — 416 to central Ottawa — consistent number for isolated segment
16 — renumbered to Hwy 416 with freeway upgrades
17 — now 174 in Ottawa
18 — fully incorporated into municipal network
19 — Ingersoll to St. Marys — isolated route number is continuous
19 — Stratford to Tralee — incorporated into county network
21 — south of 401 — incorporated into county network, transition at major junction (Hwy 401)
23 — highway rerouted, old segment incorporated into sequential CR system
24 — Paris to Brantford — rerouted onto more appropriate through route
24 — Shelburne to Collingwood — consistent number for isolated segment
25 — isolated segment between Acton and Ospringe has consistent number
25 — portion between Brisbane and Waldemar incorporated into RR-24 through route
28 — Peterborough to Lakefield — bypassed segment given new consistent number
35A — incorporated into county network
40 — south of 401 — incorporated into county network, transition at major junction (Hwy 401)
44 — extension of RR-49
51 — incorporated into longer CR-15
54 — N-S portion incorporated into through route of CR-18, E-W portion to Cayuga has consistent number
62 — Complete numerical consistency within section isolated from other
65 — rerouted onto more direct route
69 — renumbered to Hwy 400 with freeway upgrade
70 — renumbered to provide proper through route for Hwy 6
86 — renumbered to provide greater continuity with regional network, reversion to earlier number of Hwy 85
115 — highway rerouted, bypassed segment reverted to municipal names, Hwy 115 ends at more logical point (freeway end)
121 — Fenlon Falls to Minden, Now CR-21, so number is somewhat retained, isolated from unrelated section
121 — Haliburton to Hwy 28, incorporated into Hwy 118 through route
131 — incorporated into CR-27, a more direct routing
133 — incorporated into longer CR-4
134 - renumbered to provide proper through route for Hwy 28
148 — numerical consistency with county road


14 segments with numerical discontinuity:

2 — Windsor to Tilbury - numerical discontinuity at Essex-CK line
3 — Leamington bypass — incorporated into local road network, through movement turns from E-W to N-S
3 — Leamington to Talbotville - numerical discontinuity at Essex-CK line
7 — numerical discontinuity at Halton-Peel line
9 — Western segment connects into CR-109, proposal to renumber to Hwy 109 was rejected by local governments
11 — numerical discontinuity at York-Simcoe line
17 — numerical discontinuity at Ottawa-P&R line
47 — numerical discontinuity at York-Durham line
53 — numerical discontinuity at Oxford-Brant line
58 — Welland segment goes into RR-54
67 — south of Hwy 11 is named road
24 — numerical discontinuity at Waterloo-Wellington line
24 — numerical discontinuity at Wellington-Peel line
59 — numerical discontinuity at Oxford-Perth line


That being said, 4 of those 14 are where the highway goes from "xx"  to "1xx"  which isn't rocket surgery to figure out. Additionally, there is very little through traffic at Tilbury (Hwy 2) and on Wheatley (Hwy 3). The balance of that, is yes, a little shaky. But not unmanageable.

And yes, this does omit B-routes, which are deliberately avoided due to concerns with 911 dispatch, and secondary highways that were transferred because I didn't feel like going into those (though by and large they retained their numbers too).


Again, the vast majority of segments that were transferred either retained their numbers, or had their numbers changed to provide greater consistency. Sure, it's harder to follow the old route of a road like Highway 25 without changing numbers, but the reason it was changed was that there wasn't demand to do that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 05:35:12 PM
The loss of route hierarchy, additional duplication of important routes in a county...  I get your point I just don't agree with your assessment.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 22, 2015, 11:24:34 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 11:47:58 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 22, 2015, 09:57:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 08:02:16 AM
I wouldn't say this sign is redundant.  In this case, Regional Road 7 is named Highway 7.  In this example, it is signed as it should be.

What if I changed it to {401} Highway 401?  Or {55} Interstate 55?  It very much is redundant to have a shield stating the route number and then repeating it with the text right afterward.

Perhaps you aren't familiar with Ontario's route classification system.  The \7/ refers to regional (or county) road.  In this case, York Regional Road 7 is also named Highway 7.  A regional road shield, often dubbed a flowerpot by roadgeeks (\_/) is not synonymous with a road being a highway.  If it was named and signed as "\7/ York Road 7" than it could be considered redundant.

I wasn't familiar with that. Thanks for explaining. Still, it would be nice for 7 to have a real name "XX Road" or something, other than "Highway 7".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 23, 2015, 09:52:15 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2015, 05:35:12 PM
The loss of route hierarchy, additional duplication of important routes in a county...  I get your point I just don't agree with your assessment.


I'll agree to disagree with you on the hierarchy point, though in terms of the duplication of routes, I think the issue has less to do with signage/guidance and more to do with service delivery. it would really benefit the province if the Ministry were to get back into the assumption and transfer of highways, but at this point it's not a financial reality. There are a few routes MTO has that really ought to be local, and there are a lot of major through routes that ought to be taken over - or taken back - by the province. But at this point, things are pretty frozen unfortunately.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on April 23, 2015, 12:35:14 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2015, 02:09:29 PM
A series of sign replacements have been undertaken during the winter this year in the GTA.  Here are some before and after photos of the work:


Cool pics, thanks for sharing them!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Haeleus on May 01, 2015, 02:14:51 PM
I've always wondered since I've lived all my life in Ontario, but what is the historical reason provincial highways are portrayed differently on guide signs (number in a crown) vs. re-assurance shields on the side of the road (number in crest with a crown on top of it)? Off the top of my head I can't think of a single other example of this being done in any jurisdiction.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 01, 2015, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Haeleus on May 01, 2015, 02:14:51 PM
I've always wondered since I've lived all my life in Ontario, but what is the historical reason provincial highways are portrayed differently on guide signs (number in a crown) vs. re-assurance shields on the side of the road (number in crest with a crown on top of it)? Off the top of my head I can't think of a single other example of this being done in any jurisdiction.

British Columbia uses slighty simplified shields on guide signs. But certainly Ontario is the most extreme example.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 01, 2015, 02:51:05 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 01, 2015, 02:30:14 PM
Quote from: Haeleus on May 01, 2015, 02:14:51 PM
I've always wondered since I've lived all my life in Ontario, but what is the historical reason provincial highways are portrayed differently on guide signs (number in a crown) vs. re-assurance shields on the side of the road (number in crest with a crown on top of it)? Off the top of my head I can't think of a single other example of this being done in any jurisdiction.

British Columbia uses slighty simplified shields on guide signs. But certainly Ontario is the most extreme example.

There is a thread on the differences between BGS shields and stand alone shields and trailblazers.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14484.0

I know Ontario has been doing that for awhile now, probably since the 50's. I guess the standalone shield is too complicated to see on a BGS.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 08:59:47 AM
I took some new photos of the eastern extension of Hwy 407 through Durham Region east of Toronto:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108_ne_Apr15.jpg&hash=8e12e218b2801f06c59b07f5f6293c3efc1ca597)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_cl_108_WB_east_t_Apr15.jpg&hash=aa46d787d744b1ae81cb105c6326c8f9b139e118)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108-75_nw_Apr15.jpg&hash=beea214d6b5259d2adf4062b3d23d911654bb28d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_126_east_Apr15.jpg&hash=cb62def6f86e9e2a89bb140e99df649dd124b4b5)

The entire gallery of photos (including larger versions of the above) can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 04, 2015, 10:51:38 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 08:59:47 AM
I took some new photos of the eastern extension of Hwy 407 through Durham Region east of Toronto:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108_ne_Apr15.jpg&hash=8e12e218b2801f06c59b07f5f6293c3efc1ca597)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_cl_108_WB_east_t_Apr15.jpg&hash=aa46d787d744b1ae81cb105c6326c8f9b139e118)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108-75_nw_Apr15.jpg&hash=beea214d6b5259d2adf4062b3d23d911654bb28d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_126_east_Apr15.jpg&hash=cb62def6f86e9e2a89bb140e99df649dd124b4b5)

The entire gallery of photos (including larger versions of the above) can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm

Sweet. Hopefully they have it open in time. Will the new 407 be tolled?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 04, 2015, 11:08:52 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on May 01, 2015, 02:51:05 PM
I guess the standalone shield is too complicated to see on a BGS.

Exactly. The simplified version is for junctions as it is a cleaner look and more easily seen in those more cluttered situations. The more detailed shield is just for assurance markers.

And not just for freeway-sized signs either.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F60_sign_muskoka3.jpg&hash=869a9bca66541d0376d9f4f6cbdad2611d7a0ad0)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_sign_jct_cosign19_Jan04.jpg&hash=eee79de7e3978d466ea41d24d88cabd7a7ad5691)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_20-29_images%2F23_jct_new.jpg&hash=37878c3f4d3291c133e629aa9eeb3e924ae1de35)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on May 04, 2015, 10:51:38 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 08:59:47 AM
I took some new photos of the eastern extension of Hwy 407 through Durham Region east of Toronto:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108_ne_Apr15.jpg&hash=8e12e218b2801f06c59b07f5f6293c3efc1ca597)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_cl_108_WB_east_t_Apr15.jpg&hash=aa46d787d744b1ae81cb105c6326c8f9b139e118)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108-75_nw_Apr15.jpg&hash=beea214d6b5259d2adf4062b3d23d911654bb28d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_126_east_Apr15.jpg&hash=cb62def6f86e9e2a89bb140e99df649dd124b4b5)

The entire gallery of photos (including larger versions of the above) can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm

Sweet. Hopefully they have it open in time. Will the new 407 be tolled?

The extension of the 407 as well as both the 412 and 418 will be tolled.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aboges26 on May 04, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on May 04, 2015, 10:51:38 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 08:59:47 AM
I took some new photos of the eastern extension of Hwy 407 through Durham Region east of Toronto:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108_ne_Apr15.jpg&hash=8e12e218b2801f06c59b07f5f6293c3efc1ca597)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_cl_108_WB_east_t_Apr15.jpg&hash=aa46d787d744b1ae81cb105c6326c8f9b139e118)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_108-75_nw_Apr15.jpg&hash=beea214d6b5259d2adf4062b3d23d911654bb28d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F04-Apr%2F407E_structure_126_east_Apr15.jpg&hash=cb62def6f86e9e2a89bb140e99df649dd124b4b5)

The entire gallery of photos (including larger versions of the above) can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm

Sweet. Hopefully they have it open in time. Will the new 407 be tolled?

The extension of the 407 as well as both the 412 and 418 will be tolled.

And it will be tolled by the MTO, not a private entity?  Correct?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 09:05:55 PM
Quote from: aboges26 on May 04, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
And it will be tolled by the MTO, not a private entity?  Correct?

That's right.  The 407 East has been tendered as a design-build-operate-maintain project.  So it will be maintained by the private sector, but tolls will be set by the province of Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 05, 2015, 09:40:37 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 09:05:55 PM
Quote from: aboges26 on May 04, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
And it will be tolled by the MTO, not a private entity?  Correct?

That's right.  The 407 East has been tendered as a design-build-operate-maintain project.  So it will be maintained by the private sector, but tolls will be set by the province of Ontario.

I guess that is the first toll freeway in Ontario then that is not completely private. I wonder how Ontario will sign this.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 06, 2015, 09:31:07 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on May 05, 2015, 09:40:37 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 09:05:55 PM
Quote from: aboges26 on May 04, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
And it will be tolled by the MTO, not a private entity?  Correct?

That's right.  The 407 East has been tendered as a design-build-operate-maintain project.  So it will be maintained by the private sector, but tolls will be set by the province of Ontario.

I guess that is the first toll freeway in Ontario then that is not completely private. I wonder how Ontario will sign this.

The ETR section was under a relatively similar sort of arrangement before the current service model was adopted in 1999.

In terms of signage, there was a myriad of different options we looked a while back, though I left that project before I'd seen what the final design was.
Just speculating, but perhaps the mock-up in the background here offers clues?

http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/5543671-province-announces-plans-for-second-phase-of-highway-407-extension/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 06, 2015, 08:09:28 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 06, 2015, 09:31:07 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on May 05, 2015, 09:40:37 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 04, 2015, 09:05:55 PM
Quote from: aboges26 on May 04, 2015, 08:35:45 PM
And it will be tolled by the MTO, not a private entity?  Correct?

That's right.  The 407 East has been tendered as a design-build-operate-maintain project.  So it will be maintained by the private sector, but tolls will be set by the province of Ontario.

I guess that is the first toll freeway in Ontario then that is not completely private. I wonder how Ontario will sign this.

The ETR section was under a relatively similar sort of arrangement before the current service model was adopted in 1999.

In terms of signage, there was a myriad of different options we looked a while back, though I left that project before I'd seen what the final design was.
Just speculating, but perhaps the mock-up in the background here offers clues?

http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/5543671-province-announces-plans-for-second-phase-of-highway-407-extension/

Wow. That's interesting. I was thinking it would look more of this, but I guess that looks good too:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2F412%2520TO%2520407%2520Exit_zpseude85ht.png&hash=007cb980760198dfaaa30b23e56bc03936148777)

A full tech drawing:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2F412%2520TO%2520407_zpsdsa5yori.png&hash=d04d4bb5f2f15d1ac1944371bb4404d0f7013df7)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 07, 2015, 07:54:59 AM
That wouldn't be a bad solution.  It seems more likely that toll tabs are going to be used, similar to those used in the US.  I was kind of hoping they would retain the pill bottom shape shield that was used for the 407 ETR (but drop the ETR), but that doesn't seem like it will be the case.

Of course, I don't actually know anything, so we shall see.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 07, 2015, 12:59:07 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 07, 2015, 07:54:59 AM
That wouldn't be a bad solution.  It seems more likely that toll tabs are going to be used, similar to those used in the US.  I was kind of hoping they would retain the pill bottom shape shield that was used for the 407 ETR (but drop the ETR), but that doesn't seem like it will be the case.

Of course, I don't actually know anything, so we shall see.

They seem big on stressing the public ownership, so I can see the logic in staying in line with the standard marker there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 14, 2015, 12:24:10 PM
New bridge linking Windsor and Detroit to be named the "Gordie Howe International Bridge"

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/live-stream-prime-minister-stephen-harper-makes-announcement-at-valiant-in-windsor
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 15, 2015, 01:50:14 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 14, 2015, 12:24:10 PM
New bridge linking Windsor and Detroit to be named the "Gordie Howe International Bridge"

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/live-stream-prime-minister-stephen-harper-makes-announcement-at-valiant-in-windsor

Well, I'm glad they're moving forward with this project.

They still need to acquire land on the US side and connect that with I-75. Also, the rest of the 401 hasn't been built past the Ojibway Pkwy. By 2020 though, at least the roads will be built.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on May 18, 2015, 05:00:32 PM
Victoria Day Fireworks seen from Hamilton's parkways

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 18, 2015, 06:02:24 PM
Quote from: haljackey on May 18, 2015, 05:00:32 PM
Victoria Day Fireworks seen from Hamilton's parkways



I used to live just off Upper Paradise near that metal fencing in the median, 3:23 in your video but difficult to see. There is an underpass there I crossed frequently in my childhood.

Thanks for uploading.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 29, 2015, 10:07:58 PM
The temporary HOV lane markings that are being added for the PanAm games have been added to the 401 through Scarborough and Durham Region:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_tempHOV.jpg&hash=4fc7e7231744ce4c8d2c66f64c97139cd0080928)

The HOV lanes will be in effect from June 29, and require three occupants for travel.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 30, 2015, 12:12:40 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 29, 2015, 10:07:58 PM
The temporary HOV lane markings that are being added for the PanAm games have been added to the 401 through Scarborough and Durham Region:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_tempHOV.jpg&hash=4fc7e7231744ce4c8d2c66f64c97139cd0080928)

The HOV lanes will be in effect from June 29, and require three occupants for travel.

I wonder how much the PamAm games will affect the traffic on the 401. I guess the MTO decided to install HOV lanes there just in case.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 30, 2015, 12:12:04 PM
^ I expect the PanAm games to have a significant effect on traffic on the 401 as well as other GTA highways.  In addition to sections on the 401, various other highways within the GTA will also get temporary HOV lanes, including both the DVP and Gardiner/QEW.  The MTO is hoping to see a 20% reduction in travel within the GTA this summer during the PanAm games.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on May 31, 2015, 01:58:47 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 29, 2015, 10:07:58 PM
The temporary HOV lane markings that are being added for the PanAm games have been added to the 401 through Scarborough and Durham Region:


The HOV lanes will be in effect from June 29, and require three occupants for travel.

Why only temporary?  To me, HOV seems like a good idea on any corridor with significant carpooling potential, especially a corridor as wide as 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on May 31, 2015, 02:05:14 PM
Long-term HOV probably wouldn't work on 401 due to the nature of the beast. The QEW, for example, gets a lot of long-distance HOV traffic, so the HOV lanes makes sense. With how 401 is set up, you'd need to construct additional ramps to allow HOV vehicles to exit at their destinations, as few travel the length of the corridor.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on May 31, 2015, 03:19:41 PM
Plus the HOV lanes are not new - the are converted from existing lanes.  Thus, the overall capacity of the road is going DOWN so that free-flow can be guaranteed for carpools.  They're essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul in terms of congestion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 31, 2015, 04:29:28 PM
Some pictures of the 417 construction related to the LRT construction in eastern Ottawa:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_114-5_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=be16866c9c77964c6f543ddd341ce5127231bf99)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_116_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=4b1df0441c3bb4ee850b4eed82f7257fc6b0c100)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_117-5_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=7d73e9bbfe9218b20f65c72783c8451986481508)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_118_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=d0c8d40e264cb591d2a0fb4d2806c9a88818c3fe)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_116_east_EB_May15_forum.jpg&hash=60336b3775dd5871e5a5f928069006497fed4527)
Easterly view from the Belfast Road overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_east_WB_May15_forum.jpg&hash=e7e0abb817ea8445a6c8a6c0dc9bfcf5ce67de61)
Easterly view along the 417 towards the new pedestrian overpass from the Vanier Parkway overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_west_WB_May15_forum.jpg&hash=77e247a577419e0e1d6598c3b05d5209f4477a99)
Westerly view towards the Rideau River bridge from the Vanier Parkway overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_121-25_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=62b9cbc78e06dd0642e4286de6ddf5d2b1d78a75)

I've also uploaded some new photos of Hwy 400 north of Barrie:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Hwy400_p3_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Hwy400_p3_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on May 31, 2015, 05:28:13 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 31, 2015, 04:29:28 PM
Some pictures of the 417 construction related to the LRT construction in eastern Ottawa:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_114-5_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=be16866c9c77964c6f543ddd341ce5127231bf99)

If this sign is new, I'm not impressed with the series B and the compressed Em usage.   :angry:

Also, I think Ontario should try out APL's. They have been proven to be clearer than diagrammatics. Can't blame anyone for this sign though, the traffic manual hasn't been updated since 2005 I think.

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 31, 2015, 04:29:28 PM
Some pictures of the 417 construction related to the LRT construction in eastern Ottawa:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_121-25_west_May15_forum.jpg&hash=62b9cbc78e06dd0642e4286de6ddf5d2b1d78a75)

The new VMS that Ontario is now using has really grown on me. The pictogram and bilingualism made it more difficult to understand. But this one is really clear and easy to understand.

This construction has been going on awhile now, even since I lived there. I'm hoping it's completed soon. Great pics as always.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on May 31, 2015, 05:34:40 PM
Ontario uses modified APLs for option lanes in quite a few locations. Not full width, but there's a pictogram showing how many lanes exit.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 31, 2015, 05:45:33 PM
The new signage along the 417 through eastern Ottawa is a little bit of mis-mash right now.  The extra lane on the 417 will initially be opened as a transit lane to facilitate construction of Ottawa's LRT.  Once the LRT has been completed, the new lane will be converted to a general purpose highway lane, which will necessitate fairly significant changes to the current highway signing plan.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on June 01, 2015, 07:00:14 PM
Quote from: vdeane on May 31, 2015, 03:19:41 PM
Plus the HOV lanes are not new - the are converted from existing lanes.  Thus, the overall capacity of the road is going DOWN so that free-flow can be guaranteed for carpools.  They're essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul in terms of congestion.

I know that in most of the US, it's politically infeasible to convert existing general lanes to HOV, but I've always wondered why.  If a roadway has enough traffic that can benefit from carpooling, why not make it harder for general traffic in the hopes that more would take a bus or carpool.

We are not talking about a freeway with two or three lanes here.  From the picture, there appears to be 7 lanes in each direction, plus transition lanes to exits.  The idea is to reserve 1/7 of the capacity for the HOVs.

Now, if it won't be adequately utilized because of lack of ingress/egress ramps, then maybe it doesn't work here.  But I don't think HOV conversion should be ruled out unless new lanes are constructed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on June 01, 2015, 09:03:26 PM
Most of ON 401 in Toronto is six lanes each direction (three express, three collector); this photo appears to be in the middle of a transfer, which is why there are four shown in the express.  The express lanes have very few direct exits/entrances; almost all access is from the periodic transfers every few km.

As far as making commuting more painful to encourage carpooling/transit... why should I have my life become harder just because I'm an introvert who doesn't like to live according to anyone else's schedule?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on June 01, 2015, 11:27:55 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 01, 2015, 09:03:26 PM
Most of ON 401 in Toronto is six lanes each direction (three express, three collector); this photo appears to be in the middle of a transfer, which is why there are four shown in the express.  The express lanes have very few direct exits/entrances; almost all access is from the periodic transfers every few km.

As far as making commuting more painful to encourage carpooling/transit... why should I have my life become harder just because I'm an introvert who doesn't like to live according to anyone else's schedule?

And at the same time, why should the public be forced to shoulder the expense of widening a road that is already very wide to handle even more traffic, when certain mitigation measures can be used to manage the resource more appropriately?

In my view, any limited access road that is at least 8 lanes wide should be subject to alteration without the necessity for widening.  Widening would be a huge expense.  But perhaps HOV, HOT or toll lanes are in order.  Maybe a reversible lane operation would also work.

It's just hard to believe that a highway this wide can't dedicate one lane to carpoolers and transit without the need to widen the highway even further.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 02, 2015, 10:51:17 AM
1. The purpose of the temporary HOV is to provide access for games officials and participants, VIPs, etc as well as the 3+ HOV. It's a case where the needs of the games were determined to be of greater importance than the need to move traffic.

Quote from: mrsman on June 01, 2015, 11:27:55 PM
It's just hard to believe that a highway this wide can't dedicate one lane to carpoolers and transit without the need to widen the highway even further.

2. Well, believe it, because that road is incredibly busy. Just looking at the hourly volumes for the location in that picture, if one lane were converted the road would likely be overloaded for all but the hours of 9:00 pm to 6:00 am every weeknight. Weekends would get more time in the morning, but busier later into the evening. Further west it gets even worse.

There are many effective ways to manage traffic demand, but converting existing GPL to HOV is like trying to lose weight by hacking off a limb.

Quote from: cl94 on May 31, 2015, 02:05:14 PM
Long-term HOV probably wouldn't work on 401 due to the nature of the beast. The QEW, for example, gets a lot of long-distance HOV traffic, so the HOV lanes makes sense. With how 401 is set up, you'd need to construct additional ramps to allow HOV vehicles to exit at their destinations, as few travel the length of the corridor.

3. Travel patterns on Hwy 401 vs. the QEW tend to be more of the long distance type of travel. The reason why HOV is looked at for QEW and not 401 through Toronto has more to do with available real estate and less to do with traffic demand.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 1995hoo on June 02, 2015, 10:51:14 PM
The text on that VMS is really sharp. Wish ours here could be so legible.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 02, 2015, 11:02:45 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on June 02, 2015, 10:51:14 PM
The text on that VMS is really sharp. Wish ours here could be so legible.

Agreed. The new ones are much better than the ones on the roadways now (like the 401).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-ontario-highway-signs-aim-to-show-not-tell-1.2919559
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on June 11, 2015, 07:56:44 PM
Toronto City Council has voted to replace the eastern Gardiner Expressway with a hybrid option.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fthestar%2Fnews%2Fcity_hall%2F2013%2F01%2F08%2Fgardiner_expressway_study_to_be_resurrected%2Fgardiner.jpeg&hash=caac2814ae06df483705f20c231d1801a04b5d6e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Furbantoronto.ca%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fdisplay-default%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F2015%2F06%2F16220%2F16220-54527.jpg&hash=146df5b37ba0da2c6efebc4e18a8b36d336092e2)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fdp9DmYq.jpg&hash=7faedc07af8f32c152bc9affadc2f39ef924b9ee)

First exciting thing to happen since Rob Ford. He was at the meeting in a track suit, and was as the only person who voted to maintain the existing structure. Everyone else wanted to demo it or go with the hybrid option
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FF8ebMkO.jpg&hash=c83e9de0282c5af8d59ca8c9158ff0db4ffaa676)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 11, 2015, 09:18:51 PM
Quote from: haljackey on June 11, 2015, 07:56:44 PM
Toronto City Council has voted to replace the eastern Gardiner Expressway with a hybrid option.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fthestar%2Fnews%2Fcity_hall%2F2013%2F01%2F08%2Fgardiner_expressway_study_to_be_resurrected%2Fgardiner.jpeg&hash=caac2814ae06df483705f20c231d1801a04b5d6e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Furbantoronto.ca%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fdisplay-default%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F2015%2F06%2F16220%2F16220-54527.jpg&hash=146df5b37ba0da2c6efebc4e18a8b36d336092e2)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fdp9DmYq.jpg&hash=7faedc07af8f32c152bc9affadc2f39ef924b9ee)

I'm a little confused. The hybrid option does what exactly?

Quote from: haljackey on June 11, 2015, 07:56:44 PM
First exciting thing to happen since Rob Ford. He was at the meeting in a track suit, and was as the only person who voted to maintain the existing structure. Everyone else wanted to demo it or go with the hybrid option
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FF8ebMkO.jpg&hash=c83e9de0282c5af8d59ca8c9158ff0db4ffaa676)

Good old Rob Ford.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 11, 2015, 09:54:03 PM
Hybrid removes all connections except for the Gardiner-DVP movement and builds a ground-level boulevard. While the Star doesn't like it, it's better than removing everything because the freeway-freeway connection is retained.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 12, 2015, 10:56:22 AM
MTO has called the contract to realign Hwy 66 around Virginiatown.

The highway is being realigned due to stability issues from the abandoned mine underneath the town and highway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mgk920 on June 12, 2015, 12:08:10 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 11, 2015, 09:54:03 PM
Hybrid removes all connections except for the Gardiner-DVP movement and builds a ground-level boulevard. While the Star doesn't like it, it's better than removing everything because the freeway-freeway connection is retained.

I agree, the Hybrid looks far and away best to me - especially with all of the development that is expected in that former industrial wasteland area within the foreseeable future.  That area reminds me a LOT of the area around Lake Shore Drive (US 41) and Wacker Drive in Chicago.

Since the Gardner is not going to be extended eastward as originally planned, in light of that expected development, I would have also opposed the 'rebuild as is' option.

Mike
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 14, 2015, 10:15:37 AM
Also, I remember a old discussion on the mailing list Canroads https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/canroads/conversations/topics/3330 about an upgrade of Hwy-11 between Barrie and Orillia into a 6-lanes freeway on the current alignement or using a new corridor to replace the current RIRO setup. I wonder how's the MTO study of this highway gap goes?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on June 14, 2015, 11:45:44 AM
Interesting photos of when Toronto demolished the eastern Gardiner.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogto.com%2Fupload%2F2015%2F06%2F20150609-Gardiner-LeadAlt.jpg&hash=4d204a92c78f519d06a80f5f0dd331645820b35d)

More pics
http://www.blogto.com/city/2015/06/that_time_when_toronto_demolished_the_gardiner/ (http://www.blogto.com/city/2015/06/that_time_when_toronto_demolished_the_gardiner/)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 14, 2015, 09:42:28 PM
The Pan Am games wouldn't have created any traffic really. I mean there is practically ZERO interest in this event from the citizens of this city and region. Just like that awful event 5 years ago in a couple of weeks, the Pan Am games are nothing more than a burden on Toronto with how the government is treating this. I've supported an Olympic Bid in the past for Toronto because I think it's the only thing that can be a wake up call to this entire region in terms of transportation infrastructure. Hosting the winter games is child's play compared to the summer games, but Vancouver got a freaking rapid transit line to the airport due to the Olympics.

So the government, especially since the turn over of the Liberals in 2003, have implemented more of their social engineering policies when it comes to how we commute. As I've said in the past, the QEW was supposed to have a 10-lane cross section in Halton Region....and well we know what we got.

Wasn't income tax supposed to be temporary, I don't believe a thing the government says, and I won't be surprised if these HOV lanes turn into a form of HOT lanes. On the 401 today, they had the nerve to display on the VMS "Avoid Rush Hour Traffic During Pan Am Games", excuse me? Who do you think you are? People work for a living, government, to pay for your disgusting nonsense that no one here wanted like the Pan Am games.

When not displaying traffic information, Ontario's VMSs in the GTA usually display political messages to take transit, or to ride your bike, excuse me, I like my freedom and I will not rely on a bunch of buses, with people who do disgusting behaviors, diseases, and what not. I will not spend 3 hours to get to the other side of the region on a bunch of extremely slow buses.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 16, 2015, 08:06:14 AM
Some new pictures of Hwy 417 through Kanata.  Hwy 417 was widened through Kanata over two multi-year construction projects that were completed in 2014:

Some photos:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_144_east_May14.jpg&hash=edaec9af2c8bd4a1ab242e76ee750420409bfe51)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_144_east_c_May15.jpg&hash=ae85c9e82a69a360d711e0e373920870d36bf6ea)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_142_east_c_May15.jpg&hash=16da766c69f3f99db3c8700f1e5ccbac3e53bae7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_141_east_c_May15.jpg&hash=ee312f827de3de56302da62b9914371d7694e03c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_141-5_west_May15.jpg&hash=1048c72d14ed793d73cbb86653d084f533601a7e)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_138_east_May15.jpg&hash=94ef4a83ceb83743293f1d764b289cd0be5f7e6b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_138_west_May15.jpg&hash=4febe4f4181c7730685815ea06f3df4cbd385b68)

The full set of photos, including larger versions of the above photos can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy417_p5a_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dcbjms on June 16, 2015, 08:36:55 AM
Looking nice all 'round, even Scotiabank Place (don't ever ask me to call it Canadian Tire Centre - all I remember hearing it called back when I went to uni was either Scotiabank Place or the Corel Centre).  The 417 needed that widening, in any case - now if it could just be expanded past Arnprior.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 16, 2015, 11:06:59 AM
I remember when they did that construction since I used to live in Ottawa.  It was a nightmare to drive when there was a hockey game at the nearby stadium.

The MTO wants to widen the 417 to Renfrew first. Hopefully that will be done in the next few years.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 16, 2015, 01:50:12 PM
Port this over from the Hwy 17 tangent in the 401 thread...

Quote from: aboges26 on June 15, 2015, 01:54:52 PM
Have there been any bypass-type concepts for the Soo?  Would there be any interchanges on a bypass of the Soo or would it be at-grade completely?

To the first question, conceptually yes, but nothing firm. It was a few years ago, but at that point the next phase was to connect the existing 4 lane divided Garden River Bypass into Second Line (the existing E-W alignment along the north side of the city), but that's been put on the back burner for the next decade or so.

In terms of intersection treatments and/or grade separations, that's a decision that it's way to premature to address at this point.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: maplestar on June 16, 2015, 06:20:42 PM
Quote from: dcbjms on June 16, 2015, 08:36:55 AM
Looking nice all 'round, even Scotiabank Place (don't ever ask me to call it Canadian Tire Centre - all I remember hearing it called back when I went to uni was either Scotiabank Place or the Corel Centre).  The 417 needed that widening, in any case - now if it could just be expanded past Arnprior.

Really? I can see some justification for wanting to still call it The Palladium, but why insist on one of two former sponsored names over the current sponsored name?

Edited to add: I grew up in Arnprior and lived in the area until about 7 or 8 years ago, hence my interest.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 16, 2015, 06:44:18 PM
Quote from: maplestar on June 16, 2015, 06:20:42 PM
Quote from: dcbjms on June 16, 2015, 08:36:55 AM
Looking nice all 'round, even Scotiabank Place (don't ever ask me to call it Canadian Tire Centre - all I remember hearing it called back when I went to uni was either Scotiabank Place or the Corel Centre).  The 417 needed that widening, in any case - now if it could just be expanded past Arnprior.

Really? I can see some justification for wanting to still call it The Palladium, but why insist on one of two former sponsored names over the current sponsored name?

The newer name (Canadian Tire Centre) was not well liked for people who lived there. I remember when they changed it, and I didn't really appreciate it then either. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just I guess the older names just "sound better".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dcbjms on June 17, 2015, 07:17:18 PM
Quote from: maplestar on June 16, 2015, 06:20:42 PM
Quote from: dcbjms on June 16, 2015, 08:36:55 AM
Looking nice all 'round, even Scotiabank Place (don't ever ask me to call it Canadian Tire Centre - all I remember hearing it called back when I went to uni was either Scotiabank Place or the Corel Centre).  The 417 needed that widening, in any case - now if it could just be expanded past Arnprior.

Really? I can see some justification for wanting to still call it The Palladium, but why insist on one of two former sponsored names over the current sponsored name?

Edited to add: I grew up in Arnprior and lived in the area until about 7 or 8 years ago, hence my interest.

Throughout my time at uni it was Scotiabank Place; earlier tourist literature and some people who took longer than usual to catch on used Corel Centre, so I heard and used both.  It's why I avoid calling the local big arena in RI the Dunkin' Donuts Center (or The Dunk -  :paranoid: - for short) and use the Civic Center instead - only in that case I grew up calling it the Civic Center and nothing is going to make me change that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 18, 2015, 09:47:08 AM
The last site in the redevelopment of the Highway 400 and Highway 401 service centres has opened.

http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/5677801-hwy-400-commuters-welcome-new-innisfil-onroute/

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aboges26 on June 18, 2015, 07:48:25 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on June 16, 2015, 01:50:12 PM
Port this over from the Hwy 17 tangent in the 401 thread...

Quote from: aboges26 on June 15, 2015, 01:54:52 PM
Have there been any bypass-type concepts for the Soo?  Would there be any interchanges on a bypass of the Soo or would it be at-grade completely?

To the first question, conceptually yes, but nothing firm. It was a few years ago, but at that point the next phase was to connect the existing 4 lane divided Garden River Bypass into Second Line (the existing E-W alignment along the north side of the city), but that's been put on the back burner for the next decade or so.

In terms of intersection treatments and/or grade separations, that's a decision that it's way to premature to address at this point.

Thank you for importing this over!  I had conveniently forgotten what the main topic of the other thread was in order to pick your brain...

I was surprised that the Garden River Bypass never ended up at Second Line, it seemed destined after how much Carmen's Way helped get from the International Bridge to Hwy 17 north.  Was it put on the back burner for financial reasons or did the businesses along Trunk Rd not want to be bypassed?  Also, what are the chances that Second Line would instead get extended east to Trunk?  Specifically extending Second Line due east then having it curve southeasterly to meet Trunk Rd near Fournier Rd so Hwy 17 can instead form a "T" with its current curve to Trunk and curve off northwesterly to meet 17 north before or after Fifth Line?

Lastly, why was the northern end of the Garden River Bypass even proposed?  To me, the sweeping arc back to Trunk is a waste and it would have made more sense to have shifted its materials and labor on a more direct alignment that would have reduced MTO's future maintenance responsibility by shifting more kilometers of Hwy 17 back to local jurisdictions while also shaving off Hwy 17's total distance.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 19, 2015, 10:38:22 AM
Quote from: aboges26 on June 18, 2015, 07:48:25 PM

Thank you for importing this over!  I had conveniently forgotten what the main topic of the other thread was in order to pick your brain...

I was surprised that the Garden River Bypass never ended up at Second Line, it seemed destined after how much Carmen's Way helped get from the International Bridge to Hwy 17 north.  Was it put on the back burner for financial reasons or did the businesses along Trunk Rd not want to be bypassed? 

To route it further to the west than it is now would require crossing an additional First Nations territory. Which is always possible, it just requires more negotiation and political sensitivity than a regular expropriation. They opted not to do that back when the Garden River Bypass was built, and will resume negotiations once MTO gets a better sense of when the project will actually move forward.

Quote from: aboges26 on June 18, 2015, 07:48:25 PM
Also, what are the chances that Second Line would instead get extended east to Trunk?  Specifically extending Second Line due east then having it curve southeasterly to meet Trunk Rd near Fournier Rd so Hwy 17 can instead form a "T" with its current curve to Trunk and curve off northwesterly to meet 17 north before or after Fifth Line?

Lastly, why was the northern end of the Garden River Bypass even proposed?  To me, the sweeping arc back to Trunk is a waste and it would have made more sense to have shifted its materials and labor on a more direct alignment that would have reduced MTO's future maintenance responsibility by shifting more kilometers of Hwy 17 back to local jurisdictions while also shaving off Hwy 17's total distance.

The ultimate alignment would have to balance between providing access to Sault Ste. Marie and the international bridge, as well as providing a through routing. So that access would not be well-served by a route that sweeps too far out away from the city.

While I do not know the precise alignment that has been envisioned, from a practical perspective the ideal staging would be thus:

So ultimately, the small connectors that would not tie into the Hwy 17 mainline when all is said and done will still provide strategic access. I would imagine that the N-S connector that would be taken out of the existing Garden River Bypass alignment would be a candidate for transfer to the municipality, though even if MTO were stuck with it for a while they would only have a few km of road. The E-W connector would be worth keeping given its access to the international bridge, so it would be necessary otherwise.

I would not expect to see the N-S bypass constructed anytime soon. While there are a number of small towns with services along its route, there really isn't a centre of note until you reach Thunder Bay, over 700 km away. Most traffic does make a stop in the Soo before continuing northwesterly along the Lake Superior shore (and the inverse, first stop after a long run of nearly nothing). But in terms of the route, they do want to plan for an protect the corridor, but that so that they can build it more easily decades down the road.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2015, 09:35:04 AM
A couple of new photos of various construction projects on the 401 in the GTA:

Construction is still ongoing at the Mavis Road overpass.  It doesn't seem like a lot of work has been done this construction season to be honest:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_east_EB_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=72e08074f3dca04a7aec954cb3cadb9ce776bd47)

A couple of views of the 401 through the future Hwy 412 interchange.  Paving work is ongoing for the future eastbound lanes of the 401:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_407_west_EB_C_Jun19-15_forum.jpg&hash=e3ef74908fd320bc99d7caa875aa7bb68ed9495f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_407_east_NEB_Jun19-15_forum.jpg&hash=27a820b5272ac45bd33c94fba83681894d4e78f8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_structure_407_oldLakeRidge_Jul19-15_forum.jpg&hash=caba1a6e255e43c082f688f136d41f3ab08359b6)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2015, 09:27:40 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2015, 09:35:04 AM
A couple of new photos of various construction projects on the 401 in the GTA:

It doesn't seem like a lot of work has been done this construction season to be honest:

[snipped]

Beginning of the construction season I guess. Or do they work over the winter? Either way, the Second Line West bridge (I presume where you took this pic) is still there, not demolished yet.

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2015, 09:35:04 AM
A couple of views of the 401 through the future Hwy 412 interchange.  Paving work is ongoing for the future eastbound lanes of the 401:

[pics]

Wait, the MTO is moving the eastbound lanes as well? I'm confused. Last year, they moved the westbound lanes further north to its present position, but now they want to move the eastbound lanes north as well? Or are they making collectors? Maybe they need some space to put the on-ramps to the 412 together.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 27, 2015, 02:52:47 PM
A couple of photos of Highway 427 in northern Etobicoke.  The MTO is currently constructing HOV lanes along this portion of freeway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_south_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=5b37c4e554ab0e409e120e8ab749e2b8d2d44fbd)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_w_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=d5678ee7881e4d24fb3ebd4afa86f5d4508d8f99)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_t_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=a7ed97dd351558b6d36e85915986b649ec1604ae)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on July 13, 2015, 10:46:38 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 27, 2015, 02:52:47 PM
A couple of photos of Highway 427 in northern Etobicoke.  The MTO is currently constructing HOV lanes along this portion of freeway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_south_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=5b37c4e554ab0e409e120e8ab749e2b8d2d44fbd)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_w_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=d5678ee7881e4d24fb3ebd4afa86f5d4508d8f99)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_t_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=a7ed97dd351558b6d36e85915986b649ec1604ae)

I don't get why this is a priority when it is only going to end at 401, and not add two GP lanes instead.  The hwy clearly need to be extended to at least Angus if not Barrie as was laid out in early 2000's.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 13, 2015, 12:21:36 PM
Quote from: aridawn on July 13, 2015, 10:46:38 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 27, 2015, 02:52:47 PM
A couple of photos of Highway 427 in northern Etobicoke.  The MTO is currently constructing HOV lanes along this portion of freeway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_south_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=5b37c4e554ab0e409e120e8ab749e2b8d2d44fbd)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_w_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=d5678ee7881e4d24fb3ebd4afa86f5d4508d8f99)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_17_north_t_Jun15_forum.jpg&hash=a7ed97dd351558b6d36e85915986b649ec1604ae)

I don't get why this is a priority when it is only going to end at 401, and not add two GP lanes instead.  The hwy clearly need to be extended to at least Angus if not Barrie as was laid out in early 2000's.

I didn't look, but perhaps AADT's for that area are high enough that the MTO decided to widen the highway here first, rather than extend the freeway north. There's not much up there right now, so I guess they decided to wait. Just a guess on my part.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 18, 2015, 09:02:54 PM
^ The 427 is a busy road all the way to Hwy 7.  HOV or not, it very much makes sense to widen the 427 before the freeway is extended further to the north.  Otherwise, traffic coming from the north along the future extension will simply be able to get to the traffic jam south of finch faster than they could without the freeway extension.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 18, 2015, 10:53:55 PM
Some additional sign replacement photos:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-5_east_C_Sep13.jpg&hash=73d2c846f994863404552dafb61ef19b8ce84a42)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-5_east_C_Sep13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-5_east_C_Jul15.jpg&hash=faae2e1632842718cd82d73d9bdb660150a62cd5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-5_east_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_348_east_C_Sep13.jpg&hash=e138da4c44ec2eb2468bd5cd6e585ab3f5f6f676)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_348_east_C_Sep13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_348_east_C_Jul15.jpg&hash=2bd1f5af727f72c8467ac470b3e4c149d8508fac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_348_east_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_348-5_east_C_Sep13.jpg&hash=6f1725e985e4c26f4cf3a03002156d66b4e0bef6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_348-5_east_C_Sep13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_348-5_east_C_Jul15.jpg&hash=4591bd5f5ed7cb0ccaa1915eb40b344895b477ac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_348-5_east_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2015, 11:04:28 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 18, 2015, 10:53:55 PM
Some additional sign replacement photos:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-5_east_C_Sep13.jpg&hash=73d2c846f994863404552dafb61ef19b8ce84a42)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-5_east_C_Sep13_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-5_east_C_Jul15.jpg&hash=faae2e1632842718cd82d73d9bdb660150a62cd5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-5_east_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg

Well, at least the exit number is now posted at Renforth Drive. I like the single pole gantry design. Glad Ontario likes it too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 19, 2015, 08:41:10 AM
I don't mind the single post gantry either, but I think the 407 uses a better design than the MTO does.  I quite like the signs that were installed at this location.  I appreciate the fact that the sign designer took the time to match the sign heights of all of the signs at both the Renforth exit and the diverge to the 427 ramp.  Though, I think the 427 signs probably should have been switched to blue in colour.  (Once a ramp splits from the collector lanes, either blue or green is used, it's not always consistent.)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 19, 2015, 11:59:31 AM
After checking your website and Streetview, there doesn't appear to many of those classic gantries left for the entire length of the 401 in Toronto. The MTO has aggressively replaced them it looks like, probably for safety or aesthetics.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 19, 2015, 12:59:23 PM
There are only about 5 or 6 of the old style gantries along the 401 across the length of the province.  There are still a few on both the 407 and the 410.  The ones on the 410 will be replaced in the next few years as part of a highway widening project.  The old gantries along the 407 probably still have some shelf life though, at least on the sections of the tollway that aren't going to be widened for the next few years.

During inspections, many of the old gantries (called 'Type 1' or 'Aluminum Tapered Leg' gantries) showed some fatigue cracking in some of the welds of the truss which were revealed to be problematic.  As I understand it, this was one of the principal reasons for their replacement.  The report on their replacement also mentioned that some of the weld qualities weren't always that great either.  The other problem with this design (which is shared with the 'Type 2' / 'Aluminum Rectangular Leg' gantries) is that the gantries are rigid, which over time can lead to fatigue cracking caused by regular expansion and contraction of the aluminum during temperature changes.

I've been told though, that while the Type 3 gantries alleviate the problems associated with both the Type 1 and 2 gantries, designing the bracketing assembly that affixes the sign panel to the truss is a lot more difficult on the type 3 gantries than it was on the older designs.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 20, 2015, 11:18:15 PM
Pan-Am games HOV Lanes in Toronto area

Pretty cool, should they become permanent? (maybe 2+ after the games?)



Via http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/07/watch_the_hov_time-lapse_video_someone_just_created/ (http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/07/watch_the_hov_time-lapse_video_someone_just_created/)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 12:59:12 PM
^ NO. I was on the DVP and Gardiner pretty early in the morning on a Sunday a couple weekends ago. LOS D-E in the general-purpose lanes while the HOV lanes saw only a few cars. Maybe they're more beneficial during the week, but they're useless on weekends just by the nature of travel.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on July 21, 2015, 01:04:06 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 12:59:12 PM
^ NO. I was on the DVP and Gardiner pretty early in the morning on a Sunday a couple weekends ago. LOS D-E in the general-purpose lanes while the HOV lanes saw only a few cars. Maybe they're more beneficial during the week...

I think having a single stretch of HOV works poorly, but a large system works very well. I can't imagine getting around Seattle without HOV.

Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 12:59:12 PM
...but, they're useless on weekends just by the nature of travel.

I always thought the weekend was when the family all went out together, in groups larger than 1?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 21, 2015, 01:21:09 PM
Quote from: haljackey on July 20, 2015, 11:18:15 PM
Pan-Am games HOV Lanes in Toronto area

Pretty cool, should they become permanent? (maybe 2+ after the games?)

(video)

Via http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/07/watch_the_hov_time-lapse_video_someone_just_created/ (http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/07/watch_the_hov_time-lapse_video_someone_just_created/)

Yes... if you know what I mean  :spin:  :evilgrin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHGGvYs9v4s

Quote from: jakeroot on July 21, 2015, 01:04:06 PM
I think having a single stretch of HOV works poorly, but a large system works very well. I can't imagine getting around Seattle without HOV.

Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 12:59:12 PM
...but, they're useless on weekends just by the nature of travel.

I always thought the weekend was when the family all went out together, in groups larger than 1?

That's what I thought too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 02:54:07 PM
I meant that they're set up for long-distance travel. If you're only on for a few exits, as many people going shopping and such are, there's no reason to get over to the HOV lane because you're getting off as soon as you get over. And with them being 3+ instead of the usual 2+, you need a full car to qualify (unless, of course, you use a dummy).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 21, 2015, 04:15:50 PM
Quote from: haljackey on July 20, 2015, 11:18:15 PM
Pan-Am games HOV Lanes in Toronto area

Pretty cool, should they become permanent? (maybe 2+ after the games?)


No.

As I said earlier in this thread...


Quote from: cbeach40 on June 02, 2015, 10:51:17 AM
1. The purpose of the temporary HOV is to provide access for games officials and participants, VIPs, etc as well as the 3+ HOV. It's a case where the needs of the games were determined to be of greater importance than the need to move traffic.

Quote from: mrsman on June 01, 2015, 11:27:55 PM
It's just hard to believe that a highway this wide can't dedicate one lane to carpoolers and transit without the need to widen the highway even further.

2. Well, believe it, because that road is incredibly busy. Just looking at the hourly volumes for the location in that picture, if one lane were converted the road would likely be overloaded for all but the hours of 9:00 pm to 6:00 am every weeknight. Weekends would get more time in the morning, but busier later into the evening. Further west it gets even worse.

There are many effective ways to manage traffic demand, but converting existing GPL to HOV is like trying to lose weight by hacking off a limb.


Now we are seeing better performance than one would expect with the lane conversion, but that has more to do with people changing their habits for a special event than a practical solution. Yes, there is certainly a reduction in induced demand, but by converting to 2+ HOV (let alone 3+) essentially you're cutting capacity by 80% of a full lane on roads that are already overloaded. It's not sustainable, practical, or useful.

The HOV lanes are there to clear a path for the games. Not to provide any benefit to the people trying to live their everyday lives.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on July 21, 2015, 05:17:39 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 21, 2015, 04:15:50 PM
Yes, there is certainly a reduction in induced demand, but by converting to 2+ HOV (let alone 3+) essentially you're cutting capacity by 80% of a full lane on roads that are already overloaded. It's not sustainable, practical, or useful.

The HOV lanes are there to clear a path for the games. Not to provide any benefit to the people trying to live their everyday lives.

Would you support HOV lanes if they were on all GTA freeways, with a setup akin to Seattle or Los Angeles (with things like Texas T's and HOV-to-HOV ramps)? Like I just said a few posts ago, they seem to work well if there's additional HOV lanes on other area freeways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 07:28:30 PM
The HOV lanes in the GTA work when they are added on. Taking a lane away has basically angered everyone who lives in Toronto to the point where people are putting dummies in their cars or driving in the lanes alone even with the risk of a ticket. Heck, even the former mayor/current city council member uses them when the cops aren't looking. They were especially useless before the games began, when nobody was in them.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 22, 2015, 08:25:44 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on July 21, 2015, 05:17:39 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 21, 2015, 04:15:50 PM
Yes, there is certainly a reduction in induced demand, but by converting to 2+ HOV (let alone 3+) essentially you're cutting capacity by 80% of a full lane on roads that are already overloaded. It's not sustainable, practical, or useful.

The HOV lanes are there to clear a path for the games. Not to provide any benefit to the people trying to live their everyday lives.

Would you support HOV lanes if they were on all GTA freeways, with a setup akin to Seattle or Los Angeles (with things like Texas T's and HOV-to-HOV ramps)? Like I just said a few posts ago, they seem to work well if there's additional HOV lanes on other area freeways.

The GTA has experienced a fairly significant increase in HOV lane mileage since their debut in 2004.  In just over ten years the province has added about 40km of HOV lanes to the GTA's network, with another ~20 or so km currently under construction.

In all of the cities listed above, HOV lane networks were added over many decades of construction.  Specifically in LA, most of the lanes were added simply by converting the inner shoulder to an HOV lane.  In all cases, the low hanging fruit came first, with more expensive construction and HOV specific connectors coming afterwards.  I am sure that Toronto will continue to add to its HOV lane network, and will follow similar practices to other centres.  It should be noted as well, that Toronto also has a much more comprehensive transit system than virtually all cities with comprehensive HOV lane networks.  In 2011, nearly a quarter of all trips within the Toronto CMA were made on public transit.

It should be noted that within the Toronto CMA from 2006 to 2011 (the most recent figures) the amount of people who traveled to work as a passenger actually dropped during that time period.  In 2006, approximately 7.5% of people traveled to work as a passenger compared to only 5.4% who did so in 2011.  During that time, the modal share of people using public transit increased by a similar amount.  While I understand that correlation doesn't imply causation, it certainly is a reasonable conclusion to assume that at least some of the carpool traffic was cannibalized by the improvements to local and regional transit that were taking place during that time.

Transportation Modal Share information is available from StatsCan:
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-012-x/99-012-x2011003_1-eng.cfm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 22, 2015, 10:18:46 AM
Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 07:28:30 PM
The HOV lanes in the GTA work when they are added on. Taking a lane away has basically angered everyone who lives in Toronto to the point where people are putting dummies in their cars or driving in the lanes alone even with the risk of a ticket.

I definitely agree with you on that front, however...

Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2015, 07:28:30 PM
Heck, even the former mayor/current city council member uses them when the cops aren't looking.

I don't think Rob Ford is exactly the best gauge of behaviour for the city.  :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 22, 2015, 10:58:54 AM
You do have to give the driver marks for creativity:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/man-charged-for-driving-with-2-mannequins-in-hov-lane-1.3143701
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 27, 2015, 07:22:07 PM
A few photos of some ongoing construction along the 401 in the eastern GTA:

Construction at the 404/DVP interchange has exposed the concrete road base of the westbound collector lanes.  The collector lanes have been reduced to two lanes through the construction zone, while a fifth lane has been temporarily added to the express.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_cl_376_west_WB_C_Jul15_forum.jpg&hash=3ef209884cbf5afdf579d3e5f0e791a4e676437b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_cl_376_west_WB_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg

At Warden, the joints of the concrete are indicative of when the westbound collector lanes were only two lanes wide through the interchange.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_dv_378_west_C_Jul15_forum.jpg&hash=ec8a9e024b43456a156504fdf0914858109ac8d9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_dv_378_west_C_Jul15_24x16.jpg

Half of the Lakeridge Road has already been demolished.  I suspect it will be sometime before the section over the rail lines comes down.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_structure_407_southeast_Jul15_forum.jpg&hash=d3cc54cf275aa9b4a54a1ce93266c021c7cef9d6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_structure_407_southeast_Jul15_24x16.jpg

View looking easterly as Highway 401 passes beneath the future ramp to the eastbound 401 from Highway 412.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_dv_408_east_Jul26-15_forum.jpg&hash=bee292b57f0180bf3d9a935115e679eb4500c333)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_dv_408_east_Jul26-15_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 27, 2015, 11:09:18 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 27, 2015, 07:22:07 PM
Half of the Lakeridge Road has already been demolished.  I suspect it will be sometime before the section over the rail lines comes down.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_structure_407_southeast_Jul15_forum.jpg&hash=d3cc54cf275aa9b4a54a1ce93266c021c7cef9d6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_structure_407_southeast_Jul15_24x16.jpg

View looking easterly as Highway 401 passes beneath the future ramp to the eastbound 401 from Highway 412.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401_dv_408_east_Jul26-15_forum.jpg&hash=bee292b57f0180bf3d9a935115e679eb4500c333)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/Ontroads/401_dv_408_east_Jul26-15_24x16.jpg

Will the 401 be widened at some point here? I'm surprised it's still 6 lanes, even with the new interchange being built.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 28, 2015, 08:07:59 AM
There won't be any widening to the 401 as part of the interchange work itself, but the cross-section is being designed for an eventual width of six lanes per direction west of the 412, and five lanes per direction to the east.  Eventually the collector lanes will start at the 412 interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: amroad17 on August 04, 2015, 08:06:02 PM
I have been on the 401 twice in my lifetime (once from Hamilton to the 402 in 1998 and once from the QEW to southwest of Toronto in 2001).  The Toronto-bound traffic then was something.  I cannot imagine the difficulty of driving from Hamilton to the other side of Toronto now with the additional roadwork going on up there.  I am concerned about driving I-75 through Cincinnati with the reconstruction going on there and we do not have anywhere close to the amount of traffic that the 401 in Toronto has.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 08:26:04 AM
A few new photos taken of the construction along the Highway 407 corridor in Durham Region.  Construction is moving along well, but I am still not certain if they can finish the highway by the start of winter this year:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_cl_108-5_west_Aug15.jpg&hash=9c3808cf7e8129a0287fb281a7777871ce9ad6e9)
View of the then un-opened Brock Road interchange from the future Highway 407 overpass.  (The Brock Road interchange opened the day after these photos were taken).


(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_cl_109_east_t_Aug15.jpg&hash=cc7bb9f398e6519dd06373b45d4800782e5deb8d)
View looking easterly approaching the Sideline 14 overpass.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_cl_109-25_east_Aug15.jpg&hash=bdbf2c76e51b732c1203086abe90d581eaf24306)
Easterly view from the Sideline 14 overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_112_notenthused_Aug15.jpg&hash=d009197bece01c33f018404c848d854033f6243e)
Not everyone is excited about the extension of the 407.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_115_northeast_Aug15.jpg&hash=3976a420882a86ef93dcd13bfe258fe4ced1d20a)
View of the Lake Ridge Road overpass with the temporary Lake Ridge Road diversion operated adjacent to the new overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_116_n-w-ramp_under_Aug15.jpg&hash=57a94931dc742d9db86f2e416a4c7fd59c6d3210)
This steel structure will carry the ramp from Hwy 412 north to Hwy 407 west.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_120_west_Aug15.jpg&hash=6a737600fec6c6ddf1497904e5e5056541c6a4fd)
View looking westerly approaching the Hwy 12 overpass.  Paving operations had just commenced in this area when this photo was taken.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_cl_125-9_east_Aug15.jpg&hash=c79093c3cb3e8316a5f8d60b4efbfd52d3ca3b1d)
Easterly view approaching the Simcoe Street overpass.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_126_northeast_Aug15.jpg&hash=40e367c7373c227e660e408524159aa0daa088f0)
Additional view of the Simcoe Street overpass from the future southbound to eastbound loop ramp.

For the full set, and full resolution versions of the above photos, click here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm#Aug15 (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm#Aug15)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 24, 2015, 12:27:48 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 08:26:04 AM
A few new photos taken of the construction along the Highway 407 corridor in Durham Region.  Construction is moving along well, but I am still not certain if they can finish the highway by the start of winter this year:

I suspected the same. Judging from your pictures, Streetview from cross streets from April, and satellite from June, I'd say this road won't open until next Spring or even Summer.

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 08:26:04 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_structure_112_notenthused_Aug15.jpg&hash=d009197bece01c33f018404c848d854033f6243e)
Not everyone is excited about the extension of the 407.

:-D Could be NIMBY's. They'll probably remove that before the road opens.

Once again, excellent pictures. I don't know how you manage to get onto the site (I know I couldn't), but great pictures as usual. It doesn't look like signage has been installed yet. I know it's quite early in the construction stage though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 24, 2015, 06:28:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 08:26:04 AM
A few new photos taken of the construction along the Highway 407 corridor in Durham Region.  Construction is moving along well, but I am still not certain if they can finish the highway by the start of winter this year:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F08-Aug%2F407E_cl_108-5_west_Aug15.jpg&hash=9c3808cf7e8129a0287fb281a7777871ce9ad6e9)
View of the then un-opened Brock Road interchange from the future Highway 407 overpass.  (The Brock Road interchange opened the day after these photos were taken).

Did they close off that 'traffic light' intersection at the same time?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 06:40:11 PM
The pictured westbound off-ramp to Highway 7 is still in use, but yes, the traffic signals are no more at that location.

And, to signgeek, I just generally just park the car in a safe spot and then just walk onto the site.  I tend to go out on weekends when no one (or very few) are working.  I've been asked to leave a few construction sites over the years, but generally have never had any real trouble.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 24, 2015, 06:45:33 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 06:40:11 PM
The pictured eastbound westbound off-ramp to Highway 7 is still in use, but yes, the traffic signals are no more at that location.

Guess it's time to update both ON-7 & ON-407's files for the TravelMapping (former CHM) project.

New exit numbers up for the Brock Road interchange ramp going EB?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2015, 07:01:47 PM
It's Exit #105.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 12, 2015, 03:23:21 PM
Looks like a section of the newly twinned highway 69 has been opened. It runs from highway 64 to the Murdock River (9 km). Another section will open next year.

http://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2015/09/ontario-continuing-to-expand-highway-corridor-in-the-north.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on September 27, 2015, 02:32:37 PM
401/403/410 loop going in!

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5670/21210842219_b2baff7c6c_b.jpg)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vaughanweather/21210842219/sizes/k/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 10:53:48 PM
Quote from: haljackey on September 27, 2015, 02:32:37 PM
401/403/410 loop going in!

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5670/21210842219_b2baff7c6c_b.jpg)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vaughanweather/21210842219/sizes/k/

I never noticed there was no westbound on-ramp onto the 401 from the 403. Glad they're putting that in. Any information on when it will be complete?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on September 27, 2015, 11:40:55 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 10:53:48 PM

I never noticed there was no westbound on-ramp onto the 401 from the 403. Glad they're putting that in. Any information on when it will be complete?

There is one, but it's like 100km away:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.1217978,-80.6924639,14.75z?hl=en

Technically this is a ramp from 410 NB to 401 WB (I think?)

Completion is late 2018:
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/09/improvements-begin-on-highway-410.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 11:55:59 PM
Quote from: haljackey on September 27, 2015, 11:40:55 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 10:53:48 PM

I never noticed there was no westbound on-ramp onto the 401 from the 403. Glad they're putting that in. Any information on when it will be complete?

There is one, but it's like 100km away:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.1217978,-80.6924639,14.75z?hl=en

Technically this is a ramp from 410 NB to 401 WB (I think?)

Completion is late 2018:
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2014/09/improvements-begin-on-highway-410.html

Touché. That doesn't really count though  :-P

I don't really know where the 403 ends and the 410 begins. I'm sure the MTO has an official boundary but I don't know where it is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 28, 2015, 04:59:50 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 11:55:59 PM
I don't really know where the 403 ends and the 410 begins. I'm sure the MTO has an official boundary but I don't know where it is.

Well, for Highway 410, km 0.000 is at the centreline of Highway 401. For Highway 403, its end point is at that interchange.

This ramp would be for northbound 403 to westbound 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 28, 2015, 05:16:34 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 28, 2015, 04:59:50 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on September 27, 2015, 11:55:59 PM
I don't really know where the 403 ends and the 410 begins. I'm sure the MTO has an official boundary but I don't know where it is.

Well, for Highway 410, km 0.000 is at the centreline of Highway 401. For Highway 403, its end point is at that interchange.

This ramp would be for northbound 403 to westbound 401.

That's what I thought. Ramp breaks off before the centreline. On a different note, it's about flipping time they built these ramps.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on October 01, 2015, 11:33:22 AM
Is the 401E to 403S ramp part of the project too?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 01, 2015, 12:51:20 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on October 01, 2015, 11:33:22 AM
Is the 401E to 403S ramp part of the project too?

Yes. Grading is evident on Google Maps.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 02, 2015, 06:17:20 PM
A couple of photos of construction on Hwy 400 at the Hwy 9 interchange near Newmarket, north of Toronto.  Construction is underway to widen the highway through the interchange with the medium term goal of constructing HOV lanes on the 400 from Hwy 9 southern to Major Mack:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_dv_54_north_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=366a152a18b8aca45c6187981c6cb5515fc7027b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_54-75_north_w_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=4013789d8a84d92af4d0da30dc2109b0cb144f15)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_55_south_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=5df393886b813e80672dfd9a36a651ca1a94a91f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_55_north_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=68d29149cadd3adec4d097de6245a756c51a1ff1)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 03, 2015, 11:04:47 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 02, 2015, 06:17:20 PM
A couple of photos of construction on Hwy 400 at the Hwy 9 interchange near Newmarket, north of Toronto.  Construction is underway to widen the highway through the interchange with the medium term goal of constructing HOV lanes on the 400 from Hwy 9 southern to Major Mack:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_dv_54_north_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=366a152a18b8aca45c6187981c6cb5515fc7027b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_54-75_north_w_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=4013789d8a84d92af4d0da30dc2109b0cb144f15)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_55_south_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=5df393886b813e80672dfd9a36a651ca1a94a91f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_55_north_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=68d29149cadd3adec4d097de6245a756c51a1ff1)

I guessing the old bridge will have to be extended as well. How many lanes is it being widened to?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 03, 2015, 12:27:03 PM
The old bridge will be fully replaced as part of this work.  A couple of old bridges along the 400 between Toronto and Barrie are being replaced right now.

The new bridge will be built wide enough to have ten lanes beneath it in the future, but the highway is only going to be widened to eight lanes in the immediate future.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 06:27:35 PM
A couple of photos of the interchange between Highway 401 and Highway 412 Toll in Whitby.  These images were taken by me.  I'd prefer to be putting these up on my website (maybe one day I will), but it's just faster to do it this way:

View looking easterly from the Lake Ridge Road overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_407_east_WB_t_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=d342cd5d6be84ca4bee9a9383bd6ef82a274e66e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_407_east_WB_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_407_east_WB_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


View underneath the future ramp that will carry traffic between the eastbound 401 and Highway 412 northbound:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_structure_407-5_southwest-under_Sep15_forum.jpg&hash=0b5c04f2568315fe4df4202c480faaa87d2337d6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_structure_407-5_southwest-under_Sep15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_structure_407-5_southwest-under_Sep15_24x16.jpg)


Easterly view along Highway 401 from the 401 EB -> 412 NB ramp
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_407-5_east_t_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=5d8a98a21134143de04c90c9856870e12b445667)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_407-5_east_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_407-5_east_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


Westerly view along Highway 401 from the ramp that will carry traffic from the 412 SB -> 401 EB:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_408_west_WB_Aug15_forum.jpg&hash=a1396caa4e5ea8e5e30361674bc264be3e8df37a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_408_west_WB_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_408_west_WB_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


View of the unfinished ramp that will carry traffic from the 412 SB -> 401 EB.  The concrete deck screed is visible at the far side of the overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_408_east_rebar-ramp_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=ef76568f1457cd1b6ccc1502290c0481e7a6956b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_408_east_rebar-ramp_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_408_east_rebar-ramp_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


View looking beneath the above ramp:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_structure_108_under_south_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=9f3747a70a3784d590e64f28091a07dbbd6aa584)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_structure_108_under_south_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_structure_108_under_south_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


View from the Henry Street overpass in Whitby.  Note the lane shifts through the construction.  There was a pretty terrible collision through here the other night, where a transport truck slammed into queued traffic that had slowed due to night construction.  3 people were killed, and more than a dozen more were injured.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_409_west_t_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=3eac1e5b5b14b818d8ec036754c7610acac09c09)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_409_west_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_409_west_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg)


Finally, this is the Henry Street overpass itself.  It is scheduled to be replaced starting next year.  It is one of the oldest highway overpasses in the province.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F10-Oct%2F401_cl_410_west_onramp_t_Oct15_forum.jpg&hash=0b2c8e1b5ffcc2dd3171da6b6f68e8bbfca38d1d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_410_west_onramp_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/10-Oct/401_cl_410_west_onramp_t_Oct15_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 04, 2015, 07:03:24 PM
Out of curiosity, how does Ontario fund all their highways? Ontario, these days, reminds me of the US circa-1970s (lots and lots of freeway building).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
Ontario raised its gas taxes a few years ago, and the 407 and 412 will be toll roads.  Doesn't hurt that 100,000 new people move to the region each year either.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 04, 2015, 07:58:19 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
Ontario raised its gas taxes a few years ago, and the 407 and 412 will be toll roads.  Doesn't hurt that 100,000 new people move to the region each year either.

What he said. The GTA is growing at a very rapid pace and the expansions are needed to move people around. A lot of what they're building on is currently farmland, but it won't be that way for long.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2015, 09:03:33 AM
Ontario has enacted some fairly strong land use planning legislation for a lot of rural lands surrounding the GTA.  A considerable amount of agricultural land, as well as land that is part of the Oak Ridges Moraine has been protected from development.  The legislation sets development targets that 40% of new development in an urban centre should be generated from intensification in existing city centres rather than new greenfield development.  Understandably considering the scope of the legislation, it has received mixed reviews from different segments of the population.

Back to Highways, a lot of construction is underway or has recently been completed over the past few years:

Completed in 2013, the complex freeway section on Hwy 401 was extended for four kilometres through Mississauga:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm
An additional contract to extend the collector lanes westerly through the Mavis Road interchange is expected to be called this winter, with completion in 2020.

In 2014, a twelve kilometre extension of Hwy 404 was completed from Newmarket towards Keswick.  This alleviated traffic congestion along Woodbine Avenue, and has served the growing South Lake Simcoe portion of York Region.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy404_RavenshoeExtn_images.htm

Currently underway, there is the 407 Extension, which will extend the 407 east to Harmony Road in Oshawa and see the construction of Highway 412, a new north-south link between the 401 and 407 through western Durham Region.  The government has stated that this work should be completed by the end of this year, but such a timeline doesn't seem realistic to me given the amount of work that remains.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm

Twinning of the south end of the 406 through Welland should be completed in a few weeks.  I haven't been down that way in a while, but I can't see how this work wouldn't be finished on time:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy406_cons.htm#2012

Also, underway are projects to widen Highway 427 between the 409 and 407 to eight lanes (6 GPL + 2 HOV) as well as construction to widen the 410 to ten lanes between Highway 410 and Queen Street in Brampton (8 GPL + 2 HOV).

Work to extend the 427 to Major Mackenzie Drive should start within the next year or so, as the project has a tentative completion date of 2019.  An additional contract should be called to to widen the 427 through the 407 interchange.

Work to construct HOV lanes on the 400 between Hwy 9 and Major Mackenzie is likely going to be completed by the early 2020s, and the government has committed extending the current HOV lanes on the 404 as far north as Stouffville Road by 2019

West of Toronto, work to widen the 401 through Cambridge started earlier this year, and is expected to be completed by 2019.  Additionally, construction on a new four lane highway linking Kitchener/Waterloo to Guelph should be underway within the next year.  Some preparatory advanced work is currently ongoing.

This is in addition to the work that is ongoing to widen the K/W Expressway to six lanes through the western portion of the city:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm#Jul15

Further, there are a number of transit improvements ongoing in the region as well.  Several years ago, all day, 30 minute service was introduced on the Lakeshore GO lines within the region, with construction on additional improvements underway.  A 6.4km extension of the Spadina Subway line is currently underway.  The project is several years behind schedule, and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget.  A new east-west light-rail transit line is being constructed within the Eglinton Avenue corridor as well.  This line will feature an 8km tunnel, as well as at-grade on road sections.  http://www.thecrosstown.ca/  A new rail link between the Airport and Union Station was completed this year as well.  https://www.upexpress.com/  Finally, several new BRT's are being built as well, most notably across the Hwy 7 corridor in southern York Region, and along the Highway 403 corridor through Mississauga.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 05, 2015, 09:37:59 AM
I was on 406 a couple months ago and everything was paved. While there was still a little bit of undivided highway, NB was entirely grade-separated. It will be done soon, if it isn't already. Next time I hit up Swiss Chalet, I'll head over there and try and grab pictures.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2015, 10:29:41 AM
Swiss Chalet is definitely worth crossing the border for (though I am surprised you know of it).

The 406 is supposed to be finished in November.  It's been almost finished since last November, so I have to expect it'd be done soon.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 05, 2015, 01:31:33 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2015, 10:29:41 AM
Swiss Chalet is definitely worth crossing the border for (though I am surprised you know of it).

The 406 is supposed to be finished in November.  It's been almost finished since last November, so I have to expect it'd be done soon.

For a short time after I moved to Buffalo, they had a couple locations on our side of the border that closed. The last time I was there, the place was full of Americans. I cross quite often for it, Chinese food (also mostly Americans), and Nestlé/Mars candy that can't be bought here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on October 05, 2015, 10:06:22 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2015, 10:29:41 AM
Swiss Chalet is definitely worth crossing the border for (though I am surprised you know of it).

Add any restaurant that has hockey cards too (Tim Hortons). ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 05, 2015, 11:14:00 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2015, 09:03:33 AM
Ontario has enacted some fairly strong land use planning legislation for a lot of rural lands surrounding the GTA.  A considerable amount of agricultural land, as well as land that is part of the Oak Ridges Moraine has been protected from development.  The legislation sets development targets that 40% of new development in an urban centre should be generated from intensification in existing city centres rather than new greenfield development.  Understandably considering the scope of the legislation, it has received mixed reviews from different segments of the population.

Back to Highways, a lot of construction is underway or has recently been completed over the past few years:

Completed in 2013, the complex freeway section on Hwy 401 was extended for four kilometres through Mississauga:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_HurontarioCons_images.htm
An additional contract to extend the collector lanes westerly through the Mavis Road interchange is expected to be called this winter, with completion in 2020.

In 2014, a twelve kilometre extension of Hwy 404 was completed from Newmarket towards Keswick.  This alleviated traffic congestion along Woodbine Avenue, and has served the growing South Lake Simcoe portion of York Region.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy404_RavenshoeExtn_images.htm

Currently underway, there is the 407 Extension, which will extend the 407 east to Harmony Road in Oshawa and see the construction of Highway 412, a new north-south link between the 401 and 407 through western Durham Region.  The government has stated that this work should be completed by the end of this year, but such a timeline doesn't seem realistic to me given the amount of work that remains.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm

Twinning of the south end of the 406 through Welland should be completed in a few weeks.  I haven't been down that way in a while, but I can't see how this work wouldn't be finished on time:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/Hwy406_cons.htm#2012

Also, underway are projects to widen Highway 427 between the 409 and 407 to eight lanes (6 GPL + 2 HOV) as well as construction to widen the 410 to ten lanes between Highway 410 and Queen Street in Brampton (8 GPL + 2 HOV).

Work to extend the 427 to Major Mackenzie Drive should start within the next year or so, as the project has a tentative completion date of 2019.  An additional contract should be called to to widen the 427 through the 407 interchange.

Work to construct HOV lanes on the 400 between Hwy 9 and Major Mackenzie is likely going to be completed by the early 2020s, and the government has committed extending the current HOV lanes on the 404 as far north as Stouffville Road by 2019

West of Toronto, work to widen the 401 through Cambridge started earlier this year, and is expected to be completed by 2019.  Additionally, construction on a new four lane highway linking Kitchener/Waterloo to Guelph should be underway within the next year.  Some preparatory advanced work is currently ongoing.

This is in addition to the work that is ongoing to widen the K/W Expressway to six lanes through the western portion of the city:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm#Jul15

Further, there are a number of transit improvements ongoing in the region as well.  Several years ago, all day, 30 minute service was introduced on the Lakeshore GO lines within the region, with construction on additional improvements underway.  A 6.4km extension of the Spadina Subway line is currently underway.  The project is several years behind schedule, and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget.  A new east-west light-rail transit line is being constructed within the Eglinton Avenue corridor as well.  This line will feature an 8km tunnel, as well as at-grade on road sections.  http://www.thecrosstown.ca/  A new rail link between the Airport and Union Station was completed this year as well.  https://www.upexpress.com/  Finally, several new BRT's are being built as well, most notably across the Hwy 7 corridor in southern York Region, and along the Highway 403 corridor through Mississauga.

Ontario is sure quite busy with roads these days. You can find all the projects in the southern part being done and in the planning stages here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/highway-bridges/pdfs/southern-highways-program-2015-2019.pdf

Northern part here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/highway-bridges/pdfs/northern-highways-program-2015-2019.pdf

Unfortunately it appears the 417 work west of Ottawa to Renfrew has been pushed back though. You can't have it always your way.

Wish Manitoba would do something instead of talk about improvements, spend money doing study after study, and then decide not to build anything because of reasons.  :banghead:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on October 14, 2015, 03:06:01 AM
Does anyone know what's up with what looks like the construction of a new 403 to QEW westbound ramp  beside the existing one? Never read anything about this project:

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4947701,-79.6738053,232m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4947701,-79.6738053,232m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)






Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 14, 2015, 07:19:17 AM
It is being constructed as part of advanced work to stage the repair/replacement of several bridges at the Ford Drive and Highway 403 interchanges in Oakville.

Eventually that structure will carry a westbound sub-collector lane between the Winston Churchill and Ford Drive interchanges, but that is a ways off.  You can see the long term plan here:

http://www.oakville.ca/assets/general%20-%20residents/transportationstudy-403-QEW-execsum.pdf
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 19, 2015, 09:00:14 AM
Some new pics of Hwy 69 in Ontario, specifically covering the new four lane section of highway that opened earlier this year:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_173_north_Sep15.jpg&hash=4fe3b4b8d0ad5a1b24c8b4551142ad2f55a368ae)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_dv_CrookedLake_adv_north_Sep15.jpg&hash=6d03118e523ca84ed76e2116c671e1be26f4c368)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_structure_MurdockRiver_SB_east_Sep15.jpg&hash=16b808cedd2ce344ce9e6b8a2a66269c21a783f5)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69N_cl_Scurvesouth_south_Sep15.jpg&hash=a387ac73335d4bee8648f675b4b1ee266bbc9730)

The full set and larger images are found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 19, 2015, 09:24:45 PM
The highway 64 overpass I guess isn't open yet. Hopefully the MTO completes this project on schedule. Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2015, 07:46:13 AM
The Hwy 64 bridge was mostly finished when I visited back in June.  Work through the Hwy 64 interchange is scheduled to be completed next summer, which definitely seems possible given the amount of work that has been done thus far.

The ends of the Hwy 64 bridge abutment in the photo have been pre-loaded with blast rock in order to try and mitigate settling.  Highway building in northern Ontario is difficult.  The areas between the rock outcroppings tend to be filled with swampy muskeg, which is prone to settlement when fill is applied to it.  The MTO has generally done a fairly good job constructing Hwy 69 in order to minimize settlement by pre-loading large fills for a year or so before asphalt is applied to the road bed, but there have been some settlement areas.

The Hwy 17 freeway west of Sudbury was one of the earlier freeways built through northeastern Ontario and has some really problematic areas.  It's supposed to be reconstructed starting next year, but is currently, unquestionably, the section of freeway in the poorest condition in all of Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kennyshark on October 21, 2015, 12:47:23 PM
Last weekend was the first time I drove on Ontario Highway 400, between the GTA and Barrie.  I noticed the Ontario provincial logo carved into many of the overpasses, which looked cool.  Does anyone know the background or history of this artwork?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jwolfer on October 21, 2015, 01:11:47 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
Ontario raised its gas taxes a few years ago, and the 407 and 412 will be toll roads.  Doesn't hurt that 100,000 new people move to the region each year either.
Are most of the people coming from other parts of Canada? I have a friend from PEI and she told me lots of people leave for Toronto
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 21, 2015, 01:18:37 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on October 21, 2015, 01:11:47 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
Ontario raised its gas taxes a few years ago, and the 407 and 412 will be toll roads.  Doesn't hurt that 100,000 new people move to the region each year either.
Are most of the people coming from other parts of Canada? I have a friend from PEI and she told me lots of people leave for Toronto

That and immigration. Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world and the highest among G8 nations. If you can give anything to make the country a better place, they're more than happy to take you.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jwolfer on October 21, 2015, 01:21:06 PM
Quote from: cl94 on October 21, 2015, 01:18:37 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on October 21, 2015, 01:11:47 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
Ontario raised its gas taxes a few years ago, and the 407 and 412 will be toll roads.  Doesn't hurt that 100,000 new people move to the region each year either.
Are most of the people coming from other parts of Canada? I have a friend from PEI and she told me lots of people leave for Toronto

That and immigration. Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world and the highest among G8 nations. If you can give anything to make the country a better place, they're more than happy to take you.
It seems Toronto and Vancouver are the main places people go. Are there any other places that are big population magnets. To keep on topic specifically in Ontario
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2015, 01:46:42 PM
Quote from: kennyshark on October 21, 2015, 12:47:23 PM
Last weekend was the first time I drove on Ontario Highway 400, between the GTA and Barrie.  I noticed the Ontario provincial logo carved into many of the overpasses, which looked cool.  Does anyone know the background or history of this artwork?

The coat of arms that have been embossed into the structures are original to the construction of the 400.  I'm not sure the exact rationale of why they were embossed into the overpass, aside from the obvious assumption that the government of the day was proud of the construction of the 400.  Some of the bridges along Hwy 2A had the crest engraved in them as well.

Many of the bridges along the 400 are now reaching the end of their service life.  Most of the newly proposed replacement bridges are also planned to have the provincial coat of arms, in addition to some other historic aesthetic elements.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 22, 2015, 07:57:21 AM
There some aerial photos of Hwy-407 extension posted on Skyscraperpage forums.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7206395&postcount=4430
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 22, 2015, 10:59:57 PM
Anyone know when the construction season ends in southern Ontario? Does it depend on calendar day, or whenever it's just too cold to work?

Hopefully a Spring opening of the 407 then.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 23, 2015, 08:16:11 AM
There isn't a date, the construction activity is dependent upon the temperature.

For example, it should be 7 degrees or warmer when applying HL1 hot mix asphalt, and concrete cannot be allowed the freeze during its curing phase or it will be damaged by the expansion.  There are ways to cure concrete in the cold, it just gets more expensive for the contractor to pour concrete because they have to supply some form of winter heat.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 23, 2015, 11:08:48 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 23, 2015, 08:16:11 AM
There isn't a date, the construction activity is dependent upon the temperature.

For example, it should be 7 degrees or warmer when applying HL1 hot mix asphalt, and concrete cannot be allowed the freeze during its curing phase or it will be damaged by the expansion.  There are ways to cure concrete in the cold, it just gets more expensive for the contractor to pour concrete because they have to supply some form of winter heat.

Which means the construction season is just about over. On the other side of the Niagara River, it was 2 this morning. Stuff over here is wrapping up and we follow a similar schedule.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on October 26, 2015, 08:42:16 AM
Quote from: cl94 on October 23, 2015, 11:08:48 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 23, 2015, 08:16:11 AM
There isn't a date, the construction activity is dependent upon the temperature.

For example, it should be 7 degrees or warmer when applying HL1 hot mix asphalt, and concrete cannot be allowed the freeze during its curing phase or it will be damaged by the expansion.  There are ways to cure concrete in the cold, it just gets more expensive for the contractor to pour concrete because they have to supply some form of winter heat.

Which means the construction season is just about over. On the other side of the Niagara River, it was 2 this morning. Stuff over here is wrapping up and we follow a similar schedule.

Well, that's the low, but through the day when it's warmer they'll be working for sure. Typically we expect a cut-off of November 30th, but seeing work going on into mid-late December is not unheard of in the southwestern part of the province.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 29, 2015, 11:22:35 PM
According to Google, the 406 upgrading work is now complete. Now we can all say that the 400 series are freeways exclusively.  :clap:

Haven't found anything official from the MTO news feed yet though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2015, 08:45:09 PM
CBC Marketplace show on the low speed limits of Ontario:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-speed-limits-1.3292975
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MrDisco99 on November 02, 2015, 05:07:38 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2015, 08:45:09 PM
CBC Marketplace show on the low speed limits of Ontario:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-speed-limits-1.3292975

I wondered what locals thought of this when I drove through there last month.  I was surprised to see the limit was only 100 along the entire length of 401.  Having foreign plates, I tried to stay under the radar by setting cruise at 110, and had to stay out of everyone's way because I was getting passed by everyone, except some trucks which likely are governed to do the limit.  I can see how this can cause some problems.

Here in the US speed limits are typically 65 or 70 mph between cities, and go up to 75 or 80 mph out west.  I've also driven in the UK and Ireland which has speed limits of 70mph and 120kph on their motorways respectively.  I've found that where the speed limits are higher, you tend to see less variance in the speed of traffic.  You're always going to have a few menaces weaving through traffic at 150kph, but the majority of the traffic stays in a narrower speed range and results in smoother, safer flowing traffic.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 07, 2015, 06:36:30 PM
Some updated information about the 407 East Extension in the eastern GTA.  These pictures were taken on November 7, 2015

Some of the new signage has gone up on the 401.  To my knowledge, this is the only new signage that has been erected for the highway:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_405-5_east_Nov15.jpg&hash=5b8860330a0db4e02cd57ae2b7ea0cc5ecd724c3)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_405-5_east_Nov15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_405-5_east_Nov15_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_406_east_Nov15.jpg&hash=389648119499f065c698c72dd6531b6c6c8ab892)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_406_east_Nov15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_406_east_Nov15_24x16.jpg
The sign for the Lake Ridge Road interchange pre-dates almost all construction of the ramp itself.


Top coat asphalt has been applied to much of the future highway west of the Lake Ridge Road interchange.  Lines were applied at some point earlier this week.  Most of the highway is not this far advanced.  These views are from just west of Sideline 14 in Pickering, and look east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_109_east_t_Nov15.jpg&hash=3b515583ff43e129dbd60e58f8d0980245d48525)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/11-Nov/407E_cl_109_east_lg_24x16.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/11-Nov/407E_cl_109_east_t_Nov15_24x16.jpg

This view looks westerly from the Salem Road interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_112_west_WB_t_Nov15.jpg&hash=20643a13b23f0687045499c78497e0fda541da19)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/11-Nov/407E_cl_112_west_WB_t_Nov15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/11-Nov/407E_cl_112_west_WB_t_Nov15_24x16.jpg

More to come...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 07, 2015, 09:50:09 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 07, 2015, 06:36:30 PM
Some updated information about the 407 East Extension in the eastern GTA.  These pictures were taken on November 7, 2015

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_406_east_Nov15.jpg&hash=389648119499f065c698c72dd6531b6c6c8ab892)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_406_east_Nov15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_406_east_Nov15_24x16.jpg
The sign for the Lake Ridge Road interchange pre-dates almost all construction of the ramp itself.

Like the signage for the toll the MTO put up. Although I wish the text were a bit larger, so it's actually readable. The text looks like it's 15 cm letter height or something  :-/

I wonder why the signs weren't simply covered up. Those exits won't be open for months probably.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 08, 2015, 08:09:06 AM
^I don't know.  I had been expecting the signs to be covered up as well.  I had noticed the posts for the gantries had been erected a couple of weeks ago.  I read about the signs being erected in another forum earlier this week and was quite surprised.  I kind of think that the signs were erected this far in advance as a bit of an advertisement for the new highway, but maybe I'm just over thinking it...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2015, 04:11:37 PM
A couple of new signs (taken earlier today) along Highway 412:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F412_dv_1_south_Nov15.jpg&hash=e3eb9b29e7c08829fabaa5396ea91d02732b1958)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/11-Nov/412_dv_1_south_Nov15_lg.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/11-Nov/412_dv_1_south_Nov15_lg.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F412_dv_1-5_south_Nov15.jpg&hash=706681a9d2431c458017c55fcc60f3f8f8d13cf0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/11-Nov/412_dv_1-5_south_Nov15_lg.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/WDL/2015/11-Nov/412_dv_1-5_south_Nov15_lg.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 21, 2015, 06:18:00 PM
How many lanes will the 412 be? From the pictures it looks like there could be around 2-3 per direction.

Completely off topic, but I'm a little surprised there's no snow there yet. We just got our first snowfall here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on November 21, 2015, 06:22:03 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on November 21, 2015, 06:18:00 PM
How many lanes will the 412 be? From the pictures it looks like there could be around 2-3 per direction.

Completely off topic, but I'm a little surprised there's no snow there yet. We just got our first snowfall here.

This area has gotten very little so far. Quite unusual. Even the snowbelt south of Buffalo has barely gotten anything. The heavy snow that fell on the plains is coming down as rain. The region might get some measurable stuff on Monday, but that's about it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2015, 07:18:04 PM
No snow for Toronto as of yet.  The weather people are saying that some areas to the north and west of Toronto (probably in the traditional snow belt areas east of Lake Huron) could get up to 15cm of snow tonight.

The 412 will be four lanes (two per direction) when it opens.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 22, 2015, 11:06:55 AM
An update on the Nipigon River Bridge:

http://www.enl-tbay.com/NipigonBridge/PhotoAlbumFall2015.html

Obviously, the pictures aren't mine.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 22, 2015, 06:20:35 PM
That's a cool project.

They are supposed to be transferring traffic over to the new span at some point in the near future (if they haven't already).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 23, 2015, 08:17:48 AM
I have completed an update to the 407 East Extension Construction Page.  These photos were taken earlier in November.  Construction i still ongoing, so things may have changed somewhat since these photos were taken:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_105_east_t_Nov15.jpg&hash=1ce755cea0742ec10cf90254f972c4057d63d0ca)
Easterly view from Brock Road

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_105-8_east_Nov15.jpg&hash=61d8136282f39a6b51340a126005fcff3e98111e)
The Sideline 14 overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_109_west_w_Nov15.jpg&hash=30f5884180046db2207bee11572225bf61777730)
Westerly view from Salem Road

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_cl_112_west_E-S-ramp_Nov15.jpg&hash=9ae2640f35394342c466b0e50a66ce21788f8d1a)
Three level Highway 407/412 interchange

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_structure_115-5_west_Nov15.jpg&hash=94ac3940d88adb335d30508c7db7edf6434f9d04)
The Anderson Road overpass situated behind a big brother gantry

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_structure_121_north_Nov15.jpg&hash=598d2db4f544ad9ff1748ea0b5202778d58d39f0)
Un-completed Simcoe Street overpass

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F11-Nov%2F407E_structure_124_ramp_north_Nov15.jpg&hash=dab4b252b36a50a2aecb41b1f7d4042398e16a1a)
Crossing of the east branch of Oshawa Creek near the eastern terminus of the Phase 1 extension.

All of the photos are available here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy407_ConstructionImages.htm#Nov15
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on November 25, 2015, 05:56:23 PM
Don Valley Parkway at Eglinton Avenue in Toronto

Former cloverleaf.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/353/19863133985_3884bf9542_b.jpg)

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ai360/19863133985/in/dateposted/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 25, 2015, 08:53:28 PM
Last weekend, the rest of the Herb Gray Pkwy opened to traffic.

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/11/new-rt-hon-herb-gray-parkway-in-windsor-now-complete.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 07, 2015, 07:41:04 PM
HOT lanes will be debuting in Ontario next year.  The full details haven't been made public yet, but the pilot project is loosely based on the permit system that was used in Utah before they went to all-electronic tolling.

Also of note in the linked article is the scheduled completion date of the 427 extension as 2021, and if it's correct, that the 427 extension will open with four general purpose lanes (two per direction), and two HOT lanes (one per direction) as far north of Rutherford, instead of the more expected six general purpose lane cross-section that I had envisioned.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/12/07/toll-lanes-coming-to-ontario-highways.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on December 07, 2015, 09:42:07 PM
Interesting. Looks like Ontario is more so adapting US style tolling on its roads. I guess perhaps the HOV system didn't work as well as MTO thought it would, or maybe they want to establish a larger transportation budget in the future? I wonder how they will implement a HOT system.

On another subject, it appears the 407E has been formally delayed to next Spring. But we all knew that was going to happen  ;-)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 08, 2015, 08:15:49 PM
Some new photos related to the 412 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_407_east_Dec05-15.jpg&hash=77c52828efb9ff2fba3aeedd1fd10b84ac933ab8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_p11_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on December 11, 2015, 12:52:14 AM
^If the MTO is planning to widen 401 east towards Whitby, why are the the piers on the new overpass so close together?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 11, 2015, 07:38:50 AM
Collector lanes:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.407eastphase1.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fgallery%2Fsegment-b-1%2Fpic3-structure_b1_corrected.jpg&hash=64b16020720c0e42da68318500702771065c3255)
http://www.407eastphase1.ca/wp-content/gallery/segment-b-1/pic3-structure_b1_corrected.jpg

For interests sake, the structure design was somewhat neutred during the detailed design from what had been proposed in the preliminary design.  The preliminary design had proposed longer cast in place structures that are more typical of Ontario's highways:
http://asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Plates/Plate-12---407-East---WDL2---Rossland-Rd.jpg
(This image doesn't show the 401 in final configuration).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on December 11, 2015, 09:34:49 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on December 11, 2015, 12:52:14 AM
^If the MTO is planning to widen 401 east towards Whitby, why are the the piers on the new overpass so close together?

Any widening would likely be done in a core-collector configuration.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on December 15, 2015, 01:20:17 PM
407 East toll prices, man the government finds more ways to screw us.

Let's do some comparison

407 ETR 34.73 cents per km between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays

407 East 29 cents per km between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays

407 ETR 19.74 cents per km between 7pm and 6am on weekdays

407 East 19 cents per km between 7pm and 6am on weekdays

Of course I am not surprised by this at all, a growing sunshine list has to find more ways to keep it sustainable, these aren't taxes but "revenue tools". I thought the original purpose of a toll road is for maintenance of the toll road. Our counterparts even in WNY sees this kind of nonsense there, it costs a dollar to use the Grand Island Bridges, yet those bridges are in fairly rotten shape, the money goes right from the toll collectors hand into a slush fund in Albany.

On the topic of Western New York, the distance from the Lackawanna Barrier to the Ripley Barrier on the Thruway is around the same length of the original 407 ETR, yet that only costs around $3 to travel. God only knows how much it costs to drive the entire length of the 407.

But hey, it's all social engineering, the people in charge of the MTO and the City of Toronto are trying to make driving the new smoking so to speak. Think about it, what new real road infrastructure have we got since the opening of Hwy 407 ETR. A measely 410 and 404 extension. Maybe a widening here and there on parts of the 401 in the GTA like from Westney to Salem. We did however get many HOV lanes which are completely unfair and do absolutely nothing to help commercial traffic. The fact that the powers that be swiftly built an HOV only ramp, or a rail viaduct to the airport really is telling. That rail structure to the airport is arguably just as much as an "eyesore" as the Gardiner expressway, but hey, no one ever complains if the purpose of the said structure is used solely for public transit.

Am I anti public transit, I am not at all. However, I am for worthwhile public transportation, building LRTs like the ones proposed in Transit City are not really worth the investment, considering how light syncing could never be achieved to make the LRTs efficient. Take a look at the Highway 7 "Rapidway" and just watch how often the buses sit at lights in their dedicated lane in the middle of the road. The LRTs are exactly that but will use a "streetcar" like vehicle, yes, powered by a wire overhead. Also, what I don't get is the somehow backwards inefficiency we face with construction nowadays with regards to how much we have moved forward in technology. For instance, PRIVATE COMPANIES built the original subway lines in NYC, such as the BMT and IRT. Yet to build a subway line in NYC or here takes over a decade and costs billions of dollars. The question is why? How much of that often repeated $300 million dollar per km cost is actually bureaucracy?

Equally frustrating is how governments say they have no money for anything, yet the feds were able to magically use money for the 25,000 syrian "refugees". Yeah, Toronto is one of the best cities in the world, it just takes you hours to get anywhere in this city. We have bad enough traffic already, and what does the city want to do, oh yeah, knock down the Gardiner. There was a time when people had vision in this region, Frederick G Gardiner, the man the expressway was named after was responsible for getting the original Yonge line off the ground. There is always the story about the Bloor Viaduct, when that was built in the 1920s, somehow, the people knew in the future that there would be a subway line running underneath, so they built the viaduct with the intention to be able to run subway trains underneath, and that was a very good decision.

While the city could do without a Spadina Expressway, the decision to derail the 400 extension and the Gardiner extension were extremely bad moves that have real consequences today. People need to understand that not everyone is heading downtown, I go into the core every day, and I use the GO Train, because it's convenient for me, I'm only about a mile walk out of Union Station, so I take the train everyday. What about the person who lives in Brampton and has a job at Markham/401 area, they have no other choice but to use the 401 in that case. Better yet, what about a Bramptonian who works in Port Credit, want to spend hours on transit buses, I'm sure most don't. There are so many simple things they could do to make GO better, but they don't. In Los Angeles of all places, their equivalent to GO, called Metrolink, one of our lines has more riders than their whole system, yet they get all day two way service on all lines. What do they do, they don't run those giant 12 coach trains, there is no reason why every other line can't have 4 or 6 coach trains in not peak times that run all day. Consider that Metrolink is in LA, basically car capital of North America.

This is my rant for now and it shows my complete frustrations with  the city and region. I want this city to work, I really do, but the powers that be just make bonehead move after bonehead move after bonehead move.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on December 15, 2015, 03:14:59 PM
Actually, it doesn't all go to a slush fund in Albany. The people who say that are the same ones who think New York City gets all of the state's tax revenue (they get less back per dollar paid than anyone else) and Niagara Falls power goes to New York City (it mostly goes to factories in Upstate New York with a lot staying in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and the surrounding area). Most of it goes to pay salaries of the toll collectors (who have been there long enough to be making a decent salary) and engineering/maintenance personnel, as well as the ongoing redecking projects (at ~$50 million per deck) and bridge work along the mainline that will start shortly.

Also, 407 was designed to be express lanes to let people bypass 401. Don't compare it to the Thruway. Compare it to, say, the I-495 Express Lanes that hit $1/mile during a typical rush hour and can go much higher depending on traffic. That's a heck of a lot more per km than 407 even without the currency conversion. Also, it's an urban area. Urban tolls are often higher than rural tolls.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on December 15, 2015, 04:11:28 PM
Yes, mr know it all, cl94, there is one basic thing you need to understand, two wrongs don't make a right. Just because Virginia is getting away with highway robbery doesn't mean we should do it either. Then again, you in Buffalo aren't plagued by any traffic issues, well any that are problematic to say the least.

Funny how you call Highway 407 an urban route.....haha are you serious. The 407 East is mostly in the middle of nowhere, and if you want a comparable toll road to Highway 407, think the Illinois Tollway where the average rate is about 6 cents per mile. Now why don't you compare that to the over the top prices that government is charging. But as I said, they need to keep the sunshine list sustainable somehow.

The 407 wiseguy was originally designed to be a bypass of the 401, it was only in Bob Rae's government when that long anticipated route became a toll road, and then Mike Harris's government infamously leased it. Perhaps you should brush up on your history of the portion of the 407 in Halton Region (Oakville/Burlington), that wasn't supposed to be the 407 or a toll road there at all. That was supposed to be Hwy 403.

To correct the wrongs, the 407 east extension shouldn't have been tolled at all, Durham essentially has a beltway once the 418 is complete, but three sides of that beltway will have ridiculous toll rates.

What is going on in Virginia to me would be akin to having a special car on a subway train in which people pay three times the regular fare, get special access to this car (no lines at all), and can transfer between lines just as easily, a few weeks ago I took the subway and had to wait for 5 trains to pass before I could make the Bloor-Yonge transfer. With how much infrastructure and space required to set up such a system, everyone would benefit if they just extended the platforms by 2 car lengths at each station. (sounds expensive but would probably be cheaper than implementing my hypothetical two tier system) If the platforms are expanded everyone benefits, not just people who can pay the high costs of expensive fares easily.

What the government needs to learn is that people want to live in suburbia, I would NEVER want to raise a family in a tiny glass box in the sky in downtown Toronto.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on December 15, 2015, 05:34:17 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on December 15, 2015, 04:11:28 PM
Yes, mr know it all, cl94, there is one basic thing you need to understand, two wrongs don't make a right. Just because Virginia is getting away with highway robbery doesn't mean we should do it either. Then again, you in Buffalo aren't plagued by any traffic issues, well any that are problematic to say the least.

Funny how you call Highway 407 an urban route.....haha are you serious. The 407 East is mostly in the middle of nowhere, and if you want a comparable toll road to Highway 407, think the Illinois Tollway where the average rate is about 6 cents per mile. Now why don't you compare that to the over the top prices that government is charging. But as I said, they need to keep the sunshine list sustainable somehow.

The 407 wiseguy was originally designed to be a bypass of the 401, it was only in Bob Rae's government when that long anticipated route became a toll road, and then Mike Harris's government infamously leased it. Perhaps you should brush up on your history of the portion of the 407 in Halton Region (Oakville/Burlington), that wasn't supposed to be the 407 or a toll road there at all. That was supposed to be Hwy 403.

To correct the wrongs, the 407 east extension shouldn't have been tolled at all, Durham essentially has a beltway once the 418 is complete, but three sides of that beltway will have ridiculous toll rates.

What is going on in Virginia to me would be akin to having a special car on a subway train in which people pay three times the regular fare, get special access to this car (no lines at all), and can transfer between lines just as easily, a few weeks ago I took the subway and had to wait for 5 trains to pass before I could make the Bloor-Yonge transfer. With how much infrastructure and space required to set up such a system, everyone would benefit if they just extended the platforms by 2 car lengths at each station. (sounds expensive but would probably be cheaper than implementing my hypothetical two tier system) If the platforms are expanded everyone benefits, not just people who can pay the high costs of expensive fares easily.

What the government needs to learn is that people want to live in suburbia, I would NEVER want to raise a family in a tiny glass box in the sky in downtown Toronto.

Um, excuse me. I never said that it was always intended to be a toll road. I said 1990s and I have done my research. The main section is dense suburban. What it has since become is a less-congested alternative to 401.

The Illinois Tollway has been paid off for quite some time. 407 isn't all that old. And the high rates aren't unique to Virginia, either. The Port Authority has insanely high rates for the Hudson River crossings during rush hours. Peak-hour pricing is not unique and neither are high tolls. Heck, if you want high toll rates, look at the Pennsylvania Turnpike. That's currently $45 to go across the state and it's increasing to $50 next year. Give it a few years and it'll have a higher per-mile cost than 407.


edited for language
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on December 15, 2015, 06:05:50 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on December 15, 2015, 04:11:28 PM
What is going on in Virginia to me would be akin to having a special car on a subway train in which people pay three times the regular fare, get special access to this car (no lines at all), and can transfer between lines just as easily, a few weeks ago I took the subway and had to wait for 5 trains to pass before I could make the Bloor-Yonge transfer. With how much infrastructure and space required to set up such a system, everyone would benefit if they just extended the platforms by 2 car lengths at each station. (sounds expensive but would probably be cheaper than implementing my hypothetical two tier system) If the platforms are expanded everyone benefits, not just people who can pay the high costs of expensive fares easily.

Yeah, but that implies you can keep expanding the system. A lot of times, *express* tolls are implemented because there's just no more room to (reasonably) expand a freeway, and they have to start squeezing traffic out and into public transit and/or carpools. This is what Seattle is doing with their ETL: carpools (3+), vanpools, transit, etc are free. Single drivers either suffer in the GP lanes or pay a fee. AFAIC, not all will win in every scenario. The people who are hating on the tolls strongly believe that the DOT (or transport ministry) can create some system where everyone wins. Unfortunately, that scenario isn't always possible.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 26, 2015, 09:16:07 PM
Some new photos of the 412 approaching the 407 interchange in Durham Region:

Pre-advanced signage for both the Hwy 7 and 407 interchanges:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_7-5_north_c_Dec15.jpg&hash=22ee924fb126640472a99877a18f49423cf44b5d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_7-5_north_c_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_7-5_north_c_Dec15_24x16.jpg

Advanced signage for the Hwy 7 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_8-5_north_Dec15.jpg&hash=4c088d133473440d7561b1f7536352b01e9cdcde)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_8-5_north_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_8-5_north_Dec15_24x16.jpg

Turn-off signage for the Hwy 7 interchange with an advanced sign for the Hwy 407 interchange.  The 412 ends at the Hwy 407 interchange.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_9_north_Dec15.jpg&hash=f44f60543d23ae13b2c7fe93a8408ef73554aab0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_9_north_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_9_north_Dec15_24x16.jpg

Signage at the end of the 412:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_10_north_Dec15.jpg&hash=35d294fa7aadb8d3625fbe9f45ef3b1daf7ee958)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_10_north_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_dv_10_north_Dec15_24x16.jpg

View of the three level interchange between the 412 and the 407:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_structure_10_nw-three-level_Dec15.jpg&hash=a18d5440eaa88a032fd34c0123dbb56ba86eddce)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_structure_10_nw-three-level_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/412_structure_10_nw-three-level_Dec15_24x16.jpg

View looking westerly along the 407 from the 412 off-ramp:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F12-Dec%2F407_cl_112_west_WB-offramp_Dec15.jpg&hash=0a274d71ceb4a2666400fcb7a32f5a9c4e9b3199)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/12-Dec/407_cl_112_west_WB-offramp_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/12-Dec/407_cl_112_west_WB-offramp_Dec15_24x16.jpg

Easterly view along the 407 from the 412 off-ramp:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2015%2F12-Dec%2F407_cl_112_east_WB-offramp_Dec15.jpg&hash=7d4251f48dc8afb91bbf0d00b2d9e9cd9d95f569)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/12-Dec/407_cl_112_east_WB-offramp_Dec15_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2015/12-Dec/407_cl_112_east_WB-offramp_Dec15_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 10, 2016, 07:19:58 PM
Bad news for the Nipigon River Bridge (and the 11/17 twinning):

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/nipigon-river-bridge-closed-transcanada-1.3397831
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: JREwing78 on January 10, 2016, 09:16:34 PM
More: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/379810/Newly_constructed_Nipigon_Bridge_splits_in_cold_
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 11, 2016, 09:41:18 AM
The bridge at Nipigon has been reopened.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on January 11, 2016, 09:38:43 PM
Follow at https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17234
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on February 02, 2016, 06:56:12 PM
There's some new photos of Hwy-407 and Hwy-412 posted on Skyscraperpage forum at http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7320117&postcount=4731
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 10:01:24 AM
More signs have gone up along the 407 Extn:

Reassurance Shield
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407-Toll_shield_BrooklinWB_Feb16.jpg&hash=9614f2c29faec9ec14fc87a910bcd03c080950b5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407-Toll_shield_BrooklinWB_Feb16_lg.jpg

Exit signage:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407_dv_118-5_east_Feb16.jpg&hash=cce207c5098237ddb5dd3e278b19c5bfa8b8d243)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407_dv_118-5_east_Feb16_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407_dv_118-75_East_Feb16.jpg&hash=e1d4d2808243998399291ae0415300adf1b98861)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407_dv_118-75_east_Feb16_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407_dv_118-9_east_Feb16.jpg&hash=3cf9bb63de47cef1d4ed9e37954ca52e579d4734)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407_dv_118-9_east_Feb16_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407_dv_119_west_Feb16.jpg&hash=99a23d25c0b09bb903b22cc1905ecda823793d9f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407_dv_119_west_Feb16_lg.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2016%2F02-Feb%2F407_dv_120_east_Feb16.jpg&hash=737277632bc4eef92b0192eec617f834e810c4b7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2016/02-Feb/407_dv_120_east_Feb16_lg.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dcbjms on February 07, 2016, 12:44:14 PM
That 407 sign is new.  Has the white text on blue background been authorized for route markers like that?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?

Did the ETR Commision receive permission to use white-on-blue route markers from the MTO? Granted, I live nowhere near Ontario, but I can't recall seeing that type of marker before.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:22:20 PM
The route marker decision was made by the MTO.  The MTO has retained a private partner to build and operate the highway, but decisions such as signage and design were the provincial governments to make.

** edit **
The extension of the 407 won't be signed with the same route number as the ETR.  Both highways will beare the same number, but only the new extension will be signed with the above route number.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on February 07, 2016, 09:25:37 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?

Did the ETR Commision receive permission to use white-on-blue route markers from the MTO? Granted, I live nowhere near Ontario, but I can't recall seeing that type of marker before.

The 407 ETR and the new 407 should be looked at as different highways, sharing the same number. They have different shields (the ETR is a circular shield on a BGS, the new one is a standard ON shield), and the new 407 is looked after by the province.

I like the new shield though. The toll tab looks clean, and the directional tab uses FHWA, something Ontario doesn't do for standard tabs.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 10:39:58 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on February 07, 2016, 09:25:37 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?

Did the ETR Commision receive permission to use white-on-blue route markers from the MTO? Granted, I live nowhere near Ontario, but I can't recall seeing that type of marker before.

The 407 ETR and the new 407 should be looked at as different highways, sharing the same number. They have different shields (the ETR is a circular shield on a BGS, the new one is a standard ON shield), and the new 407 is looked after by the province.

I like the new shield though. The toll tab looks clean, and the directional tab uses FHWA, something Ontario doesn't do for standard tabs.

Oh okay I see. I hadn't been following this thread closely enough to to realize the difference. Whoops. At least the numbers are the same! Did the MTO ever officially introduce the new shield, or was it decided on in private?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dcbjms on February 08, 2016, 10:07:22 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on February 07, 2016, 09:25:37 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?

Did the ETR Commision receive permission to use white-on-blue route markers from the MTO? Granted, I live nowhere near Ontario, but I can't recall seeing that type of marker before.

The 407 ETR and the new 407 should be looked at as different highways, sharing the same number. They have different shields (the ETR is a circular shield on a BGS, the new one is a standard ON shield), and the new 407 is looked after by the province.

I like the new shield though. The toll tab looks clean, and the directional tab uses FHWA, something Ontario doesn't do for standard tabs.

That makes sense - and I also like the shield, too.  That's going to be a pain for atlases and maps to sign, though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on February 08, 2016, 10:21:33 AM
Quote from: dcbjms on February 08, 2016, 10:07:22 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on February 07, 2016, 09:25:37 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 07, 2016, 08:05:50 PM
I'm not sure I understand he question.  Who would need to authorize it?

Did the ETR Commision receive permission to use white-on-blue route markers from the MTO? Granted, I live nowhere near Ontario, but I can't recall seeing that type of marker before.

The 407 ETR and the new 407 should be looked at as different highways, sharing the same number. They have different shields (the ETR is a circular shield on a BGS, the new one is a standard ON shield), and the new 407 is looked after by the province.

I like the new shield though. The toll tab looks clean, and the directional tab uses FHWA, something Ontario doesn't do for standard tabs.

That makes sense - and I also like the shield, too.  That's going to be a pain for atlases and maps to sign, though.

Most widely-distributed things use the standard marker, as they often do in the US
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 08, 2016, 02:46:42 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 10:39:58 PM

Oh okay I see. I hadn't been following this thread closely enough to to realize the difference. Whoops. At least the numbers are the same! Did the MTO ever officially introduce the new shield, or was it decided on in private?

Are you meaning was there public consultation? I don't believe so, it was just done to go with the standard of blue signage for toll routes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on February 08, 2016, 02:56:50 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 08, 2016, 02:46:42 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 10:39:58 PM
Oh okay I see. I hadn't been following this thread closely enough to to realize the difference. Whoops. At least the numbers are the same! Did the MTO ever officially introduce the new shield, or was it decided on in private?

Are you meaning was there public consultation? I don't believe so, it was just done to go with the standard of blue signage for toll routes.

Err, sort of. Did the MTO ever have a press release of some sort? Some sort of letter from one engineer to another discussing the change? Usually there's some evidence online of a switch. All told, though, I think the blue shield is brilliant.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 08, 2016, 03:39:21 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 08, 2016, 02:56:50 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 08, 2016, 02:46:42 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 07, 2016, 10:39:58 PM
Oh okay I see. I hadn't been following this thread closely enough to to realize the difference. Whoops. At least the numbers are the same! Did the MTO ever officially introduce the new shield, or was it decided on in private?

Are you meaning was there public consultation? I don't believe so, it was just done to go with the standard of blue signage for toll routes.

Err, sort of. Did the MTO ever have a press release of some sort? Some sort of letter from one engineer to another discussing the change? Usually there's some evidence online of a switch. All told, though, I think the blue shield is brilliant.

1. No press release. The determination of that was after the latest PIC
2. It obviously was discussed between the project team and MTO Head Office
3. No, there rarely if ever is that kind of evidence on a warning or guide sign. It's a standard sign with a small variation.

MTO does hundreds of Non-standard Uniform Signs like this every year. Aside from regulatory signs, where there actually are issues that would arise from them, it's a complete non-event.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 03, 2016, 07:55:42 PM
Somewhat of a re-announcement, but the provincial government will be implementing an electronically tolled HOT lane on the 427 from Pearson Airport northerly to Rutherford Road.  This will be the first electronically tolled HOT lane in Canada.  The HOT lane that is being implemented on the QEW/403 will debut with a permitting system.

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-moving-ahead-with-first-electronic-hot-lane-in-hwy-427-expansion-plan-1.2802240

QuoteThe province is moving ahead with a plan to put Ontario's first electronic high-occupancy toll lane on a planned extension of Highway 427.

QuoteThe 15.5-kilometre stretch of dedicated HOT lanes with electronic tolling will operate in both directions on Highway 427, from south of Highway 409 to north of Rutherford Road. It is set to open in 2021.

QuoteDel Duca has said the province has plans for a network of electronic HOT lanes with pricing that is based on time of day and traffic flows.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on March 03, 2016, 11:09:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 03, 2016, 07:55:42 PM
Somewhat of a re-announcement, but the provincial government will be implementing an electronically tolled HOT lane on the 427 from Pearson Airport northerly to Rutherford Road.  This will be the first electronically tolled HOT lane in Canada.  The HOT lane that is being implemented on the QEW/403 will debut with a permitting system.

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-moving-ahead-with-first-electronic-hot-lane-in-hwy-427-expansion-plan-1.2802240

QuoteThe province is moving ahead with a plan to put Ontario's first electronic high-occupancy toll lane on a planned extension of Highway 427.

QuoteThe 15.5-kilometre stretch of dedicated HOT lanes with electronic tolling will operate in both directions on Highway 427, from south of Highway 409 to north of Rutherford Road. It is set to open in 2021.

QuoteDel Duca has said the province has plans for a network of electronic HOT lanes with pricing that is based on time of day and traffic flows.
How is this going to operate? Will HOV users be required to get a tag and flip it to "free", or will they get a special toll bypass lane that is monitored by police? How else do you separate toll paying traffic from free traffic? A camera can't always pick up the number of passengers.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 04, 2016, 07:52:31 AM
To my knowledge those details haven't been publicized by the province yet.  I'm not sure that the province has even finalized those details yet.  From what I understand, when construction is completed on the southern portion of the 427 between the Airport and Steeles Avenue (south of the 407) in 2017, the new HOV lane will operate just as that, an HOV lane.  The current construction contract only includes provisions for the installation of electronic tolling components (conduits, etc), but doesn't actually include any of the tolling infrastructure itself.  These will be installed later as part of a separate contract.

Personally, I am hoping for interoperability between this facility and the 407.  I believe (Chris knows more than I on this matter), that the province still owns the rights to the 407 transponder, even though the 407 ETR delivers that service on behalf of the province, so it might not be impossible.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 07, 2016, 09:28:59 AM
I have put together a page of photos of the project to build the 412 through western Durham Region.  This is the tolled highway that was formerly known as the West Durham Link, and will link Highway 401 to Highway 407 just east of Lake Ridge Road in Whitby.  The new highway is scheduled to open later this spring:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F12-Dec%2F407_dv_112-5_west_Dec15.jpg&hash=48b2663a5cee969d4f113a80fd8273b178ce41ec)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm)

-fixed URL.  -rmf67
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on March 07, 2016, 05:22:41 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 07, 2016, 09:28:59 AM
I have put together a page of photos of the project to build the 412 through western Durham Region.  This is the tolled highway that was formerly known as the West Durham Link, and will link Highway 401 to Highway 407 just east of Lake Ridge Road in Whitby.  The new highway is scheduled to open later this spring:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2FWDL%2F2015%2F12-Dec%2F407_dv_112-5_west_Dec15.jpg&hash=48b2663a5cee969d4f113a80fd8273b178ce41ec)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm (http://"http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm")

The link doesn't work...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 07, 2016, 06:15:54 PM
Copied from another forum, I'm guessing that's where the problem came from:

Here's a proper link:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on March 07, 2016, 08:47:05 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 07, 2016, 06:15:54 PM
Copied from another forum, I'm guessing that's where the problem came from:

Here's a proper link:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/Hwy412_ConstructionImages.htm

Somehow quotes got added into the URL field.  I've gone ahead and fixed it in your original post for ya. ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 14, 2016, 05:31:44 PM
Shockingly, I've uploaded some more new photos.  Primarily these photos detail the extension of Highway 401 through Windsor, through the perspective of Hwy 3.  By in large these photos were taken either in July or November 2015, though I have included a number of photos taken before construction to extend the 401 had commenced:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_dv_5-5_east_Jun15.jpg&hash=98591e13d348f53dfb3066cd9968e389dbf1260a)
The start of Hwy 401

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_5-75_west_Nov15.jpg&hash=50cfe148ed1a8253d2947e0e89bec693745c74fe)
Hwy 3 briefly opens up with a wide median at the western-most Hwy 401 interchange.  For a brief period, the eastbound and westbound lanes of the highway straddle Highway 401.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_6-4_west_ramp_Nov15.jpg&hash=03bda2accafe812c3fae245d04d8a65e0b3b74a1)
Ramp to Hwy 401 passing beneath Hwy 3.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_dv_6-6_west_Nov15.jpg&hash=53de7f6b1b173bd9db5bbd072718e93a68788c7e)
View of the same ramp as above first passing through the Hearthwood Tunnel, before passing beneath the Hwy 3 tunnel.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_6-9_east_Sep05.jpg&hash=f25a74dcf68a5c321e5cfc632cc9e6f6b13e65ae)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_6-9_east_Nov15.jpg&hash=106a75946ae45298f775e7fcc92be49883879d86)
Two views at the Huron Church Line intersection, looking east.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_8-5_east_Oct11.jpg&hash=d5ffd2bedc39255b185ab66c0a5ad93bd1f08022)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_8-5_east_w_Jun15.jpg&hash=14c03937bb0a401d4bca4976eb552d4c3872eb5a)
Two views looking easterly, just east of the Sandwich West Parkway intersection.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_9_west_Jun15.jpg&hash=31fab3ffb13766e4093881c4171f430d9f2692ae)
Hwy 3 in the vicinity of the Montgomery Street intersection.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_10-7_west_Oct11.jpg&hash=41cf0a361ea006ac0d30ae9e78f8a4717a404e34)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_11_west_Jun15.jpg&hash=5e70c47e1ab54ec88321d273a1cc0766e2a2b5ce)
Westerly view east of Howard Avenue.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_cl_321-3_west_Nov15.jpg&hash=c8fd10125454b461f408efc9dc40068527c7912f)
And kind of a bonus, not in Windsor, this is Hwy 3 passing over the Grand River Bridge in Cayuga.  Until this past year, an old 1920s vintage steel through truss bridge stood at this location.  It was replaced with a new steel beam bridge.  The new bridge was built off-alignment and will be slid into place using Teflon sliding pads.  Construction was supposed to be completed in 2015, however litigation between a neighbouring first nation community, and the government halted construction for much of the 2015 construction season.

The entire gallery can be seen here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/Hwy3_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on March 14, 2016, 06:25:11 PM
Any idea when construction usually starts in southern and northern Ontario? Here in Manitoba, it's not until usually sometime in early-mid May for "typical" work.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 14, 2016, 07:04:35 PM
April or May typically.

Though, construction has been ongoing pretty much all winter on several projects within the GTA, such as the 410 and the 407 Extn.  Obviously, there are limitations in what contractors can do in the winter compared to the summer.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 29, 2016, 02:33:17 PM
Province is moving ahead on the Morriston bypass on Hwy 6

http://guelph.ctvnews.ca/highway-6-bypass-construction-could-start-in-2020-province-says-1.2836712#

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on March 29, 2016, 04:41:58 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 14, 2016, 07:04:35 PM
April or May typically.

Though, construction has been ongoing pretty much all winter on several projects within the GTA, such as the 410 and the 407 Extn.  Obviously, there are limitations in what contractors can do in the winter compared to the summer.

It has also been a remarkably light winter.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 28, 2016, 08:19:35 AM
A few recently uploaded photos from the 417 through eastern Ottawa.  These photos were taken last summer and represent the completion of the 417 widening through eastern Ottawa as part of the LRT expansion program.  The extra lanes that were constructed have initially been opened as bus only lanes, but will be converted to general purpose lanes once construction on the LRT has been completed in 2018:

View looking westerly from Lees Road
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117-5_west.jpg&hash=b151d08a53b4842d37112b5bc870f903a1f270e5)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117-5_west_WB_Aug15.jpg&hash=8aa0c5c3530fd2d3b73a94863a7ae64af7b857c8)

View looking westerly from Riverside Drive
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_west.jpg&hash=7d76ab15f72cc9a508817f8d47a1a3644b11fa9c)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_west_C_Aug15.jpg&hash=61a7bbe0d3a12fc2653efdb54bd8d4daa43ab68e)

Easterly view from Riverside Drive.  The pedestrian overpass is new:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_east_Sep09.jpg&hash=082f9c0c7de6e234784aad739b50c564bf78dc2c)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_117_east_c_Aug15.jpg&hash=1d2b7cd848859555503346f7d503bbe73db20e0d)

Signage approaching the Ottawa Road 174 interchange (old Hwy 17)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_114_east.jpg&hash=774c402db63e4f7b05a9bbb8c661e01a4a75d308)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_113-5_east_Aug15.jpg&hash=4cbf9f70a65650af1ade6b77573337c7f64cf9f5)

Easterly view from the Cyrville Road overpass
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_114_east_C_Aug15.jpg&hash=21194a392db212cd50a4f99c84852cc6e5b56f1a)

I'm thinking the highway wasn't resurfaced as part of the current reconstruction since it will be reconfigured shortly down the road.  I'd imagine that once construction of the LRT has been completed, the highway will get a final coat of asphalt to cover all of the pavement scaring from construction lane scaring.

Additional photos are found on my website here
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy417_p5b_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Henry on April 28, 2016, 10:49:39 AM
Seems to me that the 400-series highways in ON are the best-designed freeway system in all of Canada, with the Autoroutes in QC a close second. The US could learn a thing or two from their neighbors to the north.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 28, 2016, 12:27:24 PM
I think Ontario does a pretty good job with it's freeway design.  There are certainly lessons that other jurisdictions can learn from the decisions that have been made here, however, MTO definitely pays a lot of attention to decisions that are made by FHWA and various US highway departments as well.  Certainly, various US highway jurisdictions are far ahead of Ontario when it comes to road pricing and HOT lane implementation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on April 28, 2016, 02:52:48 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 28, 2016, 12:27:24 PM
I think Ontario does a pretty good job with it's freeway design.  There are certainly lessons that other jurisdictions can learn from the decisions that have been made here, however, MTO definitely pays a lot of attention to decisions that are made by FHWA and various US highway departments as well.  Certainly, various US highway jurisdictions are far ahead of Ontario when it comes to road pricing and HOT lane implementation.

I've noticed that MTO and NYSDOT share a lot of the same practices. NYSDOT has been adopting several of MTO's practices recently (continuity lines everywhere, speed limit "begins" signage, reflective border, plus others) that other states either have not adopted or have been slow to adopt.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on April 28, 2016, 06:37:03 PM
I though the "begin speed limit XX" signs were becoming less common?  I remember seeing them everywhere when the 65 mph zones in NY were new, but now not so much.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on April 28, 2016, 06:44:33 PM
Quote from: vdeane on April 28, 2016, 06:37:03 PM
I though the "begin speed limit XX" signs were becoming less common?  I remember seeing them everywhere when the 65 mph zones in NY were new, but now not so much.

They started coming back in the 2010s. NYSTA's are relatively recent (and I know the ones they have downstate are recent). The ones on the Northway went up within the past 5-10 years. The eastern part of the state had zero in the 90s and 00s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 28, 2016, 08:14:24 PM
It's interesting to hear the comparison between MTO's roads and those of New York State.  From a design stand point (not considering signage), I've never really considered MTO's roads to be that similar to that of New York.  To me, MTO roads are much more similar to those in Michigan.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on April 28, 2016, 08:36:48 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 28, 2016, 08:14:24 PM
It's interesting to hear the comparison between MTO's roads and those of New York State.  From a design stand point (not considering signage), I've never really considered MTO's roads to be that similar to that of New York.  To me, MTO roads are much more similar to those in Michigan.

The best comparison is probably New Jersey. Driving in the GTA is quite similar to driving in North Jersey, down to the dual roadways in some places. The New Jersey Turnpike and 401 are two of the longest, if not the longest, quadruple-carriageway limited-access highways in the world.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on April 28, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
Quote from: vdeane on April 28, 2016, 06:37:03 PM
I though the "begin speed limit XX" signs were becoming less common?  I remember seeing them everywhere when the 65 mph zones in NY were new, but now not so much.

I don't know if the NYSTA is technically different from the NYSDOT, but I can CLEARLY remember back when I used to do the trucking run in 2003 to Middlefield, OH (yes I was a passenger of course) seeing speed limit signs that said "BEGIN SPEED LIMIT 65" after we crossed the Lackawanna toll barrier, and the Ripley toll barrier. Incidentally, the past weekend, I drove to Erie, PA (and briefly went into Ohio) and I don't recall seeing the BEGIN SPEED LIMIT signs anymore.



As for design standards, I could be wrong on this, but I could have swore that the GTA freeways were inspired by the ones in Chicagoland....it is in Chicago after all where we can find the 401's father, the Dan Ryan Expressway, the concept that was borrowed there with their express-local system and amplified across the top of (what was then) Metropolitan Toronto on Highway 401. Incidentally, I may have read that GTA freeways being based on the Chicagoland freeways on AsphaltPlanet's site.

The NJ Turnpike may use a quadruple-carriageway, but it is different in how it functions than the 401, I'm not sure if these two roads can honestly be compared myself. Unless you want to make an argument that the 401 Express lanes are the Truck Lanes (which they kind of are) but of course they aren't as the express lanes of course don't have direct exits.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on April 28, 2016, 10:36:39 PM
That is recent. The sign was up a month ago. Then again, checking GSV, Region 1 had them in a few locations in the late 2000s as well. Guess my memory is mistaken. Maybe it's just the Northway that got the signs in 2012? Regardless, it's a nice feature that provides positive reinforcement that helps to eliminate confusion at a speed limit change.

The "begin" signs on the Thruway near the Garden State must have gone up when the speed limit on that section was raised. I don't remember "begin" signs when the speed limit increased to 65 at Exit 16 (can someone confirm this?). Similarly, the "begin" signs on 84 must have been installed since 2000, as the speed limit on I-84 didn't increase to 65 until ~2004, IINM.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on April 28, 2016, 10:59:28 PM
Quote from: cl94 on April 28, 2016, 10:36:39 PM
That is recent. The sign was up a month ago. Then again, checking GSV, Region 1 had them in a few locations in the late 2000s as well. Guess my memory is mistaken. Maybe it's just the Northway that got the signs in 2012? Regardless, it's a nice feature that provides positive reinforcement that helps to eliminate confusion at a speed limit change.

The "begin" signs on the Thruway near the Garden State must have gone up when the speed limit on that section was raised. I don't remember "begin" signs when the speed limit increased to 65 at Exit 16 (can someone confirm this?). Similarly, the "begin" signs on 84 must have been installed since 2000, as the speed limit on I-84 didn't increase to 65 until ~2004, IINM.

It looks like I was mistaken, indeed, when you are heading WB on the Thruway past the Lackawanna Barrier, there is indeed a BEGIN SPEED LIMIT 65 sign, but a similar one doesn't exist in Ripley.....does the legal speed change at toll plazas, I don't think it does in NY but I could be wrong.

If there is anything that has a similar feel in design to something in NY up here, what reminds me of a common overpass on the Thruway you can find at the DVP at Spanbridge Road:

(https://goo.gl/maps/X8eNvXUuHSC2)

I was thinking more so with the bridge piers, there is no other bridge (to my knowledge) that has this design anywhere else in Ontario, yes I know this is a City of Toronto road and not under MTO jurisdiction.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 11, 2016, 10:27:46 AM
http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/6713632-walk-run-or-wheel-on-hwy-407-in-whitby/

If anyone wants to clinch a section of freeway before it opens (by walking on it), here is your opportunity!  :-D

Based on the article, my prediction is that the 407 will open on Sunday, 19 June (a day after the event). Still no official date though  :-/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 11, 2016, 10:31:24 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 11, 2016, 10:27:46 AM
http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/6713632-walk-run-or-wheel-on-hwy-407-in-whitby/

If anyone wants to clinch a section of freeway before it opens (by walking on it), here is your opportunity!  :-D

Based on the article, my prediction is that the 407 will open on Sunday, 19 June (a day after the event). Still no official date though  :-/

Gotta love these kind of things.  I was able to clinch PA Turnpike 576 in a similar way.  Walked/drove the first 2 miles, then was able to clinch the other 4 miles on a PAT bus that was giving tours of the other part. :)  Gotta love being able to clinch a toll highway for free, and before it opens. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ghYHZ on June 12, 2016, 07:55:29 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on June 11, 2016, 10:31:24 PM
Gotta love these kind of things.  I was able to clinch PA Turnpike 576 in a similar way.  Walked/drove the first 2 miles, then was able to clinch the other 4 miles on a PAT bus that was giving tours of the other part. :)  Gotta love being able to clinch a toll highway for free, and before it opens. :)

I did that too....the day before the Confederation Bridge opened. Took the ferry over to PEI (the last day they operated...and a last ride!) then walked the 13 km back to New Brunswick on the bridge. Masses of people...so many they were telling you to stay to the right of the centre-line.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 12, 2016, 11:49:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?

Yes, because their opening dates were delayed. They were supposed to open last fall, but that didn't happen. To compensate, the Ontario government said it will not charge toll fees for a few months.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on June 13, 2016, 07:32:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 12, 2016, 11:49:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?

Yes, because their opening dates were delayed. They were supposed to open last fall, but that didn't happen. To compensate, the Ontario government said it will not charge toll fees for a few months.
ROAD TRIP.
Hopefully details are posted here so I can schedule my annual Canadian excursion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 13, 2016, 10:39:32 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 13, 2016, 07:32:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 12, 2016, 11:49:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?

Yes, because their opening dates were delayed. They were supposed to open last fall, but that didn't happen. To compensate, the Ontario government said it will not charge toll fees for a few months.
ROAD TRIP.
Hopefully details are posted here so I can schedule my annual Canadian excursion.

Please. Post details. I'll make another journey to Toronto to clinch the thing if I have to.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 13, 2016, 10:53:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 13, 2016, 07:32:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 12, 2016, 11:49:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?

Yes, because their opening dates were delayed. They were supposed to open last fall, but that didn't happen. To compensate, the Ontario government said it will not charge toll fees for a few months.
ROAD TRIP.
Hopefully details are posted here so I can schedule my annual Canadian excursion.

Not too long ago you were saying that you would pay a fortune for a M-C Freeway shield, when commenting on our group photo, and that cost wasn't an issue....yet you want to bolt up here to get a free ride on 407 Toll? Sorry, it had to be said :D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on June 13, 2016, 11:17:08 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 13, 2016, 10:53:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 13, 2016, 07:32:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 12, 2016, 11:49:44 PM
Quote from: Alps on June 12, 2016, 10:53:47 PM
I heard today that the newly opened highways will be toll free for awhile? Three months?

Yes, because their opening dates were delayed. They were supposed to open last fall, but that didn't happen. To compensate, the Ontario government said it will not charge toll fees for a few months.
ROAD TRIP.
Hopefully details are posted here so I can schedule my annual Canadian excursion.

Not too long ago you were saying that you would pay a fortune for a M-C Freeway shield, when commenting on our group photo, and that cost wasn't an issue....yet you want to bolt up here to get a free ride on 407 Toll? Sorry, it had to be said :D
An M-C shield is an investment. I'll never get anything from that toll. Also, I passed an M-C shield years ago - the last one - and failed to get a photo. Still kicking myself for not turning around for it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 17, 2016, 03:01:08 PM
Breaking news: 407 East opening on Monday

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/06/first-section-of-new-highway-407-set-to-open.html

QuoteToday, Ontario announced that the first section of the new Highway 407 in Durham Region will be open to traffic for morning commuters on Monday, June 20, helping to manage congestion and supporting economic growth in the region.

The highway will be open from Brock Road in Pickering to Harmony Road in Oshawa. Highway 412, which connects Highway 407 and Highway 401, will also open. There will be a toll-free period on the new Highways 407 and 412 until the new year, allowing drivers to travel on these roads free of charge. Following that, tolls will be in place.

You have until the end of December to clinch them toll-free.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 18, 2016, 10:34:16 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 11, 2016, 10:27:46 AM
http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/6713632-walk-run-or-wheel-on-hwy-407-in-whitby/

If anyone wants to clinch a section of freeway before it opens (by walking on it), here is your opportunity!  :-D

Based on the article, my prediction is that the 407 will open on Sunday, 19 June (a day after the event). Still no official date though  :-/

I took advantage of this and did a few legal selfies for the fun of it:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_zpsmeconp63.jpeg&hash=fbf2d6999862d429d883ff2e3fbf87c6092de684)

As the road will not be tolled until Jan 1, 2017, all reference to it being a toll road is covered up or removed. Hence the TOLL tab is missing from this shield.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_zpsjambksfi.jpeg&hash=af9ca58abe03fab4b0bc8a6d9aa8397656d2b0a2)

Yes, it was kind of like a street festival, the kind of things that Pearson Airport puts on yearly in the fall where you get to walk on the tarmac.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_zpsqhespu5i.jpeg&hash=3dfd4806bc4bcad0b5b50c8dd005e8c8a52db258)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_zpspejxmtbx.jpeg&hash=c744cff384b5f197289de4e0c99c2a20a3323cd8)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2016, 12:08:54 PM
407 and 412 are now open.

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/06/20/highway-407-extension-opens-in-durham-region/

Time to see how long it takes Google to update the maps  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 02:47:35 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2016, 12:08:54 PM
407 and 412 are now open.

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/06/20/highway-407-extension-opens-in-durham-region/

Time to see how long it takes Google to update the maps  :-D

412 is already showing on Google.

Waze has already been updated and OPP is running a speed trap just east of the Sideline 14 bridge (where the meet photo was). 401 is supposedly quite backed up at 412.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 20, 2016, 03:11:22 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 02:47:35 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2016, 12:08:54 PM
407 and 412 are now open.

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/06/20/highway-407-extension-opens-in-durham-region/

Time to see how long it takes Google to update the maps  :-D

412 is already showing on Google.

Waze has already been updated and OPP is running a speed trap just east of the Sideline 14 bridge (where the meet photo was). 401 is supposedly quite backed up at 412.

I drove on the 412 NB and seriously, I counted six OPP cruisers on the road. They really wanted us to know that we can't take advantage of the road....if you didn't see already, this is what I took this morning at around 7:



This is heading NB on 412 and then WB on 407 to Brock Road....I didn't want to be charged for no reason after all.



This is from the eastern terminus heading WB on 407 to SB on 412.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 03:18:55 PM
Nice. Given the frequency at which I have seen OPP running a traffic detail, I didn't realize they even owned 6 radar guns.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 20, 2016, 03:27:58 PM
Quote from: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 03:18:55 PM
Nice. Given the frequency at which I have seen OPP running a traffic detail, I didn't realize they even owned 6 radar guns.

Well who knows, there were two groups of two cop cars facing each other in the median, perhaps they weren't doing enforcement but just chatting. I didn't run into any OPP on the 407 though.

Also interesting of note is the temporary scales they can set up, again you know my opinion about weigh stations on toll roads, they are never seen on toll roads in the US. And yes I can understand going up the 412 to beat the Whitby scale beyond Thickson Road on the 401, there doesn't seem to be a purpose in the SB scale on Hwy 412, as truck traffic heading east would potentially have to face another scale, the abforementoned Whitby Scale. Of course I'm assuming a truck uses the 407 and comes down the 412 onto the 401 in my example of potentially facing two consecutive scales.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: tdindy88 on June 20, 2016, 06:03:12 PM
What's the speed limit along this highway, so I know what to stick close to when I drive along it Saturday.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2016, 06:59:28 PM
With Ontario, all the 400 freeways are (most of the time) 100 km/h. No exception here. But you should know that the general flow of traffic goes about 110-120.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 07:06:55 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on June 20, 2016, 06:59:28 PM
With Ontario, all the 400 freeways are (most of the time) 100 km/h. No exception here. But you should know that the general flow of traffic goes about 110-120.

Correct. There are very few exceptions, notably approaching the US border (drops when nearing Customs), 420 (entire length is 80), 403 in Hamilton (80), and 406 in St. Catharines (80). Traffic often moves at least 120. Just make sure you're not the fastest person and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2016, 10:27:58 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 20, 2016, 06:03:12 PM
What's the speed limit along this highway, so I know what to stick close to when I drive along it Saturday.

The best advice I can give to someone driving in a new jurisdiction would be for them to pay attention to those around them.

If you are passing everyone, you're going to fast.

If you are being passed by everyone, you're going to slow.

If you are passing some people and passing others, you're doing it right.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on June 20, 2016, 11:50:55 PM
Just don't go 50 over. OPP reserves the right to impound your car if you do. Granted, that's the equivalent of going 93 mph, but you have been warned.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 21, 2016, 12:53:40 PM
Hey, how about a highway that almost never gets any attention on here? Hwy 138 planning study is underway:

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/06/14/focus-on-highway-138

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on June 21, 2016, 11:11:55 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on June 21, 2016, 12:53:40 PM
Hey, how about a highway that almost never gets any attention on here? Hwy 138 planning study is underway:

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2016/06/14/focus-on-highway-138

I haven't thought of that one. That would be a nice project to watch if I still lived in Orleans   :)
I could definitely see the logic in adding passing lanes on that roadway. It appears to be a major two lane highway right now, going to Cornwall and all. I don't know much about 138 though, so I can't really comment.

I heard something about improving County 174 at Trim Rd in Orleans (making Trim Rd an interchange) east to Rockland or something in that nature. AADT in that area apparently is 25 000. Orleans eastwards has grown quite a bit and just recently Trim Rd itself was changed from a two lane country road into a four lane urban boulevard.



Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 23, 2016, 10:34:28 PM
Some photos of Highway 412:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_0-25_south_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=979aeee588bcd52f6629f3bff56d7fe16502cd34)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_1_south_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=d2d63833feaa4c639f89326f2990d5ab477b8ec3)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_2_south_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=332266750418ed8ced16c9273314e7bdfec7543b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_cl_1_north_sunset_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=4489dbdb59bc35489d69c0440a40219a83bfbb0d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_7-5_north_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=9947a657ad76cdb634757fe3fd6b387764410f10)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_8-5_north_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=e4d5616277128dd2a8719970d909766ef83af605)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_9-5_north_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=f372656395c295719ec99bbce0df38e7f9f9b31f)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy412_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 24, 2016, 07:16:26 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 23, 2016, 10:34:28 PM
Some photos of Highway 412:

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Hwy412_images.htm

Might want to update your page.  At the bottom, the last 5 images you show, you list dates in 2010. ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 24, 2016, 07:57:42 AM
Lol thanks, the link at the bottom of the page takes people to the 410 as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aridawn on June 25, 2016, 03:32:23 PM
I traveled the new routes on opening day, at six in the morning beautiful drive with no traffic.   I am wondering why ON-412 has no shields posted in either direction where as 407, has route reassurance shields posted at opening?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on June 25, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
I assume it's because they accidentally put up 412 ETR shields (since taken down) and need to manufacture the correct ON 412 shields.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 25, 2016, 10:16:26 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 25, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
I assume it's because they accidentally put up 412 ETR shields (since taken down) and need to manufacture the correct ON 412 shields.

Yup, the reassurance shields on the 407 in that area surrounding the 412 interchange oddly just have an "EAST" or "WEST" tab that looks like an ETR tab with no shield at all. I think it was an honest mistake by the contractor, but some are suggesting it's potential foreshadowing on who will get these new roads.....
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on June 27, 2016, 01:01:57 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 25, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
I assume it's because they accidentally put up 412 ETR shields (since taken down) and need to manufacture the correct ON 412 shields.

I was wondering why there were no picture of the 412 shields. I'm assuming these will be white-on-blue like the new 407 shields?

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 25, 2016, 10:16:26 PM
I think it was an honest mistake by the contractor, but some are suggesting it's potential foreshadowing on who will get these new roads.....

I certainly hope not! The last thing we need is the 407 ETR taking more of our toll money  :banghead: It's bad enough the provincial government will still be charging toll rates almost as high as the ETR
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on June 29, 2016, 05:03:31 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 23, 2016, 10:34:28 PM

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F412_dv_9-5_north_Jun20-16.jpg&hash=f372656395c295719ec99bbce0df38e7f9f9b31f)

I notice the control city for 407 EAST sign is covered up until the 407 is completed to 35/115. I can see the tip of the "G" in "Peterborough".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 29, 2016, 06:45:35 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on June 27, 2016, 01:01:57 PM
Quote from: vdeane on June 25, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
I assume it's because they accidentally put up 412 ETR shields (since taken down) and need to manufacture the correct ON 412 shields.

I was wondering why there were no picture of the 412 shields. I'm assuming these will be white-on-blue like the new 407 shields?

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 25, 2016, 10:16:26 PM
I think it was an honest mistake by the contractor, but some are suggesting it's potential foreshadowing on who will get these new roads.....

I certainly hope not! The last thing we need is the 407 ETR taking more of our toll money  :banghead: It's bad enough the provincial government will still be charging toll rates almost as high as the ETR

I saw this article via Tollroadsnews about Hwy-407 ETC, West Face pushes SNC-Lavalin to sell his 407 stake.
http://tollroadsnews.com/news/daily-news-brief-june-29-2016#10
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/west-face-pushes-snc-lavalin-to-sell-highway-407-stake-sources-say/article30649570/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 09, 2016, 08:40:54 AM
I posted these on another forum, but here are a few recent photos of Hwy 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_166_south_t_Jun16.jpg&hash=1339738821af0cb4e471765122f644296a713b65)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_166_north_t_Jun16.jpg&hash=db174283abd3280860574525e9ad8a60d3500a6d)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_168_south_SB_Jun16.jpg&hash=d208e6767d39a104cb6df3d59eec7bc2c1eea6db)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_168_south_c_Jun16.jpg&hash=d2fe0eb1c271f7b3ad1216a0948457a2ceeaa862)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_168_north_c_Jun16.jpg&hash=39065d4de329b3d0bf6f3664590994988e66a384)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_168_north_NB_Jun16.jpg&hash=f3fe50da87008fd14a62fceb4713a6191b88a356)

My Hwy 69 page:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 09, 2016, 12:05:52 PM
Looks like it will be done on time. How did you manage to get on the overpass during construction? Surely it must be closed off to the public, right?

I've been looking for an update on this, thanks for providing it.

According to Ontario 511, this section should open by the 26 August. It looks like it may open earlier than that.

If anyone is interested: http://www.highway69.ca/highway69/index.html

I doubt the entire road will be done by 2021. But maybe it will?

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 09, 2016, 12:11:00 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 09, 2016, 12:05:52 PM
Looks like it will be done on time. How did you manage to get on the overpass during construction? Surely it must be closed off to the public, right?

Same way we got on 407 overpasses during the Toronto meet- he probably walked on and nobody stopped him. Not like there's a fence preventing access or anything and the overpass is probably completed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 14, 2016, 09:56:58 PM
I decided to take a few photos of my namesake highway in Kitchener :)

For those who don't know, the widening of 7/8 from 4 to 6 lanes is almost complete. Here's the link for the project website:
http://www.highway7-8.com/Pages/Home.aspx (http://www.highway7-8.com/Pages/Home.aspx)

The project started in the fall of 2011 and will be complete by August. In addition to widening, there were interchange improvements, installation of high mast lighting, more noise barriers, etc. The project limits are from just west of Fischer-Hallman Rd to the 7/8 split

Views from the shopping centre by the Homer Watson interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FToRbFmf.jpg&hash=72e40d52da42d5080239dd89aadc093abf18bbf4)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFPzEhK9.jpg&hash=50cb9bc809fa89b89bbecef54d52cdee11eead92)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqZdQeS9.jpg&hash=d2d64a17a09dfc6855690f7c12721ce1844a726e)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F36t3qPH.jpg&hash=a955ad121aaa6e99c2133e5547f9a0c926b7f052)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9Asa6Go.jpg&hash=028adc68fd70d7dc04ead176e12ef387b9692390)

Line-Painting from the 7/8 split to just before Homer Watson Blvd. This was causing traffic even at 9pm:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fu5gyW9T.jpg&hash=3b9ca7ec0fd0a8387b34633aa36cd82beece0679)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FTRYkyRN.jpg&hash=d2ab334ccd350c4edf98d314162d43b60c6eefcf)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 15, 2016, 09:28:53 AM
Looks like most of the paving is done.  I was last out there in May, at that time all of the signs had been erected, but top coarse paving had yet to begin.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 15, 2016, 10:30:02 PM
Thanks for the pictures. To be honest, this project slipped through the cracks for me. Looks good as usual. Hope the old 'Homer Watson Blvd' sign is removed, or we'll have a candidate of the 'Department of Redundancy Department' thread.

Also, for fun, I made up a sign drawing for the 64 at 69 interchange last year, but never posted it. I want to see how close I got before the real sign is revealed.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2F64North-aaroads%2520modified%25202016.05.23_zpsw4o2wfe1.png&hash=e737740e72146668047719f009241004825538da)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 15, 2016, 11:30:26 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 15, 2016, 09:28:53 AM
Looks like most of the paving is done.  I was last out there in May, at that time all of the signs had been erected, but top coarse paving had yet to begin.

I saw a few spots that still need surface asphalt, but to me it looks like they should have no problems finishing on time.

Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 15, 2016, 10:30:02 PM
Thanks for the pictures. To be honest, this project slipped through the cracks for me. Looks good as usual. Hope the old 'Homer Watson Blvd' sign is removed, or we'll have a candidate of the 'Department of Redundancy Department' thread.

Also, for fun, I made up a sign drawing for the 64 at 69 interchange last year, but never posted it. I want to see how close I got before the real sign is revealed.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1291.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb551%2Fslik_sh00ter%2F64North-aaroads%2520modified%25202016.05.23_zpsw4o2wfe1.png&hash=e737740e72146668047719f009241004825538da)

You're right, I didn't notice how silly it is that there are two Homer Watson signs one after the other. If it's still there in August, I'll add it to that thread :)

At first I saw the black squares and thought you were going for the New Jersey look, but then I saw the "omit black surrounding shield/arrow"  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 16, 2016, 07:49:01 AM
Good work on the sign.

The real sign signs both 64 and Daoust Lake Road Road, so it's quite a long sign.  I also believe that Sturgeon Falls has been included as a control city.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 16, 2016, 12:29:32 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 16, 2016, 07:49:01 AM
Good work on the sign.

The real sign signs both 64 and Daoust Lake Road, so it's quite a long sign.  I also believe that Sturgeon Falls has been included as a control city.

I wasn't aware there was a road name for 64. Anyway, I do these type of things for fun. I try to put myself into the head of the sign person who designs it (including incorporating the DOT's standard's, in this case the MTO).

Also, on Google Earth, it looks like there is work being done south of there at ON 607. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be an interchange there (it would make sense), but looks like earthwork is underway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 17, 2016, 06:21:45 PM
I finally got to take the 412 and part of the new 407 extension today. I know pictures have already been posted here, but I wanted to take some too :)

Exit signs on 401 WB for 412
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FTeSMStT.jpg&hash=33e5e21fdd7927782db1c2a6957aec4bf524c0b5)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FGyeslQs.jpg&hash=be22ec19171b258a95497797b12ab04f59857704)

Current median is all gravel. Do they plan on planting grass?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXYKMEFM.jpg&hash=fe5cf2a15da031a5361d3b8e74ab57be3f1bc3ca)


Compare the exit signs for Exit 5 and Exit 9. Is it just me, or is the font different? The second one doesn't look as good to me.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaP9cKmB.jpg&hash=b547d6749f7220bd4535b4b146edc695438b085c)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhWXw6HL.jpg&hash=71e525c21cbf38c8bdd9707d615cc12c16c2b889)

Taunton Rd Overpass
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVdy9b2W.jpg&hash=b97e3752e96b6f2a5813dcb47b56e4bf1c0e96d7)

Signage for 407 Exit
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FP73rFJQ.jpg&hash=378e78ea5d8bf2b804b34c25ad292c2ad0748980)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEiH8mjw.jpg&hash=ed55df9a0db7a7a93cd7eaccb09a1b5320be7590)

As pointed out earlier, Peterborough is covered up on these 407 signs
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRezoFBQ.jpg&hash=80effa1734c99f1679d5f0e4a50c0eade1d53ca4)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLjdq1RB.jpg&hash=f9b0e3b9513c6e146e1d69a936086be8bc92731d)

On ramp to 407 WB. What font is this? It doesn't look like FHWA, but maybe I'm wrong.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdRHUYiM.jpg&hash=47acec52d1cc7ab3841e48678ecb28e726ddd62c)

The white-on-blue 407 shield I love so much :) I didn't see any 412 shields up yet.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPzQDuSo.jpg&hash=94f6405a7edcef92cb1177c6931474429d129d78)

Sign notifying drivers that they're switching from the provincial 407 to the 407 ETR
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaNEuB5b.jpg&hash=faa892f43bd04343a0fba4065ffedadcf75b6f75)


Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 17, 2016, 06:33:24 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 17, 2016, 06:21:45 PM
Compare the exit signs for Exit 5 and Exit 9. Is it just me, or is the font different? The second one doesn't look as good to me.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FaP9cKmB.jpg&hash=b547d6749f7220bd4535b4b146edc695438b085c)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhWXw6HL.jpg&hash=71e525c21cbf38c8bdd9707d615cc12c16c2b889)

Both of them are series EM. But the '9' seems bigger than the '5'. I think they're so big because the exit numbers are single digits.

Quote from: 7/8 on July 17, 2016, 06:21:45 PM
On ramp to 407 WB. What font is this? It doesn't look like FHWA, but maybe I'm wrong.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdRHUYiM.jpg&hash=47acec52d1cc7ab3841e48678ecb28e726ddd62c)

You're correct to be suspicious. It is FHWA series C. Ontario typically uses 'D'.

Not sure why that sign was made using 'C' though  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 17, 2016, 07:10:37 PM
^ I knew I could count on SignGeek101 to answer my font questions :-D

I also took a few pictures on the 407 ETR today.

All the signs for Donald Cousens Parkway had a very condensed font. I know it has to do with the long name, but it still looks odd to me.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FBytyKuY.jpg&hash=ebef3a5f6e137c40eea0da27c7596c6bf3d46d6e)

The numbers for the Regional Roads seem too small compared to the size of the Flowerpot shields. I've never noticed this on MTO signs.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLnxZxq1.jpg&hash=d7af1ecb086f4d869d0e5c5d3e3aee7ece1b55ce)

I posted this sign in the "Design Errors" thread. The "2.5 km" doesn't line up, and it looks too close together.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fb3vGIox.jpg&hash=fbe843156a1cc5ad06922fe53baad6b09dce3733)

The 407 logo seems disproportionally big too me.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F28A5QML.jpg&hash=e0d13f6842f43fee2962c74246458c822e4a0ae0)

I remember my boss at the MTO being surprised at how the 407 ETR is 6 lanes wide, and isn't split into an express-collector system. I agree, if your tire bursts in the middle lanes, it's a long way to the shoulder :-/
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqeFl5t2.jpg&hash=161946f8bf5e51aeb3dc0435953827f89d76b4f6)

There seems to be a long construction zone, this picture is taken before Bramalea Rd heading WB. I saw a few lightposts laying on their sides, and the TCB (temporary concrete barrier) stretches for dozens of kms.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsPikOhr.jpg&hash=164198371ba840acf1d92757b5a419bfb4661b47)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
So I'm planning to head down to Toronto next year. I decided to read up on Ontario's highways and learned about the large downloading in 1997-1998.

It's said that the downloading was for highways that had more local significance than for through traffic, but some downloadings in the GTA don't make sense to me.

Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 07:44:02 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
So I'm planning to head down to Toronto next year. I decided to read up on Ontario's highways and learned about the large downloading in 1997-1998.

It's said that the downloading was for highways that had more local significance than for through traffic, but some downloadings in the GTA don't make sense to me.

Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?

I have the same questions too. Ontario already has the concept of Connecting Links, where a provincially highway is signed as a highway, but is actually locally maintained. Why didn't they make more of these Connecting Links instead of mass downloading?

Victoria St in Kitchener is a good example of a well-done Connecting Link. It is signed as both Highway 7 and RR 55. Everyone calls it Hwy 7, but the RR 55 shield lets you know that the road is maintained by the region.

Also, the cost of replacing all the signs for downloading most of cost a lot of money! And now you have situations like Highway 9 where there's a large gap filled by CR 109. To make matters more confusing, there are still some signs referring to the old highways, and Apple Maps and some GPS's still incorrectly use the old highway numbers! :pan:

In my opinion, it made a mess of our highway system, and it makes me jealous of other states/provinces that have a more extensive and logical state/provincial highway system.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:12:19 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?

I heard the downloading in 1997 were for roads that were redundant (parallel to each other that travelled a great distance, like ON 2 and 401 in eastern Ontario). ON 2 was axed except for a small piece in eastern Ontario. It was turned into CR 2 in most areas. The downloading in 1998 was because the provincial government at the time was in debt (it still is) and wanted to transfer maintenance to the counties (passing the hot potato I suppose). Many of these transfers were illogical.

As for the GTA, I'm not sure where the original routes were (except for ON 2). The QEW through Toronto was turned over to the city (now called the Gardiner Exwy). You can still find signs for ON 2 in Toronto though (and other formally provincial routes across the province).

Here's an example: https://goo.gl/maps/qSihMcgMgj32 (in the background you can see the CR shield now)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:32:48 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:12:19 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?

I heard the downloading in 1997 were for roads that were redundant (parallel to each other that travelled a great distance, like ON 2 and 401 in eastern Ontario). ON 2 was axed except for a small piece in eastern Ontario. It was turned into CR 2 in most areas. The downloading in 1998 was because the provincial government at the time was in debt (it still is) and wanted to transfer maintenance to the counties (passing the hot potato I suppose). Many of these transfers were illogical.

As for the GTA, I'm not sure where the original routes were (except for ON 2). The QEW through Toronto was turned over to the city (now called the Gardiner Exwy). You can still find signs for ON 2 in Toronto though (and other formally provincial routes across the province).

Here's an example: https://goo.gl/maps/qSihMcgMgj32 (in the background you can see the CR shield now)

Highway 7 became Peel RR 107 and York RR 7. Mostly followed Queen Street and the road is still named "Highway 7" in places.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:32:48 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:12:19 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?

I heard the downloading in 1997 were for roads that were redundant (parallel to each other that travelled a great distance, like ON 2 and 401 in eastern Ontario). ON 2 was axed except for a small piece in eastern Ontario. It was turned into CR 2 in most areas. The downloading in 1998 was because the provincial government at the time was in debt (it still is) and wanted to transfer maintenance to the counties (passing the hot potato I suppose). Many of these transfers were illogical.

As for the GTA, I'm not sure where the original routes were (except for ON 2). The QEW through Toronto was turned over to the city (now called the Gardiner Exwy). You can still find signs for ON 2 in Toronto though (and other formally provincial routes across the province).

Here's an example: https://goo.gl/maps/qSihMcgMgj32 (in the background you can see the CR shield now)

Highway 7 became Peel RR 107 and York RR 7. Mostly followed Queen Street and the road is still named "Highway 7" in places.
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:30 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 11:32:48 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:12:19 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 01:32:41 AM
Why weren't the designations kept to be easy routes to follow in the GTA? It would've still had significance to a tourist to navigate the GTA (outside of freeways) and pass by landmarks. Was it because they were useless for people passing through, or were they actually just for locals?

I heard the downloading in 1997 were for roads that were redundant (parallel to each other that travelled a great distance, like ON 2 and 401 in eastern Ontario). ON 2 was axed except for a small piece in eastern Ontario. It was turned into CR 2 in most areas. The downloading in 1998 was because the provincial government at the time was in debt (it still is) and wanted to transfer maintenance to the counties (passing the hot potato I suppose). Many of these transfers were illogical.

As for the GTA, I'm not sure where the original routes were (except for ON 2). The QEW through Toronto was turned over to the city (now called the Gardiner Exwy). You can still find signs for ON 2 in Toronto though (and other formally provincial routes across the province).

Here's an example: https://goo.gl/maps/qSihMcgMgj32 (in the background you can see the CR shield now)

Highway 7 became Peel RR 107 and York RR 7. Mostly followed Queen Street and the road is still named "Highway 7" in places.
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

That and 402 further west. I expect more to be downloaded as 407 gets extended.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

Supposedly that is the case:

QuoteThe western segment was separated from the rest of Highway 7 on June 7, 1997, when the section from Brampton to Markham was downloaded due to the opening of Highway 407.

Now that a new section of ON 407 (not to be confused with 407 ETR, but connected to it) opened last month, who knows if the ON 7 to the south will be axed as well?

I would guess the same thing happened when the 427 opened (though that opened in 1971). The MTO I guess decided that having two provincial highways side-by-side didn't make sense (which it really doesn't in this case).  By the way, ON 427 is going to be extended farther north:

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/03/ontario-moving-forward-on-highway-427-expansion.html

In Toronto, CR 2, 7, 11A, 27 and 50 were all formally provincial highways. Honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shield for any of these guys except for 2. It took awhile for me to even find the old alignment for ON 50.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 18, 2016, 04:15:31 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

Supposedly that is the case:

QuoteThe western segment was separated from the rest of Highway 7 on June 7, 1997, when the section from Brampton to Markham was downloaded due to the opening of Highway 407.

Now that a new section of ON 407 (not to be confused with 407 ETR, but connected to it) opened last month, who knows if the ON 7 to the south will be axed as well?

I would guess the same thing happened when the 427 opened (though that opened in 1971). The MTO I guess decided that having two provincial highways side-by-side didn't make sense (which it really doesn't in this case).  By the way, ON 427 is going to be extended farther north:

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/03/ontario-moving-forward-on-highway-427-expansion.html

In Toronto, CR 2, 7, 11A, 27 and 50 were all formally provincial highways. Honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shield for any of these guys except for 2. It took awhile for me to even find the old alignment for ON 50.

The others are pretty evident.

404 was recently extended to the north and it is quite nice. 410 is a CF with the ongoing widening.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 11:05:23 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

Supposedly that is the case:

QuoteThe western segment was separated from the rest of Highway 7 on June 7, 1997, when the section from Brampton to Markham was downloaded due to the opening of Highway 407.

Now that a new section of ON 407 (not to be confused with 407 ETR, but connected to it) opened last month, who knows if the ON 7 to the south will be axed as well?

I would guess the same thing happened when the 427 opened (though that opened in 1971). The MTO I guess decided that having two provincial highways side-by-side didn't make sense (which it really doesn't in this case).  By the way, ON 427 is going to be extended farther north:

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/03/ontario-moving-forward-on-highway-427-expansion.html

In Toronto, CR 2, 7, 11A, 27 and 50 were all formally provincial highways. Honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shield for any of these guys except for 2. It took awhile for me to even find the old alignment for ON 50.

There are still a fair number of outdated provincial highway shields outside the GTA. I've seen Highway 59 shields at Norfolk CR 59 and Hwy 3, Hwy 54 shields also by Hwy 3, and a Hwy 8 shield on King St E near the 401. I've probably seen more, but can't remember where.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 18, 2016, 11:21:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 11:05:23 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

Supposedly that is the case:

QuoteThe western segment was separated from the rest of Highway 7 on June 7, 1997, when the section from Brampton to Markham was downloaded due to the opening of Highway 407.

Now that a new section of ON 407 (not to be confused with 407 ETR, but connected to it) opened last month, who knows if the ON 7 to the south will be axed as well?

I would guess the same thing happened when the 427 opened (though that opened in 1971). The MTO I guess decided that having two provincial highways side-by-side didn't make sense (which it really doesn't in this case).  By the way, ON 427 is going to be extended farther north:

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/03/ontario-moving-forward-on-highway-427-expansion.html

In Toronto, CR 2, 7, 11A, 27 and 50 were all formally provincial highways. Honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shield for any of these guys except for 2. It took awhile for me to even find the old alignment for ON 50.

There are still a fair number of outdated provincial highway shields outside the GTA. I've seen Highway 59 shields at Norfolk CR 59 and Hwy 3, Hwy 54 shields also by Hwy 3, and a Hwy 8 shield on King St E near the 401. I've probably seen more, but can't remember where.

There's a Highway 11 shield kicking around SB on Yonge just beyond Steeles attached to a lamppost. It's very faded but it's still there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:28:38 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 18, 2016, 11:21:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 11:05:23 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 04:11:51 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 18, 2016, 03:22:54 PM
What was Highway 7's replacement? Was it Highway 407 ETR? I'm planning on doing roadgeeking in the GTA while I'm at it and I'm trying to find old King's Highway signs prior the downloading, so that's why I'm wondering what the original highways were too.

Supposedly that is the case:

QuoteThe western segment was separated from the rest of Highway 7 on June 7, 1997, when the section from Brampton to Markham was downloaded due to the opening of Highway 407.

Now that a new section of ON 407 (not to be confused with 407 ETR, but connected to it) opened last month, who knows if the ON 7 to the south will be axed as well?

I would guess the same thing happened when the 427 opened (though that opened in 1971). The MTO I guess decided that having two provincial highways side-by-side didn't make sense (which it really doesn't in this case).  By the way, ON 427 is going to be extended farther north:

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2016/03/ontario-moving-forward-on-highway-427-expansion.html

In Toronto, CR 2, 7, 11A, 27 and 50 were all formally provincial highways. Honestly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a shield for any of these guys except for 2. It took awhile for me to even find the old alignment for ON 50.

There are still a fair number of outdated provincial highway shields outside the GTA. I've seen Highway 59 shields at Norfolk CR 59 and Hwy 3, Hwy 54 shields also by Hwy 3, and a Hwy 8 shield on King St E near the 401. I've probably seen more, but can't remember where.

There's a Highway 11 shield kicking around SB on Yonge just beyond Steeles attached to a lamppost. It's very faded but it's still there.

https://goo.gl/maps/cLca2S9erSL2

That one is at least 30 years old. Look at the 1's without the serif.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 19, 2016, 01:14:11 AM
Looks like the former highways in the GTA were replaced by freeways. 2 was replaced by 401, 7 by 407, 11 by 400, 27 by 427 and 400, and 50 by nothing? Not sure what Highway 50 would have in terms of importance.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 19, 2016, 02:06:20 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 19, 2016, 01:14:11 AM
Looks like the former highways in the GTA were replaced by freeways. 2 was replaced by 401, 7 by 407, 11 by 400, 27 by 427 and 400, and 50 by nothing? Not sure what Highway 50 would have in terms of importance.

Not everything was simply replaced by freeways, these highways existed for their own purpose. If I recall Highway 50 was first designed to take you from what is now Nashville Road (which was a provincial highway) up to Bolton. This highway was then extended to meet Hwy 27 in Etobicoke and Highway 89 close to Alliston.

If you want to play this game, which freeway replaced Hwy 5, or how about Hwy 48? I don't see anything remotely close that replaces Hwy 25. Similarly Highway 24 is downloaded north of the 401, which freeway replaced that one?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 12:58:22 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed here yet, but do you guys think having the 412, 418 and 35/115 is a bit overkill? How many ways do people need to get between the 401 and the 407? I would think the 412 and 35/115 would suffice.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 20, 2016, 01:10:12 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 19, 2016, 02:06:20 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 19, 2016, 01:14:11 AM
Looks like the former highways in the GTA were replaced by freeways. 2 was replaced by 401, 7 by 407, 11 by 400, 27 by 427 and 400, and 50 by nothing? Not sure what Highway 50 would have in terms of importance.

Not everything was simply replaced by freeways, these highways existed for their own purpose. If I recall Highway 50 was first designed to take you from what is now Nashville Road (which was a provincial highway) up to Bolton. This highway was then extended to meet Hwy 27 in Etobicoke and Highway 89 close to Alliston.

If you want to play this game, which freeway replaced Hwy 5, or how about Hwy 48? I don't see anything remotely close that replaces Hwy 25. Similarly Highway 24 is downloaded north of the 401, which freeway replaced that one?
Was it the 1998 downloading that killed these highways that served an independent purpose from the freeways? Or were they just for local traffic and thus were downloaded?

I can get only two highways that were replaced by freeways. Highway 5 by Highway 403, and Highway 48 by Highway 404, up until Sutton. So it seems that they all served an independent purpose and were unfortunately killed due to the government being in debt.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 20, 2016, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 12:58:22 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed here yet, but do you guys think having the 412, 418 and 35/115 is a bit overkill? How many ways do people need to get between the 401 and the 407? I would think the 412 and 35/115 would suffice.

I agree 2 connectors are a little redundant, but it provides redundancy. One thing that Toronto area highways lack is redundancy.

Plus, since 35/115 goes a little northeast/southwest, you're actually backtracking longitudinally to get to the 401 or 407 with this route. This highway also isn't 100km/h and doesn't have the same design standards as 412 / 418.

So overall, I'm a fan of 2 new freeway connections. Only one is really needed, but I'll take 2!
-I just wish these connector freeways weren't tolled as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 06:29:03 PM
Quote from: haljackey on July 20, 2016, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 12:58:22 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed here yet, but do you guys think having the 412, 418 and 35/115 is a bit overkill? How many ways do people need to get between the 401 and the 407? I would think the 412 and 35/115 would suffice.

I agree 2 connectors are a little redundant, but it provides redundancy. One thing that Toronto area highways lack is redundancy.

Plus, since 35/115 goes a little northeast/southwest, you're actually backtracking longitudinally to get to the 401 or 407 with this route. This highway also isn't 100km/h and doesn't have the same design standards as 412 / 418.

So overall, I'm a fan of 2 new freeway connections. Only one is really needed, but I'll take 2!
-I just wish these connector freeways weren't tolled as well.

That's true, so I guess without the 418, everyone would likely use the 412 instead of 35/115. I still wonder if the money spent on the 418 could be better used elsewhere, but it doesn't matter now anyways.

I just noticed on Google Maps, 35/115 is shown in orange as a freeway. I'm pretty sure this used to be shown in yellow as a regular highway. I guess Google has changed their standards for when to use orange? I think this is a good call; even though it's not a full freeway, it's still clearly better than an undivided highway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 06:29:03 PM
Quote from: haljackey on July 20, 2016, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 12:58:22 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed here yet, but do you guys think having the 412, 418 and 35/115 is a bit overkill? How many ways do people need to get between the 401 and the 407? I would think the 412 and 35/115 would suffice.

I agree 2 connectors are a little redundant, but it provides redundancy. One thing that Toronto area highways lack is redundancy.

Plus, since 35/115 goes a little northeast/southwest, you're actually backtracking longitudinally to get to the 401 or 407 with this route. This highway also isn't 100km/h and doesn't have the same design standards as 412 / 418.

So overall, I'm a fan of 2 new freeway connections. Only one is really needed, but I'll take 2!
-I just wish these connector freeways weren't tolled as well.

That's true, so I guess without the 418, everyone would likely use the 412 instead of 35/115. I still wonder if the money spent on the 418 could be better used elsewhere, but it doesn't matter now anyways.

I just noticed on Google Maps, 35/115 is shown in orange as a freeway. I' pretty sure this used to be shown in yellow as a regular highway. I guess Google has changed their standards for when to use orange? I think this is a good call; even though it's not a full freeway, it's still clearly better than an undivided highway.

Even if it's not a freeway, the road is free flowing, no traffic lights or stop signs. Like Hwy 11, this kind of road I believe is called a RIRO (Right-in right-out) Expressway. This kind of road is sometimes called a "Jersey Freeway".

NJ 17 is a similar road to 35/115 in Greater New York, albeit it is set in a heavy suburban area, I was on it once when the megabus I once took to NYC used NJ 17 from the Thruway to reach the Lincoln Tunnel. As for the megabus....never again! I don't care how cheap it is.


Perhaps Orange on google maps indicates some form of controlled access, (indeed a RIRO is not controlled access) as NS 104 between Antigonish and New Glasgow, which is a super 2 is shown as an orange route.

NL 75, if you guys ever have to chance to drive it, is an extremely poorly designed Super 2 that's not even fully controlled access, what's worse is that this road opened in the early 20-aughts. NL 75 should definitely not be orange on the map.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 07:27:44 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 06:29:03 PM
Quote from: haljackey on July 20, 2016, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 12:58:22 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed here yet, but do you guys think having the 412, 418 and 35/115 is a bit overkill? How many ways do people need to get between the 401 and the 407? I would think the 412 and 35/115 would suffice.

I agree 2 connectors are a little redundant, but it provides redundancy. One thing that Toronto area highways lack is redundancy.

Plus, since 35/115 goes a little northeast/southwest, you're actually backtracking longitudinally to get to the 401 or 407 with this route. This highway also isn't 100km/h and doesn't have the same design standards as 412 / 418.

So overall, I'm a fan of 2 new freeway connections. Only one is really needed, but I'll take 2!
-I just wish these connector freeways weren't tolled as well.

That's true, so I guess without the 418, everyone would likely use the 412 instead of 35/115. I still wonder if the money spent on the 418 could be better used elsewhere, but it doesn't matter now anyways.

I just noticed on Google Maps, 35/115 is shown in orange as a freeway. I' pretty sure this used to be shown in yellow as a regular highway. I guess Google has changed their standards for when to use orange? I think this is a good call; even though it's not a full freeway, it's still clearly better than an undivided highway.

Even if it's not a freeway, the road is free flowing, no traffic lights or stop signs. Like Hwy 11, this kind of road I believe is called a RIRO (Right-in right-out) Expressway. This kind of road is sometimes called a "Jersey Freeway".

It's weird though that the RIRO sections of Hwy 11 between Barrie and Gravenhurst are in yellow instead of orange. I can't think of any practical difference between Hwy 11's RIRO sections and 35/115.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
NJ 17 is a similar road to 35/115 in Greater New York, albeit it is set in a heavy suburban area, I was on it once when the megabus I once took to NYC used NJ 17 from the Thruway to reach the Lincoln Tunnel. As for the megabus....never again! I don't care how cheap it is.

I took NJ 38 between NJ 73 and US 30 in April and judging from GSV, it looks very similar to NJ 17. But NJ 38 is shown in yellow, while NJ 17 is orange! I'm starting to doubt there's any consistency with this...

I thought NJ 38 was a cool type of road you wouldn't see in Ontario. The speed limit was a good 50 mph (80 km/h), but you still have convenient accesses to businesses. It seemed to work okay. I also thought the cloverleafs on these "suburban arterials" were pretty cool  :)

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
Perhaps Orange on google maps indicates some form of controlled access, (indeed a RIRO is not controlled access) as NS 104 between Antigonish and New Glasgow, which is a super 2 is shown as an orange route.

NL 75, if you guys ever have to chance to drive it, is an extremely poorly designed Super 2 that's not even fully controlled access, what's worse is that this road opened in the early 20-aughts. NL 75 should definitely not be orange on the map.

I'm surprised NL 75 is orange, since there are at-grade intersections. How can that be orange, but not the RIRO sections of Hwy 11? :confused:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:49:51 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?

Firstly, only Ontario has 400 series highways. :D

The term "downloading" was a term I believe that was coined by the media which referred to passing the buck on maintenance on one issue to a lower level of government. I believe in the early 90s, the federal government did a fair amount of downloading of stuff they used to take care of to the provinces, this was done for much of the same reason why the Harris government in Ontario did downloading to the municipalities, to try to create a surplus. Similarly, the opposite, if the Gardiner were to become the part of the QEW (which will never happen) would be called "uploading".

I've heard that story about the 400 series highways as well, but I'm not sure if there's any truth to it.

I could be wrong about this, but the reason why the freeway segments of say 115, or 11 don't have 400 series numbers is because they are isolated from the rest of the network. Perhaps if 35/115 was a freeway for it's whole length then it may have a 400 series number as it wouldn't be isolated from the 401.

Hwy 417 until the late 90s was isolated from the 401, I understand that, but considering how it continues on as another freeway in Quebec was probably why it got a 400 series number and not simply signed as 17.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 20, 2016, 08:24:12 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 06:29:03 PM
I just noticed on Google Maps, 35/115 is shown in orange as a freeway. I'm pretty sure this used to be shown in yellow as a regular highway. I guess Google has changed their standards for when to use orange? I think this is a good call; even though it's not a full freeway, it's still clearly better than an undivided highway.

Google marks roads in orange if they're expressway or freeway, meaning there can be some at-grade intersections. Most crossings on 35/115 are RIRO (like ON 11) and Google counts that as expressway. Here in Winnipeg, the road community chuckled when the western part of the Perimeter (MB 101) was marked orange not too long ago, and that has "RIRO" crossings (quotations because they are basically at-grades with the median blocked off and a one-way sign posted) and exit numbers.

Quote from: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?

That could be a plausible explanation. There's this:  https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=b74tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xpgFAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcqueston+highway&pg=3117,2124256&hl=en

Either way, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia all have their freeway systems (the 400 series, Autoroutes, and 100 series respectively).

Quote from: noelbotevera on July 20, 2016, 01:10:12 PM
Was it the 1998 downloading that killed these highways that served an independent purpose from the freeways? Or were they just for local traffic and thus were downloaded?

I can get only two highways that were replaced by freeways. Highway 5 by Highway 403, and Highway 48 by Highway 404, up until Sutton. So it seems that they all served an independent purpose and were unfortunately killed due to the government being in debt.

I believe most of the downloading (I'm not a fan of that term as well) was due to roads being more for local jurisdictions. I'm honestly not really aware of the history of it (and I was too young to remember it myself) so I can't really confirm for any other cases.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on July 20, 2016, 08:45:20 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:49:51 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?

Firstly, only Ontario has 400 series highways. :D

British Columbia had its own between 1964 and 1973.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 08:50:24 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 20, 2016, 08:24:12 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?

That could be a plausible explanation. There's this:  https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=b74tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xpgFAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcqueston+highway&pg=3117,2124256&hl=en

Either way, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia all have their freeway systems (the 400 series, Autoroutes, and 100 series respectively).

To semi-quote the great late Jack Albertson who played the Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory:

If Highway 105 is a freeway, then I'm a vermicious knid


The 100 series roads are definitely not all freeways, hell not even controlled access super 2s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 20, 2016, 09:34:42 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 08:50:24 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 20, 2016, 08:24:12 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on July 20, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I do have a question for those in Ontario or familiar with the highways. First of all, as someone from Indiana I can too attest to some of the madness with "downloading" highways as we have that going for us as well, it's just called decommissioning or something like that. So anyway, I was told by my father one time when he used to visit Canada that a friend there told him that the reason the 400-series highways begin with the number 4 was because they were 4-lane highways (at the time anyway.) Is there any truth to this or was 4 just a randomly selected number to begin the new freeway designations?

That could be a plausible explanation. There's this:  https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=b74tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xpgFAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcqueston+highway&pg=3117,2124256&hl=en

Either way, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia all have their freeway systems (the 400 series, Autoroutes, and 100 series respectively).

To semi-quote the great late Jack Albertson who played the Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory:

If Highway 105 is a freeway, then I'm a vermicious knid


The 100 series roads are definitely not all freeways, hell not even controlled access super 2s.

Definitely agree. The 400 series was likely chosen because that number was well above the highest-numbered standard route (ironically, Highway 105 at the time 400 was designated).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on July 20, 2016, 09:36:25 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 07:27:44 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
NJ 17 is a similar road to 35/115 in Greater New York, albeit it is set in a heavy suburban area, I was on it once when the megabus I once took to NYC used NJ 17 from the Thruway to reach the Lincoln Tunnel. As for the megabus....never again! I don't care how cheap it is.

I took NJ 38 between NJ 73 and US 30 in April and judging from GSV, it looks very similar to NJ 17. But NJ 38 is shown in yellow, while NJ 17 is orange! I'm starting to doubt there's any consistency with this...

I thought NJ 38 was a cool type of road you wouldn't see in Ontario. The speed limit was a good 50 mph (80 km/h), but you still have convenient accesses to businesses. It seemed to work okay. I also thought the cloverleafs on these "suburban arterials" were pretty cool  :)

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
Perhaps Orange on google maps indicates some form of controlled access, (indeed a RIRO is not controlled access) as NS 104 between Antigonish and New Glasgow, which is a super 2 is shown as an orange route.

NL 75, if you guys ever have to chance to drive it, is an extremely poorly designed Super 2 that's not even fully controlled access, what's worse is that this road opened in the early 20-aughts. NL 75 should definitely not be orange on the map.

I'm surprised NL 75 is orange, since there are at-grade intersections. How can that be orange, but not the RIRO sections of Hwy 11? :confused:

Orange should be reserved for freeways, but they make errors. NJ 17 has businesses and driveways, but no traffic lights. Maybe that's why it's orange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 20, 2016, 09:50:07 PM
Quote from: Alps on July 20, 2016, 09:36:25 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 20, 2016, 07:27:44 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
NJ 17 is a similar road to 35/115 in Greater New York, albeit it is set in a heavy suburban area, I was on it once when the megabus I once took to NYC used NJ 17 from the Thruway to reach the Lincoln Tunnel. As for the megabus....never again! I don't care how cheap it is.

I took NJ 38 between NJ 73 and US 30 in April and judging from GSV, it looks very similar to NJ 17. But NJ 38 is shown in yellow, while NJ 17 is orange! I'm starting to doubt there's any consistency with this...

I thought NJ 38 was a cool type of road you wouldn't see in Ontario. The speed limit was a good 50 mph (80 km/h), but you still have convenient accesses to businesses. It seemed to work okay. I also thought the cloverleafs on these "suburban arterials" were pretty cool  :)

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 20, 2016, 07:14:04 PM
Perhaps Orange on google maps indicates some form of controlled access, (indeed a RIRO is not controlled access) as NS 104 between Antigonish and New Glasgow, which is a super 2 is shown as an orange route.

NL 75, if you guys ever have to chance to drive it, is an extremely poorly designed Super 2 that's not even fully controlled access, what's worse is that this road opened in the early 20-aughts. NL 75 should definitely not be orange on the map.

I'm surprised NL 75 is orange, since there are at-grade intersections. How can that be orange, but not the RIRO sections of Hwy 11? :confused:

Orange should be reserved for freeways, but they make errors. NJ 17 has businesses and driveways, but no traffic lights. Maybe that's why it's orange.

The Taconic is orange north of the Sprain as well and that still has a bunch of cross streets in northern Dutchess and Columbia.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:08:27 AM
When 500,000 people live in the municipality of Clarington, I think Hwy 418 will make more sense.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 10:19:12 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:08:27 AM
When 500,000 people live in the municipality of Clarington, I think Hwy 418 will make more sense.

I agree. With the rate at which the GTA is growing, that won't take very long and everything will be appreciated.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 21, 2016, 01:16:58 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 10:19:12 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:08:27 AM
When 500,000 people live in the municipality of Clarington, I think Hwy 418 will make more sense.

I agree. With the rate at which the GTA is growing, that won't take very long and everything will be appreciated.

Which makes me wonder, did MTO had made some provisions for possible northern extensions of Hwy-412 and Hwy-418 north of Hwy-407"&
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 21, 2016, 03:17:04 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:08:27 AM
When 500,000 people live in the municipality of Clarington, I think Hwy 418 will make more sense.

Half a million in Clarington? Really, are you suggesting that Clarington has a population similar to Brampton?

Unless you meant to say half a million people live in Durham Region.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 03:29:02 PM
I tend not to be a particularly literal person, but yes, Clarington has a large supply of develop-able land, of which a lot of it will be more affordable than in a lot of other areas within the GTA, so I expect the population to increase by hundreds of thousands of people in the next 30-50 years.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 04:21:20 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 03:29:02 PM
I tend not to be a particularly literal person, but yes, Clarington has a large supply of develop-able land, of which a lot of it will be more affordable than in a lot of other areas within the GTA, so I expect the population to increase by hundreds of thousands of people in the next 30-50 years.

It's around 85,000 already, having increased by nearly 9% between 2006 and 2011. It's only going to get higher and it's mostly farmland still. I think 500,000 or higher is very realistic.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 04:45:11 PM
Sorry to drift off-topic here, but I found an interesting photo dating from when Canada's Wonderland opened. The map is bare-bones, but I tried.

From blogto.com
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogto.com%2Fupload%2F2015%2F05%2F2015522-CanadasWonderland_Flyer_1981_3.jpg&hash=e0abced9f88ef0f1f68a1e57bb8ee29d6d6e90ae)

Link to the story (if you want to read it)
http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/05/the_birth_of_canadas_wonderland_in_the_1980s/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 06:01:03 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on July 21, 2016, 01:16:58 PM
Which makes me wonder, did MTO had made some provisions for possible northern extensions of Hwy-412 and Hwy-418 north of Hwy-407"&

Neither highway has been designed with a northern extension in mind.  That said, if there was one day a desire to extend either highway northerly, there really isn't anything built that precludes that from happening either.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:31:20 PM
I've uploaded some photos of the 407 extension that I have taken over the past few weeks since the highway opened:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_105_east_WB_Jul16.jpg&hash=eb074ab262a4744e7b9e8468650d885822379711)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_105-5_east_Jul16.jpg&hash=ac0073403ae00944e28fc7ab23aed39bc6b12b7c)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_106_east_Jun16.jpg&hash=4ac908c3623f5126f4d6afeefdee79bc2be03ec4)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_109_east_Jun16.jpg&hash=1fc4a49144a08bf89347ab274c34562155a453ca)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_110_east_Jun16.jpg&hash=932c08e3aef337047c91aa6856a4ea346ce2ffcf)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_110_east_WB_Jul16.jpg&hash=0bdbfa97285b87a6ba2afe7f5f750ea11ed0b8e6)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_111_west_WB_Jul16.jpg&hash=016b043a22b4d5bd3228b764bd626b213c1d0feb)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_113_west_3level_Jun16.jpg&hash=08f8cc6de9185183cc2624b5d83e30e14c3ce6a5)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_112-5_west_Jul16.jpg&hash=1c961263a9f039af463100323fdb028a0652d1e2)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_116_west_c_Jul16.jpg&hash=fbc48eab2a47c300f591d6ea2db99f1232df7963)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_119_west_EB_Jun16.jpg&hash=4df27f47bdb85a9ef43eabd8934dcf8ea2c93104)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_122_east_Jun16.jpg&hash=f523bddaae7a0f7060875c194c130a8b264c62b9)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_125-5_west_Jul16.jpg&hash=8333748de3a4e610716a2aeb27f330ac78326045)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_126-5_east_Jun16.jpg&hash=fb1e9c23de4ecbf2c5355ddcfb0efe8e31346ebd)

The entire set of images can be found on my website here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/Hwy407_p5_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
About the distance signs, doesn't the GTA have a lot of visitors from the US? How come the distance signs aren't in miles? Also, the distances translate weirdly. 3.1 km is nearly two miles, but it's actually 1.92 miles. Shouldn't it be 3.2 or 3.3 km?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 21, 2016, 09:34:34 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 04:21:20 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 03:29:02 PM
I tend not to be a particularly literal person, but yes, Clarington has a large supply of develop-able land, of which a lot of it will be more affordable than in a lot of other areas within the GTA, so I expect the population to increase by hundreds of thousands of people in the next 30-50 years.

It's around 85,000 already, having increased by nearly 9% between 2006 and 2011. It's only going to get higher and it's mostly farmland still. I think 500,000 or higher is very realistic.

It's crazy how fast Brampton has grown in my lifetime. My family moved to Brampton around the time I was born (1995), and the population was about 270 000* (https://www.peelregion.ca/planning/pdc/data/census/population-1971-2006.htm). This year, the population estimate is over 600 000! (http://www.brampton.ca/EN/Business/edo/business-knowledge/Pages/Brampton-At-a-Glance.aspx)

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2016, 08:31:20 PM
I've uploaded some photos of the 407 extension that I have taken over the past few weeks since the highway opened:

Thanks for the photos as always. :) It's nice to see the signage heading EB, since I've on travelled it WB so far.

Quote from: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
About the distance signs, doesn't the GTA have a lot of visitors from the US? How come the distance signs aren't in miles? Also, the distances translate weirdly. 3.1 km is nearly two miles, but it's actually 1.92 miles. Shouldn't it be 3.2 or 3.3 km?

It would be a lot of work to put distances in both km and miles. And by this logic, since lots of Canadians, Europeans, etc visit the U.S., shouldn't all U.S. signs have km too? Canada switched over to metric in the '70's, and we don't plan on switching back :colorful:



Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Mapmikey on July 21, 2016, 09:58:51 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 18, 2016, 11:28:38 PM


https://goo.gl/maps/cLca2S9erSL2

That one is at least 30 years old. Look at the 1's without the serif.

Here is another right off Yonge St that is not nearly that old but this is no longer Hwy 9...

https://goo.gl/maps/HE4WaSY74C32

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 10:01:03 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 21, 2016, 09:34:34 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
About the distance signs, doesn't the GTA have a lot of visitors from the US? How come the distance signs aren't in miles? Also, the distances translate weirdly. 3.1 km is nearly two miles, but it's actually 1.92 miles. Shouldn't it be 3.2 or 3.3 km?

It would be a lot of work to put distances in both km and miles. And by this logic, since lots of Canadians, Europeans, etc visit the U.S., shouldn't all U.S. signs have km too? Canada switched over to metric in the '70's, and we don't plan on switching back :colorful:

At this point, only 2 major countries do not use metric distance. The US should have switched in the 70s, but that never happened, of course. You get used to metric distance pretty quickly and the speed limits translate pretty nicely (80 km/h = 50 mph, 100 is 60).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 10:30:03 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 21, 2016, 10:01:03 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 21, 2016, 09:34:34 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
About the distance signs, doesn't the GTA have a lot of visitors from the US? How come the distance signs aren't in miles? Also, the distances translate weirdly. 3.1 km is nearly two miles, but it's actually 1.92 miles. Shouldn't it be 3.2 or 3.3 km?

It would be a lot of work to put distances in both km and miles. And by this logic, since lots of Canadians, Europeans, etc visit the U.S., shouldn't all U.S. signs have km too? Canada switched over to metric in the '70's, and we don't plan on switching back :colorful:

At this point, only 2 major countries do not use metric distance. The US should have switched in the 70s, but that never happened, of course. You get used to metric distance pretty quickly and the speed limits translate pretty nicely (80 km/h = 50 mph, 100 is 60).
I'll be honest, I have never been exposed to metric distance. I went to The Netherlands back in 2005, but I was just a year old and never thought about distances. My parents never taught me despite living in a country using metric (the Philippines post US territory). I've lived in the US my entire life too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 11:09:56 AM
Quite a pile of things, so quickly:

1. Downloading was indeed a media/spin thing used to describe the transfer of services between the province and municipalities in the 1990s. Wasn't just highways, a number of other services changed hands as well.

2. The rationale was basically roads that served local traffic. Not necessarily routes that were bypassed by freeways, but roads on which traffic was not provincially significant.

For the most part that was accomplished well (certainly a handful of exceptions going both ways), and from a service delivery standpoint it really makes more sense for all involved.

Yes, there are a lot of old signs out there. Mostly on sections of road that were not transferred.

Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 07:44:02 AM
I have the same questions too. Ontario already has the concept of Connecting Links, where a provincially highway is signed as a highway, but is actually locally maintained. Why didn't they make more of these Connecting Links instead of mass downloading?

Because there are an awful lot of legal ramifications to Connecting Links, most of which are not good for either MTO or the municipality. It really creates a lot of headaches for both with minimal benefit. Municipalities have far more flexibility without CLs on their roads.

Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 07:44:02 AM
Victoria St in Kitchener is a good example of a well-done Connecting Link.

That's not a Connecting Link.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 12:02:28 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 11:09:56 AM
Quite a pile of things, so quickly:

1. Downloading was indeed a media/spin thing used to describe the transfer of services between the province and municipalities in the 1990s. Wasn't just highways, a number of other services changed hands as well.

2. The rationale was basically roads that served local traffic. Not necessarily routes that were bypassed by freeways, but roads on which traffic was not provincially significant.

For the most part that was accomplished well (certainly a handful of exceptions going both ways), and from a service delivery standpoint it really makes more sense for all involved.

Yes, there are a lot of old signs out there. Mostly on sections of road that were not transferred.

Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 07:44:02 AM
I have the same questions too. Ontario already has the concept of Connecting Links, where a provincially highway is signed as a highway, but is actually locally maintained. Why didn't they make more of these Connecting Links instead of mass downloading?

Because there are an awful lot of legal ramifications to Connecting Links, most of which are not good for either MTO or the municipality. It really creates a lot of headaches for both with minimal benefit. Municipalities have far more flexibility without CLs on their roads.

Fair enough, I just like think the older system with more provincial highways since I believe it made it easier for navigating. But I can understand your reasoning.

Quote from: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 11:09:56 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 18, 2016, 07:44:02 AM
Victoria St in Kitchener is a good example of a well-done Connecting Link.

That's not a Connecting Link.

Hmmm, I thought someone on here said it was. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept of Connecting Links? Victoria St has Hwy 7 and RR 55 shields side by side, so I thought this would equate to a Connecting Link. I figured this means the Region maintains the road, but signs it as a provincial highway. How is that different from a Connecting Link?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on July 22, 2016, 03:40:38 PM
I'm curious now too about Connecting Links.  In NY, municipally maintained sections of touring routes don't entail any special obligation on either NYSDOT (beyond sending traffic count and pavement condition data to FHWA) or the municipality since the shield doesn't denote any legal status.  It's simply a sign for motorist navigation.  Couldn't Ontario have created a similar system so that routes wouldn't get broken up in odd ways?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 05:20:57 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 12:02:28 PM

Hmmm, I thought someone on here said it was. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept of Connecting Links? Victoria St has Hwy 7 and RR 55 shields side by side, so I thought this would equate to a Connecting Link. I figured this means the Region maintains the road, but signs it as a provincial highway. How is that different from a Connecting Link?

A Connecting Link is a legal agreement between the municipality and the Province. The road is designated as a continuation of the King's Highway, and while the municipality owns the roadway, many operations on it are subject to MTO review and approval. The upside of that is that expenses the municipality incurs along the designated CL receive provincial funding. In the case of Victoria Street, no such agreement is in place.

Quote from: vdeane on July 22, 2016, 03:40:38 PM
I'm curious now too about Connecting Links.  In NY, municipally maintained sections of touring routes don't entail any special obligation on either NYSDOT (beyond sending traffic count and pavement condition data to FHWA) or the municipality since the shield doesn't denote any legal status. It's simply a sign for motorist navigation.  Couldn't Ontario have created a similar system so that routes wouldn't get broken up in odd ways?

Was not any desire to do so, as since they are local roads (the reason why they were transferred in the first place), it made far more sense to be incorporated into the local roads network.
And as has been discussed in the same thread before (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=59.msg2059810#msg2059810), the actual impact of renumbering has been minimal, as almost all of the sections of highway either a) retained their number or b) had their numbering changed to better reflect the local context.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on July 22, 2016, 07:31:10 PM
I agree with Chris. Big examples of this are Highways 3 and 7. All sections of 3 that were downloaded are CR/RR 3, while those of 7 are either numbered 7 or something with 7 at the end. Heck, parts of old Highway 7 have the road actually named "Highway 7" to this day.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 07:36:07 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 05:20:57 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 12:02:28 PM

Hmmm, I thought someone on here said it was. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept of Connecting Links? Victoria St has Hwy 7 and RR 55 shields side by side, so I thought this would equate to a Connecting Link. I figured this means the Region maintains the road, but signs it as a provincial highway. How is that different from a Connecting Link?

A Connecting Link is a legal agreement between the municipality and the Province. The road is designated as a continuation of the King's Highway, and while the municipality owns the roadway, many operations on it are subject to MTO review and approval. The upside of that is that expenses the municipality incurs along the designated CL receive provincial funding. In the case of Victoria Street, no such agreement is in place.

Thank you for the explanation! Wikipedia says it's not a CL either, and I believe you. But I'm still wondering who maintains Victoria St, since it has both a Hwy designation and a RR designation?

Quote from: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 05:20:57 PM
Quote from: vdeane on July 22, 2016, 03:40:38 PM
I'm curious now too about Connecting Links.  In NY, municipally maintained sections of touring routes don't entail any special obligation on either NYSDOT (beyond sending traffic count and pavement condition data to FHWA) or the municipality since the shield doesn't denote any legal status. It's simply a sign for motorist navigation.  Couldn't Ontario have created a similar system so that routes wouldn't get broken up in odd ways?

Was not any desire to do so, as since they are local roads (the reason why they were transferred in the first place), it made far more sense to be incorporated into the local roads network.
And as has been discussed in the same thread before (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=59.msg2059810#msg2059810), the actual impact of renumbering has been minimal, as almost all of the sections of highway either a) retained their number or b) had their numbering changed to better reflect the local context.

Thanks for posting this, I hadn't read that far back in this thread. I can respect the MTO's decision to download the highways, but I still personally prefer a system like NY state where they have a nice cohesive state highway network.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 22, 2016, 08:34:59 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 21, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
About the distance signs, doesn't the GTA have a lot of visitors from the US? How come the distance signs aren't in miles? Also, the distances translate weirdly. 3.1 km is nearly two miles, but it's actually 1.92 miles. Shouldn't it be 3.2 or 3.3 km?

Just go in a time machine back to 1975. But then you wouldn't see many of the newer freeways in Toronto now, would you?  :-D

The number of worldwide (metric) combined visitors to the US far exceeds the amount of US visitors to Canada I would think (I didn't look up the numbers). Distances are just rounded. I've seen 70 mi (speed limit signs) be converted to 110 or 115 (but usually 110 because metric speed limits are always on the ten's ex: 10,50,100 etc).

But to humour you, here's a dual metric, imperial distance sign (far away from Ontario, I've never seen one there): https://goo.gl/maps/UPnj7KJMJ7t

If you're interested about Canada's switch look here: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=5659.msg123406#msg123406

Quote from: 7/8 on July 21, 2016, 09:34:34 PM
shouldn't all U.S. signs have km too?

There are a few, most of them near the Canadian and Mexican borders (I-5 in San Diego, I-87 near Quebec etc).

I remember reading a blog from a German couple travelling to southern Arizona. They were so relieved when they arrived on I-19  :-D
https://goo.gl/maps/yYRyD9FAoKU2 - This pair (along with the ones heading southbound) could be the only Clearview metric signs in the US.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 09:03:03 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 22, 2016, 08:34:59 PM
But to humour you, here's a dual metric, imperial distance sign (far away from Ontario, I've never seen one there): https://goo.gl/maps/UPnj7KJMJ7t

Cool! I'm surprised how far away it is from the US border too. But reading the thread you posted, it sounds like Nova Scotia has the most pre-metric relics and imperial signage.

Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 22, 2016, 08:34:59 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 21, 2016, 09:34:34 PM
shouldn't all U.S. signs have km too?

There are a few, most of them near the Canadian and Mexican borders (I-5 in San Diego, I-87 near Quebec etc).

I remember reading a blog from a German couple travelling to southern Arizona. They were so relieved when they arrived on I-19  :-D
https://goo.gl/maps/yYRyD9FAoKU2 - This pair (along with the ones heading southbound) could be the only Clearview metric signs in the US.

I've read about I-19, too bad they plan on replacing the signs with imperial units during various construction projects. By the time I make it to Arizona, it might be too late :-/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 22, 2016, 09:14:56 PM
Thankfully there aren't many (if any) serious low bridge situations on the 400 series highways. But on bridges where the clearance is close, I think heights in both meters and feet/inches should be posted.

Indeed, the city of Toronto does in fact do this, you can metric ate all you want but a trailer, that is a trailer that is a full size 53' trailer that is part of a tractor trailer is 13' 6". Convert that t metric and you get 4.1148m.

So if a sign says 4.1m, will I hit that bridge....the spread of 4.05m to 4.14m covers FOUR WHOLE INCHES.

That's not to say, most areas with height clearances ran by the private sector, think drive thrus or private parking garages in most cases will show the feet/inches measurement as the predominant measurement. Some Canadian corporations like Scotiabank have drive thru ATMs where the height clearance is shown in feet/inches ONLY. It's the public sector where we see most of the metric height clearances.

I could go on and on about how Canada isn't a metric country, and even I'm not a fan of the system despite being taught in school in metric only. Incidentally, the Ontario curriculum as of 2006 has reintroduced imperial measurements to be taught alongside metric units.

Even so, just because the rest of the world does something is a very poor argument on why something should be done. Somewhat road related, every other country uses a different speed limit sign than those seen in the US and Canada, should we switch and spend boatloads of money because the rest of the world does something.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 22, 2016, 10:10:39 PM
Some interesting oddities I found in the GTA:

For some reason Allen Road is a freeway near the 401. Why is this?

How come the two local-express sections in Mississauga and Toronto don't connect? Are there plans to connect these sections in the future? The websites I've checked don't mention reasons why these sections don't connect.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 10:16:12 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 22, 2016, 10:10:39 PM
Some interesting oddities I found in the GTA:

For some reason Allen Road is a freeway near the 401. Why is this?

How come the two local-express sections in Mississauga and Toronto don't connect? Are there plans to connect these sections in the future? The websites I've checked don't mention reasons why these sections don't connect.


I don't know much about Allen Road, though I've always thought that was strange too :)

But I believe the collectors-express sections aren't connected because there isn't any room to expand within the given space of the complex 401/427 interchange. I guess it wasn't designed with enough room from the get-go? It's certainly a bad spot for traffic! :/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 22, 2016, 10:42:26 PM
Gardiner East draft report/appendix

Lots of reading material and neat pics/diagrams/stats

http://www.gardinereast.ca/participate-online




Quote from: noelbotevera on July 22, 2016, 10:10:39 PM

For some reason Allen Road is a freeway near the 401. Why is this?


Allen Road was the only built part of the Spadina Expressway. More info here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Road#Spadina_Expressway
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 22, 2016, 10:46:17 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 10:16:12 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 22, 2016, 10:10:39 PM
Some interesting oddities I found in the GTA:

For some reason Allen Road is a freeway near the 401. Why is this?

How come the two local-express sections in Mississauga and Toronto don't connect? Are there plans to connect these sections in the future? The websites I've checked don't mention reasons why these sections don't connect.


I don't know much about Allen Road, though I've always thought that was strange too :)

But I believe the collectors-express sections aren't connected because there isn't any room to expand within the given space of the complex 401/427 interchange. I guess it wasn't designed with enough room from the get-go? It's certainly a bad spot for traffic! :/

You don't? In a nut shell, the short answer is that the Allen was supposed to be a freeway that went to Spadina/Bloor, this was to be called the Spadina Expressway. Protests got it stopped beyond Eglinton. The subway line that was planned with the freeway was built the whole way, hence why this "leg" of the subway line was called the "Spadina Line".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 11:18:30 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 22, 2016, 10:46:17 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 10:16:12 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 22, 2016, 10:10:39 PM
Some interesting oddities I found in the GTA:

For some reason Allen Road is a freeway near the 401. Why is this?

How come the two local-express sections in Mississauga and Toronto don't connect? Are there plans to connect these sections in the future? The websites I've checked don't mention reasons why these sections don't connect.


I don't know much about Allen Road, though I've always thought that was strange too :)

But I believe the collectors-express sections aren't connected because there isn't any room to expand within the given space of the complex 401/427 interchange. I guess it wasn't designed with enough room from the get-go? It's certainly a bad spot for traffic! :/

You don't? In a nut shell, the short answer is that the Allen was supposed to be a freeway that went to Spadina/Bloor, this was to be called the Spadina Expressway. Protests got it stopped beyond Eglinton. The subway line that was planned with the freeway was built the whole way, hence why this "leg" of the subway line was called the "Spadina Line".

Oh yeah, I've heard of the Spadina Expressway but it's been I while since I've read up on it. I guess I should have made that connection :pan:

I find it funny that they call the freeway portion Allen Road. I know it's continuous with the surface-road called Allen Road, but it's still a misleading name :)

It reminds of Highbury Avenue in London (Ontario, not England :)). That one surprised me the first time I went on it!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 23, 2016, 12:13:45 PM
Another oddball I found is the 400 south of the 401. I read that 400 was meant to extend south to the QEW, now the Gardiner Expy., but was later cancelled due to opposition. Was the stub south of the 401 a remnant of that project?

EDIT: I found something that suspiciously looks like another remnant: this wide median (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7054941,-79.4946249,3a,57.3y,267.81h,86.94t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DcQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D94.631088%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656) not far from the end of Highway 400.

So I'm thinking the plan was to route it down Black Creek Drive, as if you pan to the left it looks as if it was prepared for a freeway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 23, 2016, 12:37:47 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 23, 2016, 12:13:45 PM
Another oddball I found is the 400 south of the 401. I read that 400 was meant to extend south to the QEW, now the Gardiner Expy., but was later cancelled due to opposition. Was the stub south of the 401 a remnant of that project?

EDIT: I found something that suspiciously looks like another remnant: this wide median (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7054941,-79.4946249,3a,57.3y,267.81h,86.94t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DcQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D94.631088%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656) not far from the end of Highway 400.

So I'm thinking the plan was to route it down Black Creek Drive, as if you pan to the left it looks as if it was prepared for a freeway.

To answer your question: There were plans to extend the 400 to the DVP (Don Valley Pkwy) or the Gardiner to the south. It, of course, never got built.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Map_of_Toronto_Expwys.gif)

There was quite a bit (still a lot) of NIMBYism in the 60's and 70's that prevented further freeway building. If it were me, I would have done the extension of the Gardiner east to the 401 as an alternate way across the city.

There is a whole page about cancelled Toronto highways on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancelled_expressways_in_Toronto
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 23, 2016, 01:24:26 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 23, 2016, 12:37:47 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 23, 2016, 12:13:45 PM
Another oddball I found is the 400 south of the 401. I read that 400 was meant to extend south to the QEW, now the Gardiner Expy., but was later cancelled due to opposition. Was the stub south of the 401 a remnant of that project?

EDIT: I found something that suspiciously looks like another remnant: this wide median (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7054941,-79.4946249,3a,57.3y,267.81h,86.94t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1scQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DcQXR4MnHzIDJ-tlPGXkjIw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D94.631088%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656) not far from the end of Highway 400.

So I'm thinking the plan was to route it down Black Creek Drive, as if you pan to the left it looks as if it was prepared for a freeway.

To answer your question: There were plans to extend the 400 to the DVP (Don Valley Pkwy) or the Gardiner to the south. It, of course, never got built.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Map_of_Toronto_Expwys.gif)

There was quite a bit (still a lot) of NIMBYism in the 60's and 70's that prevented further freeway building. If it were me, I would have done the extension of the Gardiner east to the 401 as an alternate way across the city.

There is a whole page about cancelled Toronto highways on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancelled_expressways_in_Toronto
Interesting. Do stubs of these plans exist? I'm planning to roadgeek around the GTA and see if I can't find remnants of said projects (this is next summer's roadtrip, if you can't tell from sporadic activity from me in this thread (wow I think I'm smarter than the previous kid who was on here, and he's older than me! sorry)).

There's some interesting expressways too. Not sure if Highway 2A still exists, but it seems to be interesting.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 24, 2016, 01:11:23 AM
Not sure (remember, this was all stuff that was decided before any of us commenting on this thread were born). I did find this though:

http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/scarborough-expressway.html

https://goo.gl/maps/6etjx6Shbv12 - The old demolished part of the Gardiner. Pillars were left up in some places to remind people of what was once here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 24, 2016, 02:32:29 AM
If anyone was wondering: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/69-highway-construction-1.3681683

A new section of twinned (and freeway) ON 69 (future ON 400) should be open by 1 August.  https://goo.gl/maps/PmoBYWTesYD2

Now it will only be about 80 km from freeway end to the current ON 400 northern terminus. I really doubt they'll have that done by 2021, but we shall see.  :D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on July 23, 2016, 01:24:26 PM
Interesting. Do stubs of these plans exist? I'm planning to roadgeek around the GTA and see if I can't find remnants of said projects (this is next summer's roadtrip, if you can't tell from sporadic activity from me in this thread (wow I think I'm smarter than the previous kid who was on here, and he's older than me! sorry)).

There's some interesting expressways too. Not sure if Highway 2A still exists, but it seems to be interesting.

Yes, there are bits and pieces of the shelved Toronto expressways that were indeed built.

Allen Road (Spadina Expressway)

Obviously this one was the most controversial one that saw any construction. Although I have never found any of the original plans, something tells me that if the Allen was built all the way south to Bloor, that the subway line which exists would have been at grade in the median for the entire length.

I may have gotten ahead of myself, but the Allen has the Spadina subway line running in the center median.

The Allen ends SB at Eglinton, and there is always a nasty backup at the end no matter what time of day it is. Indeed I will usually never ever take the Allen SB for any reason unless if I'm going to use the 401. Both the Lawrence and Eglinton exits face nasty backups by a poorly timed traffic signal.

Black Creek Drive (Highway 400 Extension)

I'm not exactly sure how the 400 looked south of the 401 prior to 1982 (when Black Creek Drive was opened) but I believe that the 400 had a forced exit at Jane Street. Black Creek Drive is an expressway with traffic lights, and yes it is that stupid. Incidentally, the entire Black Creek Drive could be converted to freeway if they wanted to, but I wouldn't count on that happening ever.

I have on occasion taken Black Creek Drive NB in PM Rush while doing Uber, and those intersections on Black Creek Drive are particularly nasty in how traffic backs up on Black Creek Drive.

Highway 2A (Scarborough Expressway)

Highway 2A is indeed known as Kingston Road in this stretch. This was indeed supposed to be part of the cancelled Scarborough Expressway.

Crosstown Expressway

While nothing really was built of this freeway. Look at the Bayview/Bloor exit on the DVP, that's a trumpet interchange, this long exit ramp is a connector road that has an interchange with Bayview before meeting Bloor at a T-intersection. Although I can not find any solid plans, it's generally believed that this connector road would have been part of the Crosstown Expressway if it were built.

Richview Expressway

Again while nothing substantial was built with this one. There are ramps from 427SB and 401EB that were obviously designed with the Eglinton exit on either road intended to be a freeway. Indeed, there is a BGS on this Eglinton Avenue "ramp" that reads (Martin Grove Road 1km)

Until very recently, maybe around 2014 or so. The land immediately north of Eglinton Avenue between Martin Grove and Royal York was nothing. This empty space was land bought for the highway. Around 2014 this land was finally sold off.




The only portion of freeway that was eliminated in Toronto was the Gardiner east of the DVP which originally ran to Leslie Street. I can't remember this actual portion of roadway existing, it was knocked down in 1999. I was a suburban kid, and I rarely went downtown in my younger days.

I don't really want to talk about the politics of all these expressway, because it will make my blood boil. Indeed, Toronto and the GTA face a massive transportation crisis in the future if growing trends with immigration continue. I can start a new topic on here if you'd like to discuss it. Not just expressways, but look at how much rapid transit was built since the cancellation of Spadina (1971). You'll find it's a game of political football full of nasty egos.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
The Toronto area has some of the worst commute times in North America, and since it is planned to continue growing, things will just get worse without massive expansions or new projects.

This is why I want Toronto to host the Olympics one day. It may give Toronto the infrastructure it needs to support this growth through projects that wouldn't otherwise be greeenlit.

The current provincial government seems to be very transit-focused to try and relieve this congestion. Some projects are underway, others are in the planning stages.
-Roadwise, there really isn't much going on within the developed area, and much of Toronto's growth is occurring within already developed areas.

I can only see a small handful of road projects being completed in a pipe dream. They are:
-Convert Black Creek Drive to a freeway. Extend it parallel to the rail line as a tolled/HOT only highway that cold be just 2-4 lanes wide. It would mimic a narrow Japanese expressway design.
-Build a freeway through the Gatineau Power corridor between the DVP and 401.
-When it comes time to rehabilitate or replace the structures at 401/427, squeeze some room to allow a couple collector lanes to go through the interchange and reconfigure the stretch of 401 between 427 and 409 to link the systems together.
-Build more auxiliary lanes between interchanges. Should help keep short distance traffic going only 1 exit down from messing with highway flow.
-Convert the leftmost lane of 401 to HOV/HOT throughout the entire Toronto area. This will probably not do much to relive congestion, but it will help move more people per hour on the highway.
-Convert leftmost lane on Gardiner/DVP to HOV/HOT only as well.
-Buy back 407 ETR, take out tolls. (Yeah right!)

Another alternative is to direct the growth Toronto receives to other cities in the province. Ontario had a program in the past to help convince new immigrants to look at cities other than Toronto and small towns, but funding has been cut due to budgetary issues. Cities like Windsor, London, Kingston, Sudbury, etc outside of the Greater Golden Horseshoe are better suited to growth and some even require it to keep populations stable (cities like Chatham and Windsor are declining in population).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 25, 2016, 12:30:38 PM
I found this article from July 14th:
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/environment-and-safety/ontario-build-ev-charging-stations-along-major-highways-attractions-172033/ (http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/environment-and-safety/ontario-build-ev-charging-stations-along-major-highways-attractions-172033/)

QuoteOntario is building nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations across the province with hopes they will encourage more residents to use electric vehicles.
The provincial government says the network of public stations will help address "range anxiety"  among electric car drivers who may be concerned about the distance their vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles.

The full network of stations will allow electric vehicles to travel from Windsor, Ont., to Ottawa, or from Toronto to North Bay, Ont., as well as in and around major urban centres.

The stations–which will be placed at more than 250 locations including highways, workplaces and public spaces–are all expected to be in service by the end of March next year.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 25, 2016, 03:18:27 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Black Creek Drive (Highway 400 Extension)
I'm not exactly sure how the 400 looked south of the 401 prior to 1982 (when Black Creek Drive was opened) but I believe that the 400 had a forced exit at Jane Street.

Yes.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Black Creek Drive is an expressway with traffic lights, and yes it is that stupid.

Given the constraints there, it's not stupid at all.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Incidentally, the entire Black Creek Drive could be converted to freeway if they wanted to, but I wouldn't count on that happening ever.

Well, technically it could, but that would be really, really, unwise. It would be rather disruptive to the area, while at the same time funneling traffic onto an even more constrained Weston Road. That would be spending piles of money to create a bigger problem somewhere else.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
I have on occasion taken Black Creek Drive NB in PM Rush while doing Uber, and those intersections on Black Creek Drive are particularly nasty in how traffic backs up on Black Creek Drive.

Given the volumes, they're pretty typical for an arterial. Not really noteworthy backups at them.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 24, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Highway 2A (Scarborough Expressway)
Highway 2A is indeed known as Kingston Road in this stretch. This was indeed supposed to be part of the cancelled Scarborough Expressway.

Highway 2A is known as Highway 2A in this stretch. Kingston Road is an arterial road that runs parallel to it.


Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
The Toronto area has some of the worst commute times in North America, and since it is planned to continue growing, things will just get worse without massive expansions or new projects.

Luckily, the main issues with traffic congestion are in the suburban areas. DVP aside, traffic actually moves well in the 416.

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
The current provincial government seems to be very transit-focused to try and relieve this congestion. Some projects are underway, others are in the planning stages.
-Roadwise, there really isn't much going on within the developed area, and much of Toronto's growth is occurring within already developed areas.

That's because there is not much bang for your buck in expanding road capacity within the 416. As intensification occurs, as does the viability of transit.
Bear in mind, this current government is spending more on roadway capital than any we've had. For al of their many, many, many faults, highway investment is one area in which they've excelled.

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
I can only see a small handful of road projects being completed in a pipe dream. They are:
-Convert Black Creek Drive to a freeway. Extend it parallel to the rail line as a tolled/HOT only highway that cold be just 2-4 lanes wide. It would mimic a narrow Japanese expressway design.

I realize that it is admittedly a pipe dream, but the concern with that is a) that induces demand right into the already congested urban core b) 401-427-FGG is not a particularly bad route c) a roadway shoehorned in like that would be pretty crappy

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
-Build a freeway through the Gatineau Power corridor between the DVP and 401.

Demand-wise that would help, as I said, DVP is probably the stickiest spot in the 416. However, intensifying the DVP corridor (adding more lanes either beside or above the existing ones) would provide greater bang for your buck - and not get yet more residents up in arms.

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
-When it comes time to rehabilitate or replace the structures at 401/427, squeeze some room to allow a couple collector lanes to go through the interchange and reconfigure the stretch of 401 between 427 and 409 to link the systems together.

The time for that work is 2015-16, and that has not been done. That interchange is not so great for throughput EB, though the 409 does help relieve the pressure. As with the DVP, adding lanes above (probably HOT) would make a great deal sense.

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
-Build more auxiliary lanes between interchanges. Should help keep short distance traffic going only 1 exit down from messing with highway flow.

The issue with that is drainage - adding lanes like that will pretty well require a full rebuild of the collector lanes


One other idea that would help in some of the more outlying areas (400 and 404 especially) - ramp metering. Would really help with cutting down on the turbulence on those roads.

Quote from: haljackey on July 24, 2016, 11:27:54 AM
Another alternative is to direct the growth Toronto receives to other cities in the province. Ontario had a program in the past to help convince new immigrants to look at cities other than Toronto and small towns, but funding has been cut due to budgetary issues. Cities like Windsor, London, Kingston, Sudbury, etc outside of the Greater Golden Horseshoe are better suited to growth and some even require it to keep populations stable (cities like Chatham and Windsor are declining in population).

That would help considerably. But the economic power of the GTHA does pull very strongly, so it would be an uphill battle.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on July 25, 2016, 03:29:23 PM
So if the Gardiner formerly extended to Leslie Street, would it have followed Kingston Road to connect with the Scarborough Expressway, or would it have followed the Lake Ontario shoreline to Highway 401? Because Lake Shore Boulevard east of the Don Valley Parkway looks like it was once a freeway, up to Woodbine Avenue.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
You really shouldn't have done that cbeach, but not surprising, you in the government, Do as I say, not as I do. For starters, since you are a public servant, why don't you take transit like the so called masters want us to do, hey you've been brainwashed by them as soon as I seen the phrase "induced demand".

Funny how you want to badmouth the current administration but I'm willing to bet that you voted for that wicked witch.

So what kind of road projects have been done lately that have actually benefited the motorist, although some may have started before the 13 years of hell we have been under, let us see.

2004 - Introduction of HOV Lanes on Hwy 403 and 404 (yup that's right folks, there wasn't an HOV lane before the Liberals got in), as I am a HUGE opponent of HOV lanes, as they actually easily make traffic worse and due absolutely nothing to help truck traffic, it all fits into the green agenda that the fascist regime is obsessed with. I'll get to that later.

ALSO, there was money floating around to create an HOV only ramp from Hwy 404 SB to Hwy 401 WB....it's funny how I was laughed at by you sometime ago for suggesting that an EC Row WB to 401 EB ramp should have been built.

2007 - Extension of Hwy 410 to Mayfield, which in 2009 was further extended to Hwy 10, this project was approved in the Ernie Eves days and was delayed for many years after the Liberals got elected.....indeed the Sandalwood overpass was open to traffic a good 4 years before the 410 came to exist underneath it.

2010 - ALTERATION of long term widening plans introduces HOV lanes to the badly congested Halton Region stretch....need I say more, of course I know you will come out of the woodwork and defend this, just like you adamantly defend the downloaded highways, hey if that's a good decision, why don't you defend the privatization of Hwy 407

2014 - Highway 404 extension....in honesty an extension to nowhere and not a priority whatsoever, a few people have this nice extension to reach Georgina easier....anyone can see that the Highway 427 extension was WAY MORE IMPORTANT, I mean think about it, York Region got tired of the MTO playing games that they decided to create an extension to link to an arterial just so they could ease off the traffic movements at the Hwy 50/Hwy 7 intersection and Hwy 27/Hwy 7 intersection.

2016 - Highway 407 East and Highway 412....this was a good project, but like the original 407, it is a toll. Even worse, the MTO is basically charging the same prices that the 407 ETR charges.....of course they need to, as the public sector is growing while the private sector is shrinking in this province....more taxes have to come from somewhere, or shall I quote what Kathleen says "revenue tools" If you want me to talk about a shrinking private sector, do you want me to mention how extreme costs of doing business in this province caused Heinz to shut the century old plant in Leamington? There are countless of other examples that have closed down in Ontario in recent years.

Let's not mention the ongoing projects, any widening includes HOV lanes now, and don't get me started on the 401 widening in Mississauga, that just angers me to no end.


If you want to talk transit, if we use the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway as a starting point, how much real rapid transit has been built in the city? Yes, Mike Harris may have cancelled the Eglinton Line, but the current version of that said line is vastly inferior, it'd be like converting the DVP into a road like Black Creek Drive.

How much has the outlying region grown since the cancellation of Spadina, by at least 3 folds. This has happened mainly due to immigration and yet the feds always seem to jump away when we try to ask them for money for projects. Do you honestly think the City of Brampton back in 1974 wanted all these immigrants to dramatically change how the city functions? The feds are responsible for the massive growth so they are responsible for this transportation crisis we face.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 25, 2016, 08:37:34 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
heated discussion about provincial politics... heavily discouraged on this forum but oh well no admins patrol this board

I hate to say it (you'll probably yell at me for this too, but oh well), but Chris is probably right for most of his points.

The 404 was built to handle urban sprawl, and it's not that hard to see why. Look at the satellite over its length and it doesn't take much to identify that Newmarket and Richmond Hill will probably grow out over the next 10-20 years to make the 404 more usable. I agree it's not really needed right now, but part of making an effective transportation corridor is making the infrastructure in advance, not doing it when all the urban sprawl is already there.

About the 407, refer to my point above. Same thing. Regarding tolls, it would have been better if Ontario implemented tolls only on the connector routes (412, and the future 418).

The 427 really should have been extended earlier though, I'd have to agree with you there. I don't know the current alignment of the new road; it would be nice to know though  :)

As for Kingston Rd, confusing signing on the 401 can lead people to believe that 2A is Kingston Rd, when it really isn't.

I would be flabbergasted if any expressways were going to be built within Toronto. It's not going to happen at this stage. Everybody should accept that. The politics and the NIMBYism would never allow it.


Back on topic...

Quote from: noelbotevera on July 25, 2016, 03:29:23 PM
So if the Gardiner formerly extended to Leslie Street, would it have followed Kingston Road to connect with the Scarborough Expressway, or would it have followed the Lake Ontario shoreline to Highway 401? Because Lake Shore Boulevard east of the Don Valley Parkway looks like it was once a freeway, up to Woodbine Avenue.

There were several ideas proposed. Lake Shore Blvd is a wide arterial, it was never a freeway.

There is this:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnebula.wsimg.com%2F7d0d885884bf45a9418ed97aabe7fa1a%3FAccessKeyId%3D5B3D9322BACA253926CC%26amp%3Bdisposition%3D0%26amp%3Balloworigin%3D1&hash=ce59b15aff5bde4bd87c0c09665c98007a25e041)

It basically followed the CNR (Canadian National Railway)

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 26, 2016, 10:57:40 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
You really shouldn't have done that cbeach, but not surprising, you in the government, Do as I say, not as I do. For starters, since you are a public servant, why don't you take transit like the so called masters want us to do, hey you've been brainwashed by them as soon as I seen the phrase "induced demand".

I take transit when it is convenient for me to do so. Which is admittedly rarely. But that's how it works.

I used the term "induced demand" as I know what I'm talking about when it comes to transportation planning. Broken down to its simplest form, it's supply and demand economics - the more a resource is available, the more people will use it. Limiting the supply of a product (in this case, road capacity) regulates its demand.

There certainly are numerous political viewpoints regarding what to do with induced demand (the anti-car brigade of course oppose it, people like me recognize it needs to be managed carefully), but as a function of traffic engineering it does happen.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
Funny how you want to badmouth the current administration but I'm willing to bet that you voted for that wicked witch.

As a matter of fact, I did not vote for the Liberal candidate in my riding in the previous election. Not that it has anything to do with the topic at hand, nor is it relevant in any discussion.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
So what kind of road projects have been done lately that have actually benefited the motorist, although some may have started before the 13 years of hell we have been under, let us see.

2004 - Introduction of HOV Lanes on Hwy 403 and 404 (yup that's right folks, there wasn't an HOV lane before the Liberals got in), as I am a HUGE opponent of HOV lanes, as they actually easily make traffic worse and due absolutely nothing to help truck traffic, it all fits into the green agenda that the fascist regime is obsessed with. I'll get to that later.

HOV lanes have issues (especially GPL to HOV conversion, which I strongly oppose), but the addition of new HOV lanes do result in a net increase in the highway's throughput. And while trucks can't use them they do benefit from the additional overall capacity. But that's why HOV are installed on commuter routes where the proportion of trucks is lower.
A GPL in a high truck percentage also has really crappy lane utilization.

HOV are a tool to use to manage limited resources - both financial and road capacity. It has its applicable uses, and there are places where it does not work. But commuter routes, those are by and large applicable uses.

And as far as the Liberals being responsible for HOV, well, that's the funny thing - HOV studies began in 1994. Under Bob Rae and the NDP. They continued unabated during the Harris-Eves Ontario PC years. In fact, the first contracts, like the Hwy 403 HOV and the Hwy 404 HOV and the tunnel connection to Hwy 401, were issued months before the 2003 election, while the Tories were in power. And construction has continued unabated through the McGuinty-Wynne years.

So, all three parties have supported it. The Tories and Liberals have actually built it. It is not solely a Liberal initiative at all.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
ALSO, there was money floating around to create an HOV only ramp from Hwy 404 SB to Hwy 401 WB....it's funny how I was laughed at by you sometime ago for suggesting that an EC Row WB to 401 EB ramp should have been built.

No, I didn't laugh at you for that. I just said that the amount of traffic that would benefit would be minimal, as that movement is almost a U-turn. Based on signal timings at the ECR-Huron Church interchange, building that flyover would have saved maybe one minute for those few drivers at a cost of tens of millions of dollars.

The 404 HOV to 401 WB tunnel cost a fraction of that, and is used by thousands of vehicles per day. And given the congestion at that interchange, saves people a lot more time that a minute or two. Also, the funding situation for the Herb Grey Pkwy is far different than what existed for the 404 tunnel. Not a valid comparison, even taking the fact that they were about a decade apart.

And again, they were that far apart as the HOV project was done by the Tories (and that I admittedly AM laughing about).  :-D

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
2007 - Extension of Hwy 410 to Mayfield, which in 2009 was further extended to Hwy 10, this project was approved in the Ernie Eves days and was delayed for many years after the Liberals got elected.....indeed the Sandalwood overpass was open to traffic a good 4 years before the 410 came to exist underneath it.

Got delayed for many years? Phase 1 was completed 2004, the Phase 2 contract was issued in 2006. So delayed one year.

(edited - corrected the date)

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
2010 - ALTERATION of long term widening plans introduces HOV lanes to the badly congested Halton Region stretch....

No, HOV was planned for that all along. That project was initiated in 2002 - well into Ontario's work into HOV.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
need I say more, of course I know you will come out of the woodwork and defend this, just like you adamantly defend the downloaded highways, hey if that's a good decision, why don't you defend the privatization of Hwy 407

I defend downloading because from a service delivery standpoint it makes sense. Taking former Highway 50 for example, in what way would it benefit residents, businesses, and other stakeholders along that highway to have the distant and high-level MTO taking care of their road? Especially since it does not serve long distance traffic? Or how does it benefit the province to waste time and money on those local issues, rather than the more local and accessible municipality? Just a drain on resources all around.

Yes, navigational issues could have been handled better. And overall funding could be improved. But it really serves both the province and the residents/businesses/etc. far, far better.


The 407 deal is utterly awful. But again, it, along with downloading and HOV lanes, are Tory initiatives.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
2014 - Highway 404 extension....in honesty an extension to nowhere and not a priority whatsoever, a few people have this nice extension to reach Georgina easier....anyone can see that the Highway 427 extension was WAY MORE IMPORTANT, I mean think about it, York Region got tired of the MTO playing games that they decided to create an extension to link to an arterial just so they could ease off the traffic movements at the Hwy 50/Hwy 7 intersection and Hwy 27/Hwy 7 intersection.

Yeah, you have no idea what you're talking about. The 404 extension was definitely needed. And it's never a question of one vs another, it's never that simplistic.
And York built that so they could increase development.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
2016 - Highway 407 East and Highway 412....this was a good project, but like the original 407, it is a toll. Even worse, the MTO is basically charging the same prices that the 407 ETR charges.....of course they need to, as the public sector is growing while the private sector is shrinking in this province....more taxes have to come from somewhere, or shall I quote what Kathleen says "revenue tools" If you want me to talk about a shrinking private sector, do you want me to mention how extreme costs of doing business in this province caused Heinz to shut the century old plant in Leamington? There are countless of other examples that have closed down in Ontario in recent years.

That rambling rant being what it is there, it's funny you mentioned Leamington, as you forgot the Highway 3 widening in that area done since the Liberals entered office.
Again, they have not done well on a lot of things (especially energy). But as I originally said, transportation is one area (maybe even the only area) where they've done exceptionally well.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
Let's not mention the ongoing projects, any widening includes HOV lanes now, and don't get me started on the 401 widening in Mississauga, that just angers me to no end.

Widening through the interchange that causes the biggest backup on Hwy 401 west of Toronto? Yeah, that sucks.   :crazy:

And yes, any widening includes HOV. As it has been since well before the current party took power. That project was initiated in 2001. Well into the HOV era.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
If you want to talk transit,

Nope.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on July 25, 2016, 04:38:51 PM
How much has the outlying region grown since the cancellation of Spadina, by at least 3 folds. This has happened mainly due to immigration and yet the feds always seem to jump away when we try to ask them for money for projects. Do you honestly think the City of Brampton back in 1974 wanted all these immigrants to dramatically change how the city functions? The feds are responsible for the massive growth so they are responsible for this transportation crisis we face.

Immagants! I knew it was them! Even when it was the bears I knew it was them!   :)



For comparison's sake, in 2002, the last full year of Conservative's mandate, in the GTA MTO had 31 capital construction jobs. In 2015, the last complete year under the Liberals, they had 53. That's just standard delivery, not the alternative delivery models like 407, Herb Grey Pkwy, etc. And the economic picture of the province was far rosier in 2002 than 2015.

And further comparison, the last full year under NDP (1994) had 34 contracts issued in the GTA. The Liberals clearly have made highway funding a priority. They've sucked at a lot of areas, but transportation is not one.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 28, 2016, 11:55:58 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 26, 2016, 10:57:40 AM

And further comparison, the last full year under NDP (1994) had 34 contracts issued in the GTA. The Liberals clearly have made highway funding a priority. They've sucked at a lot of areas, but transportation is not one.

However, the Ottawa Valley between Pembrooke and Arnprior still wait for a upgrade of TCH-17 into TCH-417 althought some work at finally started west of Arnprior.

There's also on and off-talks of link between A-5 and TCH-417 and more recently came the idea of a tunnel in the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7513831&postcount=193
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/city-hall-blog-king-edward-truck-tunnel-study-coming-in-august

And some residents in Cumberland don't want Hwy-174 (former TCH-17) being upgraded. http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/6765411-residents-file-appeal-over-174-widening-through-cumberland/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 28, 2016, 01:24:16 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on July 28, 2016, 11:55:58 AM
There's also on and off-talks of link between A-5 and TCH-417 and more recently came the idea of a tunnel in the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7513831&postcount=193
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/city-hall-blog-king-edward-truck-tunnel-study-coming-in-august

It is unusual that there isn't any freeway-freeway connection between the Ottawa and Gatineau areas. The bridges seemed to get busy when I was there in January.

That truck tunnel seems pretty cool, I'm looking forward to reading what the study says.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on July 28, 2016, 02:07:09 PM
The area between A-5 and ON 417 has always struck me as a definite gap in Canada's freeway system.  Too bad it looks like the tunnel to fill that gap will be truck-only.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 28, 2016, 02:18:46 PM
^ One of the City's Councilor's leaked some details about the tunnel in the spring.  From what was leaked, it would be a four lane tunnel and open to cars as well.  It will probably be tolled.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/05/30/king-edward-truck-tunnel-study-release-delayed-until-september
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 28, 2016, 04:49:37 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 28, 2016, 02:18:46 PM
^ One of the City's Councilor's leaked some details about the tunnel in the spring.  From what was leaked, it would be a four lane tunnel and open to cars as well.  It will probably be tolled.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/05/30/king-edward-truck-tunnel-study-release-delayed-until-september

Better tolled than not built it all. That's the best option now to get it built.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 28, 2016, 09:49:06 PM
Quote from: vdeane on July 28, 2016, 02:07:09 PM
The area between A-5 and ON 417 has always struck me as a definite gap in Canada's freeway system.  Too bad it looks like the tunnel to fill that gap will be truck-only.

The gap in A-20 west of Montreal is much worse IMO.

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on July 28, 2016, 04:49:37 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 28, 2016, 02:18:46 PM
^ One of the City's Councilor's leaked some details about the tunnel in the spring.  From what was leaked, it would be a four lane tunnel and open to cars as well.  It will probably be tolled.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/05/30/king-edward-truck-tunnel-study-release-delayed-until-september

Better tolled than not built it all. That's the best option now to get it built.

First I've heard about this. I would toll the tunnel at a moderate rate until the project is paid off. The Coquihalla in BC (it was tolled until 2011) is a good example of how to do it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 29, 2016, 05:13:03 PM
Some of the road projects going on in Northern Ontario.

http://dailycommercialnews.com/Infrastructure/News/2016/7/Province-announces-541-million-for-northern-Ontario-highways-1017565W/ (http://dailycommercialnews.com/Infrastructure/News/2016/7/Province-announces-541-million-for-northern-Ontario-highways-1017565W/)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 30, 2016, 10:45:03 AM
I've continued this conversation in the Quebec's Highways thread. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2353.msg2162838#msg2162838) It's been too long since that thread has gotten any attention :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on July 30, 2016, 08:00:54 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 30, 2016, 10:45:03 AM
I've continued this conversation in the Quebec's Highways thread. (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2353.msg2162838#msg2162838) It's been too long since that thread has gotten any attention :)
Good point. I moved the Québec specific posts over.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 03, 2016, 07:23:00 PM
I found this article from Monday:

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/01/motorists-can-enter-hot-lane-lottery (http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/01/motorists-can-enter-hot-lane-lottery)

QuoteMotorists will have to win a lottery if they want the privilege of paying to use toll lanes on the congested QEW.

The province has unveiled plans to allow drivers who are alone their cars to pay a toll to use existing HOV lanes on the QEW – between Trafalgar Rd. to Guelph Line – effective Sept. 15. Vehicles carrying more than one person can continue to use the HOV lanes without paying a toll.

The province announced that motorists hoping to use the HOT (high-occupancy-toll) lanes will have to enter a lottery which runs until Aug. 21. HOT permits will cost $180 for a three-month period.

"For the purpose of this pilot, the only infrastructure change that drivers will notice on the highways will be signage: HOV lanes on the QEW – from Trafalgar Rd. to Guelph Line – will be renamed HOT lanes," said Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca.

No live lanes of traffic will be removed during the four-year trial for the toll lanes.

However, only 1,000 permits will be available for each three month period.

Del Duca said the lottery is the fairest way to distribute the permits. Motorists can apply online through Service Ontario.

"By limiting the number of permits, we are shifting our focus – for only the QEW pilot – from revenue generation to introducing a new travel method to commuters,"  he added.

During the pilot project, the government hopes to find companies to develop new technologies to help it create a fully-automatic network of toll lanes across southern Ontario.

The province has announced that a 15.5-kilometre stretch of dedicated HOT lanes will open in 2021 on Hwy. 427, from Hwy. 409 to north of Rutherford Rd.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 08:31:37 PM
Essentially what is being sold here is a cap and trade system....or similar to the medallion system with cabs.

I hope to god this isn't the permanent way they choose to approach this. I'm fairly conservative on most issues, but when it comes to the commute, everyone should be on an even playing field, the government should provide with infrastructure, many ways to commute EFFICIENTLY. This, along with nonsense like toll highways are incredibly unfair.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 03, 2016, 08:38:05 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 08:31:37 PM
Essentially what is being sold here is a cap and trade system....or similar to the medallion system with cabs.

I hope to god this isn't the permanent way they choose to approach this. I'm fairly conservative on most issues, but when it comes to the commute, everyone should be on an even playing field, the government should provide with infrastructure, many ways to commute EFFICIENTLY. This, along with nonsense like toll highways are incredibly unfair.

It also seems to defeat the whole purpose of having HOV lanes in the first place, if you can simply pay money to get out of the requirement of having passengers. I would imagine environmentalists would be strongly opposed to this. And I agree, it sounds like an idea that unfairly benefits the wealthy.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 03, 2016, 08:38:05 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 08:31:37 PM
Essentially what is being sold here is a cap and trade system....or similar to the medallion system with cabs.

I hope to god this isn't the permanent way they choose to approach this. I'm fairly conservative on most issues, but when it comes to the commute, everyone should be on an even playing field, the government should provide with infrastructure, many ways to commute EFFICIENTLY. This, along with nonsense like toll highways are incredibly unfair.

It also seems to defeat the whole purpose of having HOV lanes in the first place, if you can simply pay money to get out of the requirement of having passengers. I would imagine environmentalists would be strongly opposed to this. And I agree, it sounds like an idea that unfairly benefits the wealthy.

Great that you understand the issue I'm talking about.....if only a limited number of permits are issued, that means assuming the permits are transferable, that means that permit owners may "lease" their permits to those willing to pay for it. This is precisely the issue with the medallion system with cabs, where the actual license may cost a few thousand a year, but medallions in NYC sold for over a million back in 2011 (before the invasion of Uber which brought medallions down to the dumps).


Other cities do have HOT lanes, but I never understood the purpose of it. Even worse is that many HOT lanes use dynamic pricing, where the lane will cost more depending on overall demand. Uber does this exact same tactic and calls it "surge pricing", and has generated loads of controversy, yet no one complains when the government employs the same tactic.

As for "induced demand", I honestly understand that to be part of the overall green agenda myself. The main beliefs on induced demand seem to have come from a study based at UC Berkeley (enough said....) by Mark Hansen and Yuanlin Huang, there were a lot of assumptions with this document, they used gasoline sales instead of discrete counting to estimate how many cars used the roads. But yet, this document was treated like the holy grail as plans for HOV lanes became widespread after this. Then there is "The Price of Anarchy in Transportation Networks", in which a new group went as far as saying eliminating freeways helps alleviate traffic. While that is probably true, something tells me that although traffic would stabilize in downtown Toronto if the Gardiner was removed, there would be more avoidance of downtown which would lead to an economic hit to the city. This indeed happened during last year's Pan American games, traffic did go down when the HOV lane came, but economic activity in the city took a serious hit. Ask any mom and pop business downtown during the Pan Am games and you'll see what I mean.

Just because someone from academia says something doesn't mean it's right, want to know what a U Toronto civil engineering professor said about easing Toronto's traffic problems. Introducing a license plate rationing system where odd plates get to drive one day and even plates get to drive the other day....yes, proposed by Dr. Khandker Habib at the University of Toronto, one of the so called "best" civil engineering schools in the world.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/03/19/should_toronto_ban_cars_on_certain_days_based_on_licence_plates.html (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/03/19/should_toronto_ban_cars_on_certain_days_based_on_licence_plates.html)

I will not be brainwashed by such "induced demand" nonsense, and I will continue to stand my ground on what I believe in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: lordsutch on August 03, 2016, 09:52:43 PM
The purpose of dynamic pricing of HOT (or express) lanes is to ensure the lanes remain free-flow; if the price is too low, more people will use them, eventually leading to a breakdown in traffic flow as the lane hits capacity.

As for "nobody complains," Google the term "Lexus lanes."
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 03, 2016, 11:33:37 PM
Quote from: lordsutch on August 03, 2016, 09:52:43 PM
The purpose of dynamic pricing of HOT (or express) lanes is to ensure the lanes remain free-flow; if the price is too low, more people will use them, eventually leading to a breakdown in traffic flow as the lane hits capacity.

As for "nobody complains," Google the term "Lexus lanes."
Yes, but the idea of a lottery system completely eliminates the need for dynamic pricing, or really for even calling it an HOT. They may as well auction off 1,000 transponders labeled "two persons". It's a novel concept and I will be very interested to see how it works before passing judgment, but my initial thought is that it will work fairly well. 1,000 vehicles will not all be on the road at the same time. A single lane can process around 1,900 vehicles per hour, maybe a bit more at freeway speed. If their current counts are under 1,000 HOVs per hour, then this is the easy way to ration demand. The hard way is to build infrastructure that can sense occupancy and adjust pricing on the fly.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 04, 2016, 10:30:00 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
Great that you understand the issue I'm talking about.....if only a limited number of permits are issued, that means assuming the permits are transferable, that means that permit owners may "lease" their permits to those willing to pay for it.

They are assigned to a vehicle, and are therefore not transferable.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
Other cities do have HOT lanes, but I never understood the purpose of it. Even worse is that many HOT lanes use dynamic pricing, where the lane will cost more depending on overall demand. Uber does this exact same tactic and calls it "surge pricing", and has generated loads of controversy, yet no one complains when the government employs the same tactic.

People often complain... but they also complain about taxes. This implements a user fee and therefore reduces the drain on the tax base.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
As for "induced demand", I honestly understand that to be part of the overall green agenda myself.

Nope.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
The main beliefs on induced demand seem to have come from a study based at UC Berkeley (enough said....) by Mark Hansen and Yuanlin Huang, there were a lot of assumptions with this document, they used gasoline sales instead of discrete counting to estimate how many cars used the roads. But yet, this document was treated like the holy grail as plans for HOV lanes became widespread after this.

HOV lanes induce demand as well. Using that argument for HOV is completely counter to itself.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
Then there is "The Price of Anarchy in Transportation Networks", in which a new group went as far as saying eliminating freeways helps alleviate traffic.

Over the course of a day, it would reduce your overall numbers. Not going to help you in your peaks.


Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
While that is probably true, something tells me that although traffic would stabilize in downtown Toronto if the Gardiner was removed, there would be more avoidance of downtown which would lead to an economic hit to the city. This indeed happened during last year's Pan American games, traffic did go down when the HOV lane came, but economic activity in the city took a serious hit. Ask any mom and pop business downtown during the Pan Am games and you'll see what I mean.

When a situation is temporary, there is a huge hit. When it becomes long term or permanent, people accept it.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 03, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
I will not be brainwashed by such "induced demand" nonsense, and I will continue to stand my ground on what I believe in.

What about trip generation? That's a principle that organizations such as the ITE have been using for decades - even before the "green agenda" strawman that's been brought up. Because that's the BASIS OF INDUCED DEMAND.


A very simplified summary:

The amount of development in an area generates X number of trips.
The amount of transportation capacity is Y trips per hour.
(note I said transportation capacity, not just road. This applies just as much to all modes, including transit, cycling, walking)

Scenario 1 - X = Y, then the network will operate at 100% capacity
Scenario 2 - X > Y, then the network operates at 100% capacity, as that is the maximum possible value

If you are under scenario 2, then people have two options:
A. Do not live/do business in the congested area
B. Accept the congestion; trips are consolidated and/or discretionary trips eliminated

If there is sufficient incentive (economic, personal preference, etc) to remain in the congested area, then they will choose option B.

Now, let's throw an infrastructure expansion (let's call it E) into this.

Scenario 3 - X = (Y + E)
Now we've already established that any capacity equal to or lesser than X will operate at 100%. Therefore all you've done is serve the demand that already existed. This is commonly referred to as "induced demand" and is a thing that really does exist. And as I said, it applies just as much to transit and other modes as it does to roads.

So, why do we bother expanding our transportation network? Well, basically there's another factor out there called growth (G). This is both new residents and new business moving into in an area. And with enough growth, eventually your transportation network will be overwhelmed.

Growth Scenario - (X+G) > Y

So, we go back to the options from above. If X+G exceeds Y by too much, then more and more people will choose the first option and avoid the area. Which is not good for economic growth. But you need to pick and choose carefully where you make those expansion investments. And that's where either ham-fisted approach (more capacity will screw everything up vs. induced demand is a myth pave over everything) will fail you. It's incredibly difficult to manage it in a congested area like the GTA. So you have things like HOT - where you expand capacity, but do so in a way that maximizes those limited resources.

Having every lane open to every vehicle and it all being free to use is a nice fantasy. In a world without constraints it could work. But we live in the real world, one with limited space, limited money, limited resources, and a growing number of people all demanding to use them. They need to be managed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
More curiosities with the GTA!

It turns out that not only Highway 400 was supposed to be extended south, exit numbers reflect it. Now I know why Highway 401 is Exit 21 instead of Exit 1; it reflects the southward extension.

The street network is odd - streets shift and turn, the grid is skewed, and some streets don't even have directional suffixes. Vaughan and Markham don't seem to have this problem, though isn't their street network a continuation of Toronto's? Maybe Toronto's street network dates to the colonial era.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 04, 2016, 12:49:08 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
Maybe Toronto's street network dates to the colonial era.

:nod:
A lot of roads that don't follow the grid date back to the days prior to the British concession system being put in place there. They follow old colonization trails and the like.

Most of Ontario follows that system. A big exception is Kitchener-Waterloo, where the German settlers used their own freaky system.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 04, 2016, 12:54:05 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 04, 2016, 12:49:08 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
Maybe Toronto's street network dates to the colonial era.

:nod:
A lot of roads that don't follow the grid date back to the days prior to the British concession system being put in place there. They follow old colonization trails and the like.

Most of Ontario follows that system. A big exception is Kitchener-Waterloo, where the German settlers used their own freaky system.  :biggrin:

Yep, I mentioned this in my Cites with odd street networks (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=18471.0) thread. It was certainly a big change going from Brampton's grid system to KW :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
IMO dynamic pricing of HOT lanes is more fair because it gives everyone a chance to decide if they want to pay for the lanes or not on a per-trip basis.  The system Ontario wants restricts it to the privileged few who are lucky enough to win a lottery.  Not fair at all.

Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
More curiosities with the GTA!

It turns out that not only Highway 400 was supposed to be extended south, exit numbers reflect it. Now I know why Highway 401 is Exit 21 instead of Exit 1; it reflects the southward extension.
That's what I thought, but there are only 11 km to the Gardiner, so the numbers would have started at 10 even if ON 400 had been finished.  No idea what the extra 10 km is supposed to be for.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 04, 2016, 01:42:44 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 04, 2016, 12:54:05 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 04, 2016, 12:49:08 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
Maybe Toronto's street network dates to the colonial era.

:nod:
A lot of roads that don't follow the grid date back to the days prior to the British concession system being put in place there. They follow old colonization trails and the like.

Most of Ontario follows that system. A big exception is Kitchener-Waterloo, where the German settlers used their own freaky system.  :biggrin:

Yep, I mentioned this in my Cites with odd street networks (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=18471.0) thread. It was certainly a big change going from Brampton's grid system to KW :-D

Not to get too far off-topic, but every time I see the Kitchener/Waterloo area on a map, it feels like I'm playing an old Sim City game, where everything is slightly tilted, never to be seen straight on. Sometimes I get a small headache too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2016, 01:44:25 PM
MTO's system is modeled after a decal system that was used along the I-15 corridor in Salt Lake City in the early days of it's HOT lane programme.

I've done a few google searches to look for information on exactly how the decal system was managed by UDOT but haven't found anything too specific as of yet.

Here is what I have found:
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freewaymgmt/publications/documents/nrpc0610/workshop_materials/case_studies/salt_lake_city.pdf
http://scoe.transportation.org/Documents/Boston%202011/Brandon%20Weston.pdf

The lottery system definitely isn't perfect, but seeing as there is already a toll highway that serves basically the same corridor, it's not like there isn't already another option.

Dynamic pricing on the QEW is going to itself being somewhat of a dilemma.  Any pricing structure that is less that the toll rates on the 407 could conceivably start to attract traffic that would otherwise be bound for the 407.  The QEW's HOT lanes won't have sufficient capacity to accept 407 traffic, so I suspect the rates will have to be higher than what's already in place on the 407 just to ensure the lane remains free-flow.

One of the really noteworthy things about this HOT pilot project is how inexpensive the tags are going to be.  Consider similar solo travel on the 407 for two trips a day, five days per week for three months would cost over $1000 in the same three month period.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 04, 2016, 03:31:46 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
More curiosities with the GTA!

It turns out that not only Highway 400 was supposed to be extended south, exit numbers reflect it. Now I know why Highway 401 is Exit 21 instead of Exit 1; it reflects the southward extension.

The street network is odd - streets shift and turn, the grid is skewed, and some streets don't even have directional suffixes. Vaughan and Markham don't seem to have this problem, though isn't their street network a continuation of Toronto's? Maybe Toronto's street network dates to the colonial era.

The reason why Markham and Vaughan's street network is a continuation of Toronto's is because present day Toronto used to be part of what we know now today as York Region. It was York County way back when, but the point is, that Toronto used to be part of what is now known as York Region but split in 1954 to form Metropolitan Toronto. Metro Toronto would exist until 1997, in which the six cities which made up Metro Toronto were amalgamated into a single City of Toronto. The only part of Toronto that's any bit confusing to me if you want to be honest is East York.

A slight curiosity and fun fact, Eglinton Avenue passes through all six former cities during its length across the city.

If you notice, the street grid in Peel Region, that is Mississauaga, Brampton, and Caledon is roughly diagonals instead of N, S, E, W, this concession grid was drawn parallel to Lake Ontario I do believe. The point I'm making is that it's not the same grid system in Toronto/York Region.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 04, 2016, 04:28:24 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
IMO dynamic pricing of HOT lanes is more fair because it gives everyone a chance to decide if they want to pay for the lanes or not on a per-trip basis.  The system Ontario wants restricts it to the privileged few who are lucky enough to win a lottery.  Not fair at all.

The "privilege" to pay for it? Alps' post a little bit ago hit the nail right on the head - it's about squeezing extra capacity out of it without degrading service. Only a finite number of SOV are permitted in the lane. If you allow everyone in, then the toll would have to be incredibly high to actually keep it from being overwhelmed (see Asphalt Planet's earlier post for a comparison of what people are willing to pay). Rationing the permits keeps it moving, and allows them to maintain the lane's operation.

Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
That's what I thought, but there are only 11 km to the Gardiner, so the numbers would have started at 10 even if ON 400 had been finished.  No idea what the extra 10 km is supposed to be for.

Distances were likely measured right to downtown, which would put it to roughly 15-17 km from Jane St (exit 20). Likely rounded up in order to give themselves some margin for error on that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 06:03:12 PM
Makes me wonder if it's even appropriate for HOT lanes, then.  Plus ON 407's toll policies are not at all friendly to occasional users... the monthly pass has a fee, and the bill by mail surcharge is obscene.  In fact, ON 407 is THE reason why my parents will never use an all-electronic toll road.

The lottery isn't exactly equitable.  Someone could win who is single and has flext time and doesn't really need to worry about when they get to work/home but simply are annoyed by the traffic and take a pass from someone who has a family and works a strict hourly job where they'd get their pay docked or be fired if they're late.  What about someone who would only use the lanes if the traffic was really bad?  Or someone who moved in after the lottery was held, or changed jobs/homes?

IMO all people have a moral duty to do all they can to make life 100% fair to everyone.  Ontario isn't fulfilling that duty right now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2016, 06:51:36 PM
^ That argument is preposterous.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
IMO dynamic pricing of HOT lanes is more fair because it gives everyone a chance to decide if they want to pay for the lanes or not on a per-trip basis.  The system Ontario wants restricts it to the privileged few who are lucky enough to win a lottery.  Not fair at all.

Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
More curiosities with the GTA!

It turns out that not only Highway 400 was supposed to be extended south, exit numbers reflect it. Now I know why Highway 401 is Exit 21 instead of Exit 1; it reflects the southward extension.
That's what I thought, but there are only 11 km to the Gardiner, so the numbers would have started at 10 even if ON 400 had been finished.  No idea what the extra 10 km is supposed to be for.
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 04, 2016, 11:38:07 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 04, 2016, 01:13:50 PM
IMO dynamic pricing of HOT lanes is more fair because it gives everyone a chance to decide if they want to pay for the lanes or not on a per-trip basis.  The system Ontario wants restricts it to the privileged few who are lucky enough to win a lottery.  Not fair at all.

Quote from: noelbotevera on August 04, 2016, 12:40:30 PM
More curiosities with the GTA!

It turns out that not only Highway 400 was supposed to be extended south, exit numbers reflect it. Now I know why Highway 401 is Exit 21 instead of Exit 1; it reflects the southward extension.
That's what I thought, but there are only 11 km to the Gardiner, so the numbers would have started at 10 even if ON 400 had been finished.  No idea what the extra 10 km is supposed to be for.
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.

I believe that would have been the crosstown expressway which meets the Spadina Expressway, the 400 would have never met the Spadina expressway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2016, 07:50:26 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.

This site isn't particularly well written, but it has maps that show the various iterations of the never-built 400-extension.

http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/highway-400-extension.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2016, 08:21:17 AM
Photos of the signage along the recently widened section of Highway 7/8 through Kitchener.  These photos were taken back in May, so they are very much out of date in terms of surface course paving:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_184_east_May16.jpg&hash=6b22ac4715f213d47b9768336f0f572646dc4253)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_184-5_east_May16.jpg&hash=6798d43b0544b7a53aa997f63255e56bf9fadba3)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_185_east_May16.jpg&hash=b5a304cad1df7372a1b19e529227f3a774fbbb55)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_185-5_east_May16.jpg&hash=ce5083970044cd7849ee9fa792a00f29042548c1)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_186_east_May16.jpg&hash=5bed6380ceba5b5aa12a5eccb81c215023c5129b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_188_east_t_May16.jpg&hash=e00426a5a98f189375d6e96663617157a3e9e590)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_186-5_west_May16.jpg&hash=e573e312683987e11f25cd60cae890bac9a6b6ff)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_186_west_May16.jpg&hash=a9760046421034b4d70964f0cfa8275fd93add21)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_185-5_west_May16.jpg&hash=90e7781d7821eb513d9cd3dc1b41375ab26d7207)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_185_west_May16.jpg&hash=296aaac435030057b92e56ed4a7e579d26f74181)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_184-5_west_May16.jpg&hash=9ef19cfb3aeb1230c7a9be3c00357ba52a0d3ea0)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2FContracts%2F2011-3003%2F2016%2F05-May%2F7_dv_184_west_May16.jpg&hash=b6a56f86d4405967585053cf9c528e7b1cb173ff)

The full set, and some more non-sign photos:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Contracts/Conestoga_Construction.htm#May16
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 06, 2016, 01:34:26 AM
I always wondered why there are so many urban "county" roads here in Ontario. Seems so anachronistic to me
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 06, 2016, 02:57:56 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 07:36:07 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on July 22, 2016, 05:20:57 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on July 22, 2016, 12:02:28 PM

Hmmm, I thought someone on here said it was. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the concept of Connecting Links? Victoria St has Hwy 7 and RR 55 shields side by side, so I thought this would equate to a Connecting Link. I figured this means the Region maintains the road, but signs it as a provincial highway. How is that different from a Connecting Link?

A Connecting Link is a legal agreement between the municipality and the Province. The road is designated as a continuation of the King's Highway, and while the municipality owns the roadway, many operations on it are subject to MTO review and approval. The upside of that is that expenses the municipality incurs along the designated CL receive provincial funding. In the case of Victoria Street, no such agreement is in place.

Thank you for the explanation! Wikipedia says it's not a CL either, and I believe you. But I'm still wondering who maintains Victoria St, since it has both a Hwy designation and a RR designation?

My question got buried here, but I'm wondering now if Victoria St is a full regional road (maintained by the region) that is simply signed as Hwy 7 to make navigation easier?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 06, 2016, 03:30:21 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2016, 07:50:26 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.

This site isn't particularly well written, but it has maps that show the various iterations of the never-built 400-extension.

http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/highway-400-extension.html
I'll quote this post since I've found more interesting things while checking the site.

It's turns out that they want to complete their road transportation plans from the 1960s, by using tunnels (a la I-710 gap). Here's what they want to do with Toronto: Link (http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/roads.html)

It makes sense: Toronto has tripled in size since 1971 (when they had last built a major freeway, or even a road) and thus gridlock is occurring. However, due to political reasons, nobody wants to build anything.

But what's strange about Toronto is that there's a lot of parks and rivers - not small neighborhood parks to go on the weekends, but large parks, such as parks along the Don Valley Parkway, and rivers running through Toronto. This must date to when Toronto wasn't a full blown major city.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 06, 2016, 06:48:58 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 06, 2016, 02:57:56 PM

My question got buried here, but I'm wondering now if Victoria St is a full regional road (maintained by the region) that is simply signed as Hwy 7 to make navigation easier?

That is accurate. There are a few cases where the municipality signs the provincial route for continuity's sake but forgoing strings that come attached to a CL agreement. Victoria Street is one such example.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 07, 2016, 01:13:20 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 06, 2016, 03:30:21 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2016, 07:50:26 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.

This site isn't particularly well written, but it has maps that show the various iterations of the never-built 400-extension.

http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/highway-400-extension.html
I'll quote this post since I've found more interesting things while checking the site.

It's turns out that they want to complete their road transportation plans from the 1960s, by using tunnels (a la I-710 gap). Here's what they want to do with Toronto: Link (http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/roads.html)

I'm sorry, but that plan looks so ridiculous, especially the roadway over Lake Ontario (the "offshore extension"). Like I mentioned earlier, I really don't think anything will be done in regards to freeways in Toronto. Fun to speculate, but that type of stuff will forever belong in the "fictional highways" board.

There is a proposed tunnel in Ottawa though that would connect ON 417 to A-5 in Quebec. Looks pretty neat if it will ever be built (which I don't think ever will be).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 07, 2016, 01:28:01 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 07, 2016, 01:13:20 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 06, 2016, 03:30:21 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2016, 07:50:26 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 04, 2016, 11:32:19 PM
The 400 would have swung east partway on its journey southward and hooked up with the Allen Rd./Spadina Expwy. I at least get about 15 km out of that, but 21 is tough.

This site isn't particularly well written, but it has maps that show the various iterations of the never-built 400-extension.

http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/highway-400-extension.html
I'll quote this post since I've found more interesting things while checking the site.

It's turns out that they want to complete their road transportation plans from the 1960s, by using tunnels (a la I-710 gap). Here's what they want to do with Toronto: Link (http://www.gettorontomoving.ca/roads.html)

I'm sorry, but that plan looks so ridiculous, especially the roadway over Lake Ontario (the "offshore extension"). Like I mentioned earlier, I really don't think anything will be done in regards to freeways in Toronto. Fun to speculate, but that type of stuff will forever belong in the "fictional highways" board.

There is a proposed tunnel in Ottawa though that would connect ON 417 to A-5 in Quebec. Looks pretty neat if it will ever be built (which I don't think ever will be).
Yeah I tried to be nice but, well, I'll admit the plan is ridiculous. I do not think that those freeways will ever happen. Seriously, I think that FritzOwl will have his freeways built by the time these freeways have a study completed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 07, 2016, 11:47:28 AM
Why would Victoria be signed as Highway 7, when it follows the Conestoga?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 07, 2016, 08:34:02 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 07, 2016, 11:47:28 AM
Why would Victoria be signed as Highway 7, when it follows the Conestoga?

Coming from the west, Highway 7 and 8 follow the Conestoga Parkway, then Hwy 8 branches off while 7 stays on the Parkway. Then, at Victoria St, Hwy 7 leaves the parkway and follows Victoria St east to Guelph. At this point, the Conestoga Parkway becomes 85 as it heads north to Waterloo.

So to clarify, Victoria St is Hwy 7 from the Parkway east to Guelph and beyond.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 07, 2016, 08:40:41 PM
I just took a trip to Forks of the Credit today (which was beautiful, I can't believe I've never been before when I grew up in Brampton)! But anyway, I noticed on the 410 extension that the median lights aren't up north of Mayfield Rd, though the base supports seems to be there.

This picture from Wikipedia shows what I mean, and even notes this in the caption. Does anyone know why the high-mast lighting isn't in place?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/410_Extension.png/1024px-410_Extension.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on August 07, 2016, 09:42:57 PM
Possibly because it isn't close enough to an exit? Here where I live, you never see lights on a freeway where there's not an exit around. But, it's weird that they put in the bolts for the lights but didn't actually put the lights in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 08, 2016, 09:12:25 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 07, 2016, 08:40:41 PM
I just took a trip to Forks of the Credit today (which was beautiful, I can't believe I've never before when I grew up in Brampton)! But anyway, I noticed on the 410 extension that the median lights aren't up north of Mayfield Rd, though the base supports seems to be there.

This picture from Wikipedia shows what I mean, and even notes this in the caption. Does anyone know why the high-mast lighting isn't in place?

The northern most portion of the 410 probably didn't meet the lighting warrant when it was constructed, so they didn't install high mast lights.  Though they probably recognized that lighting may be required in the future, so built the mounts so that lighting can be installed once it is warranted.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 08, 2016, 10:30:00 AM
^ But by today's overly strict regulations about building near rivers, the area won't be fully built out anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 08, 2016, 10:54:33 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 08, 2016, 10:30:00 AM
^ But by today's overly strict regulations about building near rivers, the area won't be fully built out anyways.

Adjacent development is a factor for intersection illumination on a King's Highway, but not for continuous freeway illumination.

The biggest construction cost is of course running the conduits and installing the footings, so putting them in during a major construction project (in this case, building from scratch) makes total sense. But the rest of the costs - poles, wires, luminaires, and far an away the most, the operation and maintenance - it makes sense to defer until it's needed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 09, 2016, 07:10:06 PM
^ Thanks guys for answering my 410 lighting question.

I noticed on my trip to Grey County a couple weekends ago that they've changed the design of their regional road shields. Also, the photos below show that Simcoe County also changed their design.

Here's a photo from thekingshighway.ca which shows the old designs for Grey County (left) and Simcoe County (right) on old Hwy 24 (photo taken May 13, 2007)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FPHOTOS-2%2Fhwy24-46_lg.jpg&hash=08c466eefc5c221b3de0fa46af9756059f16180d)

And here is the GSV of what I believe is the same location, taken in June 2015

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.2700778,-80.2328735,3a,15y,30.94h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFNeoJI2nKjRxyLLuwlI8_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.2700778,-80.2328735,3a,15y,30.94h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFNeoJI2nKjRxyLLuwlI8_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzBXlfSI.png&hash=b03403082f720922e8210cc3355f91e538a073d1)

GSV suggests that Simcoe County switched between August 2009 and October 2011, while Grey County switched between October 2011 and June 2015. I'm surprised I didn't notice sooner, but I unfortunately don't head up that way as often as I used to :-/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 09, 2016, 10:33:21 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 09, 2016, 07:10:06 PM
^ Thanks guys for answering my 410 lighting question.

I noticed on my trip to Grey County a couple weekends ago that they've changed the design of their regional road shields. Also, the photos below show that Simcoe County also changed their design.

Here's a photo from thekingshighway.ca which shows the old designs for Grey County (left) and Simcoe County (right) on old Hwy 24 (photo taken May 13, 2007)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FPHOTOS-2%2Fhwy24-46_lg.jpg&hash=08c466eefc5c221b3de0fa46af9756059f16180d)

And here is the GSV of what I believe is the same location, taken in June 2015

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.2700778,-80.2328735,3a,15y,30.94h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFNeoJI2nKjRxyLLuwlI8_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.2700778,-80.2328735,3a,15y,30.94h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFNeoJI2nKjRxyLLuwlI8_w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzBXlfSI.png&hash=b03403082f720922e8210cc3355f91e538a073d1)

GSV suggests that Simcoe County switched between August 2009 and October 2011, while Grey County switched between October 2011 and June 2015. I'm surprised I didn't notice sooner, but I unfortunately don't head up that way as often as I used to :-/

You can thank Clearview for the Grey County font change (still beats Helvetica any day of the week). The Simcoe sign really should have the name more clearly IMO.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 09, 2016, 10:47:58 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 09, 2016, 10:33:21 PM
You can thank Clearview for the Grey County font change (still beats Helvetica any day of the week). The Simcoe sign really should have the name more clearly IMO.

That GSV photo isn't the greatest for the Simcoe County shield, so here's an illustration I found from Google Images

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Simcoe_Road_124_sign.png)

I agree that they sacrificed some legibility for appearance, but it's funny how the new version reads "County of Simcoe County Road 124" :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 11, 2016, 09:20:33 PM
Looks like the ON 69 twinning (and future ON-400) is now open. I found this on another forum: http://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=925407

Still not on Google though. If it's not there by Monday, I'll report it in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: chays on August 12, 2016, 11:05:04 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 11, 2016, 09:20:33 PM
Looks like the ON 69 twinning (and future ON-400) is now open. I found this on another forum: http://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=925407

Still not on Google though. If it's not there by Monday, I'll report it in.
Do you know if this is controlled access with any new interchanges?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on August 12, 2016, 11:36:14 AM
Yes, they built two new interchanges, one interchange with Highway 64 near Alban and another north of there for forest access. It's basically a freeway. An interchange with highway 607 is under construction as part of the extension southward.

It opened on August 5th.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2016, 11:21:47 AM
Last weekend I took some photos of the section of the 401 through Cambridge being widened from six to ten lanes:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F401_2014-3014_google.jpg&hash=dbc74e97f527f7f61612e358411c6bb6b1adf642)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_west_C_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=aacfd2d2aee922212f835c88d8e51d0d7bb24dd8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_east_C_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1191f611e754be5f9d335bee5e293faf3e856ead)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_east_EB_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=ee1ebea4658c5ab0138d743039cda5f191acd8ff)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_281_west_c_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1470b039fe5aef6d3a62131b1ecd3796f147125f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_281_east_c_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=7a2e54deda1375455bb3f82ace8dcf6c8a8b46b8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_281_east_C_t_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=0cee06e15a84a8ccf676b6df0e02cae327da0227)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_281_east_EB_w_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=81832a0061107d4a2e16a63573abe0d517c04127)

My entire set of images:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_CambridgeCons_images.htm (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Hwy401_CambridgeCons_images.htm)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 13, 2016, 11:33:32 AM
^ Nice photos AsphaltPlanet, thanks for posting these!

One question I've been meaning to ask is why the TCB (temporary concrete barrier) looks so "mismatched". They seem to be strange mix of light grey, dark grey and some yellow paint. Is it being reused from other sites (as opposed to brand new TCB)? I quoted 3 of your photos below which show the mismatched TCB along the median.

Also, the first photo quoted below shows the traffic problems on the 8 to 401 ramp that I've been hearing on the radio for months now. I've been using Fairway Rd > Fountain St > Maple Grove Rd > Hespeler Rd to avoid that section. :)

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2016, 11:21:47 AM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_west_C_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=aacfd2d2aee922212f835c88d8e51d0d7bb24dd8)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_east_C_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1191f611e754be5f9d335bee5e293faf3e856ead)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2016%2F08-Aug%2F401_cl_278_east_EB_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=ee1ebea4658c5ab0138d743039cda5f191acd8ff)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2016, 11:37:33 AM
^ Those are moveable zipper barriers, not standard TCB (or jersey barrier).  These do get re-used from different job sites, which probably explains why they look as they do.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 13, 2016, 12:40:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2016, 11:37:33 AM
^ Those are moveable zipper barriers, not standard TCB (or jersey barrier).  These do get re-used from different job sites, which probably explains why they look as they do.

Of course, the distinct squarish tops should have given away that they're zipper barriers. I guess I'm a bit surprised they're being used here, since I didn't think they would be moving the barriers too often. Thanks AsphaltPlanet :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 13, 2016, 01:10:08 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 13, 2016, 12:40:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2016, 11:37:33 AM
^ Those are moveable zipper barriers, not standard TCB (or jersey barrier).  These do get re-used from different job sites, which probably explains why they look as they do.

Of course, the distinct squarish tops should have given away that they're zipper barriers. I guess I'm a bit surprised they're being used here, since I didn't think they would be moving the barriers too often. Thanks AsphaltPlanet :)

Sometimes, used zipper barrier segments get offered at prices that beat conventional barrier, just because they're too old for a permanent zipper system but they're still functional. May as well try to monetize it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 13, 2016, 07:00:20 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 09, 2016, 10:47:58 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 09, 2016, 10:33:21 PM
You can thank Clearview for the Grey County font change (still beats Helvetica any day of the week). The Simcoe sign really should have the name more clearly IMO.

That GSV photo isn't the greatest for the Simcoe County shield, so here's an illustration I found from Google Images

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Simcoe_Road_124_sign.png)

I'm the creator of that sign. Possibly "illegally", as I used the real logo, and don't know if it's Public Domain or not. Someone flagged it after uploading it to Wikipedia (on an second older account which thought was closed down years ago) and so I made a modified version:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_numbered_roads_in_Simcoe_County#/media/File:Simcoe_Road_91_sign.png

Surprisingly, the guy flagged that image too as being too similar to the real version. But I uploaded them on the current account along with some of the real ones and haven't been bothered since.

PS: It looks like I'll have to make a Grey County 124 version to add to the Hurontario Street article.








Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 15, 2016, 12:27:31 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 13, 2016, 07:00:20 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 09, 2016, 10:47:58 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 09, 2016, 10:33:21 PM
You can thank Clearview for the Grey County font change (still beats Helvetica any day of the week). The Simcoe sign really should have the name more clearly IMO.

That GSV photo isn't the greatest for the Simcoe County shield, so here's an illustration I found from Google Images

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Simcoe_Road_124_sign.png)

I'm the creator of that sign. Possibly "illegally", as I used the real logo, and don't know if it's Public Domain or not. Someone flagged it after uploading it to Wikipedia (on an second older account which thought was closed down years ago) and so I made a modified version:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_numbered_roads_in_Simcoe_County#/media/File:Simcoe_Road_91_sign.png

Surprisingly, the guy flagged that image too as being too similar to the real version. But I uploaded them on the current account along with some of the real ones and haven't been bothered since.

PS: It looks like I'll have to make a Grey County 124 version to add to the Hurontario Street article.

Cool! Well I'm looking forward to seeing the new Grey CR 124 shield :)

On the topic of county/regional road shields, I also noticed that Perth county has a new shield design, and I really like it. I took this picture on Friday at the intersection with CR 107.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FpfBbHqY.jpg&hash=9056d78b84d2c44dca3eca0adfc6f9d6fb4a4f6b)

Judging from GSV, it looks like the new shields started between 2014 and 2015.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 15, 2016, 11:56:41 PM
I made the Grey CR 124 sign. Here it is:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_numbered_roads_in_Grey_County#/media/File:Grey_Road_124_sign.png

I won't put it in the Hurontario St. article though because the Grey section isn't part of it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2016, 02:27:38 PM
Sandy Hill Truck Tunnel (Ottawa to Gatineau) feasibility study:

https://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents.ottawa.ca/files/truck_tunnel_feasibility_en.pdf
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 17, 2016, 05:38:53 PM
MUCH better than what's there now, but it's too bad it still won't be a true freeway-freeway connection.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2016, 06:00:53 PM
This was purely an exercise in feasibility.  It doesn't look like they have really given too much thought to the connection at the 417 at this point.

If this project were to proceed moving forward a comprehensive environmental assessment would need to be completed, at which time a better connection to the 417 may (or may not be) evaluated.  If this project were to be built, it's a long way off, and this is far from final design.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 17, 2016, 07:26:18 PM
Thanks for posting the study; it's definitely an interesting read.

I found the section on Wacker Drive in Chicago interesting (Section 2.2, pages 8 & 9, slides 29 & 30 of pdf), as I've never heard of it before. I've always found the idea of a double-deck road to be intriguing. I also like the look of elevated freeways (I look forward to trips on the Gardiner, but I've also gotten lucky with traffic on it, for the most part :-D)

Section 1.1 (on page 1, slide 19 of pdf) raises some questions for me:

QuoteThe construction of Quebec provincial Highway 5 and the six-lane Macdonald-Cartier Bridge across the Ottawa River in the 1960s resulted in significant increases in the number of motor vehicles on King Edward Avenue and downtown Ottawa roadways leading to Highway 417. In response to the growing demands for both cars and heavy trucks in the 1970s, plans were made for the construction of the "Vanier Arterial"  that would link directly from the north end of King Edward Avenue and the off ramps from the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, then cross east over the Rideau River and run along a former railway line to Highway 417. This controlled access roadway would offer an alternative north-south route to the King Edward Avenue and Nicholas Street Corridor for vehicles traveling between the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and Highway 417. Federal and municipal parties involved in the construction of the "Vanier Arterial"  ultimately made an agreement that trucks would be prohibited on that road; this requirement remains in force today.

The northern end of the now named Vanier Parkway, from Beechwood Avenue across the Rideau River to the bridge off ramps, was never built. It was removed from the road network plans of the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton as part of the 1997 Regional Official Plan as approved by the Ontario Municipal Board.
As a result, the King Edward-Rideau-Waller-Nicholas (KERWN) corridor remains the main connection and truck route between Highway 417 and the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.

1) Why are trucks prohibited on Vanier? Wouldn't it be better to have trucks on the better-designed arterial than on King Edward Ave going through the heart of the city?

2) How come the northern end of Vanier was never built? Was it simply too expensive? I don't think the current setup with St. Patrick is too bad (though keep in mind I'm judging this off only a couple days I spent in the area). But it stills seems like a shame to not finish through with the Vanier Arterial plan.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 17, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Quick question: is there any double decker highways or bridges or whatever in Ontario, or even Canada? Because it seems the only double decker structure is the Prince Edward Viaduct.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 18, 2016, 10:39:27 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 17, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Quick question: is there any double decker highways or bridges or whatever in Ontario, or even Canada? Because it seems the only double decker structure is the Prince Edward Viaduct.

Not that I'm aware. But I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 19, 2016, 12:16:18 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 18, 2016, 10:39:27 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 17, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Quick question: is there any double decker highways or bridges or whatever in Ontario, or even Canada? Because it seems the only double decker structure is the Prince Edward Viaduct.

Not that I'm aware. But I could be wrong.


Whirlpool Bridge is technically half in Canada. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 19, 2016, 10:18:17 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 19, 2016, 12:16:18 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 18, 2016, 10:39:27 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 17, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Quick question: is there any double decker highways or bridges or whatever in Ontario, or even Canada? Because it seems the only double decker structure is the Prince Edward Viaduct.

Not that I'm aware. But I could be wrong.


Whirlpool Bridge is technically half in Canada. :)

Kinda sorta Burlington St in Hamilton (some of which was recently renamed Nikola Tesla Blvd).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 12:35:25 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 19, 2016, 10:18:17 AM
Quote from: Alps on August 19, 2016, 12:16:18 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 18, 2016, 10:39:27 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 17, 2016, 07:34:32 PM
Quick question: is there any double decker highways or bridges or whatever in Ontario, or even Canada? Because it seems the only double decker structure is the Prince Edward Viaduct.

Not that I'm aware. But I could be wrong.


Whirlpool Bridge is technically half in Canada. :)

Kinda sorta Burlington St in Hamilton (some of which was recently renamed Nikola Tesla Blvd).

Cool, I didn't realize that Burlington St had a double-deck portion (in my defence, I've only driven it once). I definitely found it a cool road to drive, with large overpasses and corresponding signs like these, and the industrial scenery!

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.2647665,-79.8296652,3a,37.5y,121.38h,91.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soZUSE6vWswI2J8NOiL5JyA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.2647665,-79.8296652,3a,37.5y,121.38h,91.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soZUSE6vWswI2J8NOiL5JyA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FAJqx0tc.png&hash=0517bcb9cd5ce4e3ab8b7b40221f02bc56648db8)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 09:34:40 PM
I just noticed this substandard interchange on the 400 at Canal Road. I'm surprised it's even open! There's no acceleration or deceleration lanes.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.0505872,-79.6076419,159m/data=!3m1!1e3 (https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.0505872,-79.6076419,159m/data=!3m1!1e3)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fg5Tv9EP.png&hash=22a81d33e6c07137f5dc6bb61d55b4c51b236acf)

Doing a quick Google search, I found this article:

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/05/05/residents-want-hwy-400-ramps-to-canal-road-saved (http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/05/05/residents-want-hwy-400-ramps-to-canal-road-saved)

Here's part of the article

QuoteBRADFORD – Holland Marsh farmers and residents filled the local library's Zima Room this week seeking help to keep the Highway 400 ramps to Canal Road open.

They want Bradford West Gwillimbury councillors to support a resolution and back them up with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), which plans to permanently close the ramps, once the Line 5 interchange is built.

The locals say the closure will affect both local agriculture and businesses such as the Canal Road Farmers' Market.

"If this ramp closes on both sides (of Highway 400), it will be significant not only to me, but to everyone here,"  said Celina Singh. "We'd really like your support to take this forward to the Ministry of Transportation to oppose closing these ramps."  

Singh, who owns the farmers' market, pleaded with councillors.

"We don't come from a rich family," she said. "We've worked so hard to make this farmers' market work, and now we hear it's being taken away from us."

Ward 3 councillor Gary Lamb put forward a motion calling on the MTO to not close the ramps, and to shorten the period of time that Canal Road, between Wist and Davis roads, will be closed during the highway widening.

The current plans call for a three-year closure to cover the duration of construction.

Town council agreed to the closure of the ramps in 2006 after a tragic accident resulted in the death of a mother and her four-year-old son in the frigid waters of the north canal.

I can understand their complaints, but this interchange is so unsafe, when people are going 120-130 on the 400. And it's not like Hwy 9 or (in the future) Line 5 are that far away.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 19, 2016, 10:13:25 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 09:34:40 PM
I just noticed this substandard interchange on the 400 at Canal Road. I'm surprised it's even open! There's no acceleration or deceleration lanes.

Well, there is. The MTO just didn't construct any slip lanes (why does the deceleration lane continue past the turn off?). Note, for example, this interchange along the Sea-to-Sky Highway north of Vancouver. There is, similarly, little ROW available for wide, sweeping turns. But they constructed channelization islands to ensure that traffic didn't merge anywhere except into the acceleration lanes. This ensures that vehicles merge at-speed, rather than from a stop. The MTO could easily keep the Canal Road junction open. It just needs to be modified from its current configuration.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fl4SrMdo.png&hash=c2c5ba56fd51a1371c0a7684f58974a61592da5b)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 10:28:12 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 19, 2016, 10:13:25 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 09:34:40 PM
I just noticed this substandard interchange on the 400 at Canal Road. I'm surprised it's even open! There's no acceleration or deceleration lanes.

Well, there is. The MTO just didn't construct any slip lanes (why does the deceleration lane continue past the turn off?).

I guess I should have scrolled farther, I thought they were regular lanes. I believe the deceleration lane continues past the turn off so it can be an acceleration lane for traffic entering the 400. In regards to channelization islands, maybe it would be too tight of a turn for large trucks?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
Speaking of Highway 400, there seems to be some strange interchange designs on some exits. Here's exit 35. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8492944,-79.5434745,15.42z) I know that Canada's Wonderland is right there, but wouldn't a simple diamond just work? Heck, even exit 33 has this design.

I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s and were later modified when Canada's Wonderland opened in the 1970s.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 11:14:48 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
Speaking of Highway 400, there seems to be some strange interchange designs on some exits. Here's exit 35. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8492944,-79.5434745,15.42z) I know that Canada's Wonderland is right there, but wouldn't a simple diamond just work? Heck, even exit 33 has this design.

I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s and were later modified when Canada's Wonderland opened in the 1970s.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but these look like Parclo A4's, which are very common in Ontario (let me know if you're referring to something else). The problem with diamond interchanges is that left turns lanes would be required on the arterials, which requires more lanes and a wider bridge, along with additional signal phasing.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 20, 2016, 12:13:36 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
wouldn't a simple diamond just work?

Tell that to the MTO. If you go to Ontario, you have to look pretty hard for a diamond interchange; they're just not built commonly. Some areas could get away with a diamond, but are built with Parclo instead.

Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s

Maybe, but maybe not (I'm too lazy to look it up). Parclo's are definitely not an old style. This one on ON 69 (future ON 400) just opened two weeks ago (still not on Google)  :banghead:

https://goo.gl/maps/1W2BhjRMz5C2

The Parclo A4 is Ontario's default and standard interchange. It is basically used unless there is a reason not to. Rumour has it that the MTO invented the A4 (as far as I know, this has not been proven). I would guess ~90% of Ontario's interchanges are Parclo A4 today, and it will stay that way (the brand new ON 407 extension uses... guess what... Parclo A4's through its length). Other parts of Canada use Diamonds in the same way the US does.

The US however, does use A4's as well (though not as commonly obviously). Here is a row of three Parclo A4's in California:
https://goo.gl/maps/wT9tq6iRvzr

I'm not bashing Parclo's; I think they're a safe and convenient style that gets the job done. But I do think they're overused/overkill sometimes.

EDIT: Here's a diamond in Ontario. It took me a few minutes to find a "classic" one:

https://goo.gl/maps/VY2nS7N913F2
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: amroad17 on August 20, 2016, 05:45:54 AM
Even Kentucky has a few.  One is about two miles from where I live (I-275/KY 16 interchange, Exit 79).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.

Some cool photos and videos have been posted on here, starting on page 20. It's definitely an exciting project, and I'm glad I got to drive it a month ago. Now the 407 is finally a true bypass of Toronto. Before it ended in the middle of nowhere, so my family always used the 404 to get between the two, but the 412 is much nicer.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 11:09:23 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.

Some cool photos and videos have been posted on here, starting on page 20. It's definitely an exciting project, and I'm glad I got to drive it a month ago. Now the 407 is finally a true bypass of Toronto. Before it ended in the middle of nowhere, so my family always used the 404 to get between the two, but the 412 is much nicer.

Sadly though, my parents never use the 407...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:29:30 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 11:09:23 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.

Some cool photos and videos have been posted on here, starting on page 20. It's definitely an exciting project, and I'm glad I got to drive it a month ago. Now the 407 is finally a true bypass of Toronto. Before it ended in the middle of nowhere, so my family always used the 404 to get between the two, but the 412 is much nicer.

Sadly though, my parents never use the 407...

It is a ridiculously overpriced highway. It's hard not to be jealous of the US's toll roads, which generally have much cheaper toll rates.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 20, 2016, 11:56:08 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:29:30 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 11:09:23 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.

Some cool photos and videos have been posted on here, starting on page 20. It's definitely an exciting project, and I'm glad I got to drive it a month ago. Now the 407 is finally a true bypass of Toronto. Before it ended in the middle of nowhere, so my family always used the 404 to get between the two, but the 412 is much nicer.

Sadly though, my parents never use the 407...

It is a ridiculously overpriced highway.

Hence more incentive to drive it now while it's free!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 21, 2016, 01:00:50 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 20, 2016, 11:56:08 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:29:30 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 11:09:23 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 20, 2016, 09:26:44 PM
Highway 412 and Highway 407E was opened in 2016.

Some cool photos and videos have been posted on here, starting on page 20. It's definitely an exciting project, and I'm glad I got to drive it a month ago. Now the 407 is finally a true bypass of Toronto. Before it ended in the middle of nowhere, so my family always used the 404 to get between the two, but the 412 is much nicer.

Sadly though, my parents never use the 407...

It is a ridiculously overpriced highway.

Hence more incentive to drive it now while it's free!

I wish, but I never go that far east..
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: amroad17 on August 22, 2016, 02:54:02 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 11:14:48 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
Speaking of Highway 400, there seems to be some strange interchange designs on some exits. Here's exit 35. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8492944,-79.5434745,15.42z) I know that Canada's Wonderland is right there, but wouldn't a simple diamond just work? Heck, even exit 33 has this design.

I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s and were later modified when Canada's Wonderland opened in the 1970s.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but these look like Parclo A4's, which are very common in Ontario (let me know if you're referring to something else). The problem with diamond interchanges is that left turns lanes would be required on the arterials, which requires more lanes and a wider bridge, along with additional signal phasing.
Isn't that considered a parclo A6 because of the six ramps?  The one on Hwy 400 is like the one near my house I mentioned seven posts back.  I believe A4's only have four ramps.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 22, 2016, 07:07:06 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on August 22, 2016, 02:54:02 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 11:14:48 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
Speaking of Highway 400, there seems to be some strange interchange designs on some exits. Here's exit 35. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8492944,-79.5434745,15.42z) I know that Canada's Wonderland is right there, but wouldn't a simple diamond just work? Heck, even exit 33 has this design.

I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s and were later modified when Canada's Wonderland opened in the 1970s.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but these look like Parclo A4's, which are very common in Ontario (let me know if you're referring to something else). The problem with diamond interchanges is that left turns lanes would be required on the arterials, which requires more lanes and a wider bridge, along with additional signal phasing.
Isn't that considered a parclo A6 because of the six ramps?  The one on Hwy 400 is like the one near my house I mentioned seven posts back.  I believe A4's only have four ramps.

Good question. The Wikipedia section on the naming of parclos explains how the number is not related to the number of ramps:

Quoteidentified by a letter/number suffix after the name. Other jurisdictions do not have naming conventions, so Ontario's naming conventions are used in this article. The letter A designates that two ramps meet the freeway before the driver crosses the arterial road, while B designates that two ramps meet the freeway past the crossing.

The number designates how many quadrants of the interchange contain ramps. In left-hand drive countries, the ramps function the same as in right-hand drive countries, but ramps with the same designation appear visually reversed. Common parclo configurations include the Parclo A2, Parclo B2 and Parclo A4.

There's also a diagram of an A4 from the article which shows the six ramps:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Parclo_A4.svg/335px-Parclo_A4.svg.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 09:34:40 PM
I just noticed this substandard interchange on the 400 at Canal Road. I'm surprised it's even open! There's no acceleration or deceleration lanes.
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 09:34:40 PM
I can understand their complaints, but this interchange is so unsafe, when people are going 120-130 on the 400. And it's not like Hwy 9 or (in the future) Line 5 are that far away.

Quick answers to the questions in question:
- The interchange has that design because back in the 40s-50s they didn't know yet just how bad of an idea that was
- The auxiliary lane is there indeed to facilitate the RIRO movement, accelerating traffic has more space than usual to get up to speed
- Operating speed is 110-114 km/h, not quite the 120-130 mentioned earlier
- No channelization as there isn't the space for it
- Safety-wise the interchange actually does better than its conventiaonlly-designed neighbours. My speculation is that because it's so visibly terrible that people take extra caution
- The safety issues are Canal Rd itself, which admittedly aren't as bad as they were before the work over the last decade increased the space between the road and canal; removing the interchange reduces traffic on the roads

Quote from: 7/8 on August 20, 2016, 11:29:30 PM
It is a ridiculously overpriced highway. It's hard not to be jealous of the US's toll roads, which generally have much cheaper toll rates.

The 407ETR is priced at the most attractive price it can be placed at before service breaks down. If it were cheaper, it would be an awful, congested road.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 12:42:10 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
- No channelization as there isn't the space for it

How so? What are the MTO's standards for channelization islands? Most jurisdictions that I can think of could fit a pork chop island in there, no problem.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 02:46:10 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 12:42:10 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
- No channelization as there isn't the space for it

How so? What are the MTO's standards for channelization islands? Most jurisdictions that I can think of could fit a pork chop island in there, no problem.

That's not a place for a channelization island, that's a freeway entrance so a full on ramp would be required.

Unless there's an issue with wrong-way movements at that location (and there isn't), then there's no need to put in an island there. In fact, the island itself would be more likely to cause an issue (hazard in the clear zone, maintenance issues with snow removal and/or piling on the island) than solve anything. So as an interim solution, this old design isn't doing badly, so don't mess with it. Long-term solution is to replace it completely.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 03:31:03 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 02:46:10 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 12:42:10 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
- No channelization as there isn't the space for it

How so? What are the MTO's standards for channelization islands? Most jurisdictions that I can think of could fit a pork chop island in there, no problem.

That's not a place for a channelization island, that's a freeway entrance so a full on ramp would be required.

Unless there's an issue with wrong-way movements at that location (and there isn't), then there's no need to put in an island there. In fact, the island itself would be more likely to cause an issue (hazard in the clear zone, maintenance issues with snow removal and/or piling on the island) than solve anything. So as an interim solution, this old design isn't doing badly, so don't mess with it. Long-term solution is to replace it completely.

I see. Any in case, the BC solution would be to channelise the exit and entrance ramps, such that you can't merge into anything more than the acceleration lane, and that you can't continue straight from the deceleration lane. Chevron markings and a raised island provide the channelisation necessary.

I'm guessing that the MTO doesn't consider BC's solution feasible? The example below (which I posted on the last page) is from the Sea to Sky Highway, which is more of an expressway, granted. But it feels more like a freeway than the Canal Road ramps. In the interim, I think it would be smart for the MTO to install small raised islands between the deceleration and acceleration lanes, until the interchange can be replaced entirely. At least to make things feel more natural. At the very least, paint some guidance lines and remove the stop sign. Why force traffic to stop when there's an acceleration lane?

Quote from: jakeroot on August 19, 2016, 10:13:25 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fl4SrMdo.png&hash=c2c5ba56fd51a1371c0a7684f58974a61592da5b)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 05:01:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 03:31:03 PM
I see. Any in case, the BC solution would be to channelise the exit and entrance ramps, such that you can't merge into anything more than the acceleration lane, and that you can't continue straight from the deceleration lane. Chevron markings and a raised island provide the channelisation necessary.

Well, that sort of thing has been done before, such as in a whole pile of locations just to the north of there on Highway 11. But that's a road with a lower design speed and lower classification. And with

Quote from: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 03:31:03 PM
I'm guessing that the MTO doesn't consider BC's solution feasible? The example below (which I posted on the last page) is from the Sea to Sky Highway, which is more of an expressway, granted. But it feels more like a freeway than the Canal Road ramps. In the interim, I think it would be smart for the MTO to install small raised islands between the deceleration and acceleration lanes, until the interchange can be replaced entirely. At least to make things feel more natural. At the very least, paint some guidance lines and remove the stop sign. Why force traffic to stop when there's an acceleration lane?

Oh, that type of solution is feasible, but Ontario stopped designing interchanges like that about the same time they stopped building ones like Canal Road (seriously, a loop to pull a 180 degree turn within 20 m?).  :banghead:

In terms of interim solutions, sure you could channelize the throat of the intersection, but what problem will that hope to solve? In the last five years, the number of collisions that have occurred at the ramp terminals that might, MIGHT, be prevented by that solution is 1. A single collision. The number of collisions resulting from wrong way movements is a big fat zero. So you could spend money here to fix something that is a terrible design, but functions spectacularly well. Or you could spend money practically anywhere else in the province and definitely achieve a better cost/benefit ratio.

It's a terrible design. It really gives no room for error, it serves a lousy side road, and its spacing will not accommodate the planned widening of the highway. It needs to go, but since there's no demonstrated safety issue there then there's zero sense spending money on it until you absolutely need to do so.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 22, 2016, 10:49:14 PM
Some recent photos of the 417 extension west of Arnprior, Ontario:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_185_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=9c2fddeccf5f83c6f3432c0706c2e747a61ea67f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_185_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_185_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Campbell Drive doesn't really go to Braeside, but nevertheless, the business district is signed via Campbell Drive.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_186_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1599296a9010c299d623c837e00bc73c3df1b984)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_186_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_186_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Westbound advanced signage for the Campbell Drive interchange.  The remnants of the old lane configuration from when the four lane highway ended at this location are still visible on the pavement.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_187_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1b52a15d06a0525adb8257ef84db7dcdb38dfefc)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_187_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_187_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Signage at the westbound off-ramp to Campbell Drive.  Campbell Drive is Exit # 187.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_187_east_C_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=eff831b7015b59a97101ecaf5f55653e956835ce)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_east_C_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_east_C_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Centralized view from the Campbell Drive overpass, looking easterly.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_187_east_WB_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=3ae8bcf39e3d72c433c2fecf29ac0080cee478be)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_east_WB_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_east_WB_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Easterly view overtop of the westbound lanes.  The westbound lanes are effectively complete.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_structure_187_north_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=a133a6a0a734c9c073bb85df1332b0bde0d7b6c3)
Campbell Drive has a four lane cross-section overtop of the 417

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_sign_CampbellDr_NorthBay_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=1e2b51726e7656e938b25ea4cb30eed043ceb4ff)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_sign_CampbellDr_Ottawa_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=0df107d2d36fc87822ef255efd47db47c95b0ba4)
The control cities for the 417 are Ottawa and North Bay respectively.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_187_west_WB_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=5ca67348b38586675678ec556f238744aacd6ed7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_west_WB_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_west_WB_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Westerly view over the westbound lanes from Campbell Drive

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_cl_187_west_EB_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=561874d6ac481aed0329cc136e56855b411b62b1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_west_EB_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_cl_187_west_EB_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Westerly view over the eastbound lanes.  By the looks of things, the eastbound lanes have been resurfaced using recycled asphalt.  Typically a leveling course followed by a surface wearing course would be applied to complete the highway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_188_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=de2dc080969de0013bd53366fe27eca8a8d22390)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_188_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_188_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Distance signage for the destinations that Highway 417 one day hopes to go to.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_189_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=cf1e201284ea1b3502d73413e99fd6f968dff922)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
The right lane ends.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_189-5_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=7804eef509b009d55bc659a0fbd2195f8465015a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189-5_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189-5_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Westerly view overtop of the Scheel Drive underpass.  The left shoulder has extra space then typical.  I'm guessing it was built that way to facilitate construction staging for the next extension of the 417 towards Renfrew (whenever that happens).

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_189-75_west_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=61b1c5fdb68b0e9ebbcd949f333718189937962e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189-75_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_189-75_west_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
A short stub was graded beyond the Scheel Drive underpass to facilitate a future extension of the four lane highway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F17_CentreLineRumbleStrip_Aug16_forum.jpg&hash=ccfd6ef90292c90b9719efbfa9b2958db2de06e9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/17_CentreLineRumbleStrip_Aug16_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/17_CentreLineRumbleStrip_Aug16_24x16.jpg)
Continuing west on conventional Hwy 17.  Much of the next 2000km of highway look striking similar to this.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 22, 2016, 11:54:10 PM
What a welcome surprise! I didn't think that road was going to be opened until the fall. Now, all someone needs to do is fix Google, which has it horribly done and incorrect.

Too bad there's no more funding for more extensions west. But hey, you can't do everything at the same time. Perhaps this will be done further once the ON 69 (and maybe ON 11/17) cools off a bit.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 23, 2016, 04:07:13 PM
^ While the westbound lanes are pretty much complete, a lot of work remains in order to finish the eastbound lanes of the highway.  The eastbound structure for Scheel Drive isn't anywhere near completed, and the temporary road that the eastbound lanes are currently utilizing will need to be blasted and removed before Scheel Drive can be re-opened.  So it's indeed nice that the construction has advanced as far as it has, make no mistake, it will still be the end of 2016 before construction has been fully completed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 23, 2016, 11:40:40 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 22, 2016, 05:01:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 22, 2016, 03:31:03 PM
I'm guessing that the MTO doesn't consider BC's solution feasible? The example below (which I posted on the last page) is from the Sea to Sky Highway, which is more of an expressway, granted. But it feels more like a freeway than the Canal Road ramps. In the interim, I think it would be smart for the MTO to install small raised islands between the deceleration and acceleration lanes, until the interchange can be replaced entirely. At least to make things feel more natural. At the very least, paint some guidance lines and remove the stop sign. Why force traffic to stop when there's an acceleration lane?

Oh, that type of solution is feasible, but Ontario stopped designing interchanges like that about the same time they stopped building ones like Canal Road (seriously, a loop to pull a 180 degree turn within 20 m?).  :banghead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoXfiSU_wqE
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2016, 08:16:27 AM
^ Really?

Quote from: jakeroot on August 19, 2016, 10:13:25 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fl4SrMdo.png&hash=c2c5ba56fd51a1371c0a7684f58974a61592da5b)

You realize the Sea-to-Sky Highway is posted at 60km/h through this interchange right?

http://goo.gl/dEOHHx
http://goo.gl/poqNc1

You aren't similarly proposing to lower the speed limit on the 400 to 60 as well are you?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 24, 2016, 09:22:07 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 24, 2016, 08:16:27 AM
^ Really?

Quote from: jakeroot on August 19, 2016, 10:13:25 PM
http://i.imgur.com/l4SrMdo.png

You realize the Sea-to-Sky Highway is posted at 60km/h through this interchange right?

http://goo.gl/dEOHHx
http://goo.gl/poqNc1

You aren't similarly proposing to lower the speed limit on the 400 to 60 as well are you?

A) cbeach was making a province vs province joke, so I jokingly told him to jog on.
B) the Sea to Sky has similar design standards even in the 100 km/h sections
C) my point was to highlight how you could similarly treat the dead area between the deceleration and acceleration lanes at the Canal Road interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: amroad17 on August 24, 2016, 05:31:23 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 22, 2016, 07:07:06 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on August 22, 2016, 02:54:02 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 19, 2016, 11:14:48 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 19, 2016, 11:08:41 PM
Speaking of Highway 400, there seems to be some strange interchange designs on some exits. Here's exit 35. (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8492944,-79.5434745,15.42z) I know that Canada's Wonderland is right there, but wouldn't a simple diamond just work? Heck, even exit 33 has this design.

I'm thinking that these interchanges date to the opening way back in the 1950s and were later modified when Canada's Wonderland opened in the 1970s.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but these look like Parclo A4's, which are very common in Ontario (let me know if you're referring to something else). The problem with diamond interchanges is that left turns lanes would be required on the arterials, which requires more lanes and a wider bridge, along with additional signal phasing.
Isn't that considered a parclo A6 because of the six ramps?  The one on Hwy 400 is like the one near my house I mentioned seven posts back.  I believe A4's only have four ramps.

Good question. The Wikipedia section on the naming of parclos explains how the number is not related to the number of ramps:

Quoteidentified by a letter/number suffix after the name. Other jurisdictions do not have naming conventions, so Ontario's naming conventions are used in this article. The letter A designates that two ramps meet the freeway before the driver crosses the arterial road, while B designates that two ramps meet the freeway past the crossing.

The number designates how many quadrants of the interchange contain ramps. In left-hand drive countries, the ramps function the same as in right-hand drive countries, but ramps with the same designation appear visually reversed. Common parclo configurations include the Parclo A2, Parclo B2 and Parclo A4.

There's also a diagram of an A4 from the article which shows the six ramps:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Parclo_A4.svg/335px-Parclo_A4.svg.png)
I thought the numbering involved the number of ramps, not the number of quadrants.  Should have researched it more.  So, there is an A4 near my house.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 25, 2016, 03:38:27 PM
Some more strange things I've thought about is Highway 7's downloading and why 407 was tolled.

For one, was Highway 7 congested through Markham and Vaughan and thus needed a freeway bypass?

During construction of Highway 407, was it supposed to be tolled as a P3 and thus Cintra managed the tolls?

Was the government in debt at the time and thus needed the toll money?

It's really strange that Highway 407 isn't free and is priced very high. Highway 402 had also replaced Highway 7 and that never got tolled.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: lordsutch on August 25, 2016, 07:15:14 PM
Highway 407 was always planned as a bypass of 401 and 427 (although the southern section of 407 was originally intended to be Highway 403, hence why the 407 "bounces" off the QEW and there's a 403 multiplex with the QEW). My recollection was that it was built as a mostly-private project partially on the basis of ideology by the Ontario government of the day and partially to deliver it sooner. It was also really one of the first P3-type infrastructure projects in North America (around the same time as the Dulles Greenway), so some of the lessons learned from that first wave really weren't known yet - in retrospect, Ontario probably would have kept more control of the project, particularly in terms of tolls.

As for Highway 402, it was built substantially earlier (mostly in the 70s) and likely had limited prospect of being a viable toll road with the 401 as a toll-free, and at the time not particularly congested, alternative for the long-distance traffic it was built to serve - if there were no Blue Water Bridge crossing, there'd be no need for a London-Sarnia freeway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 25, 2016, 07:17:08 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 25, 2016, 03:38:27 PM
Some more strange things I've thought about is Highway 7's downloading and why 407 was tolled.

For one, was Highway 7 congested through Markham and Vaughan and thus needed a freeway bypass?

During construction of Highway 407, was it supposed to be tolled as a P3 and thus Cintra managed the tolls?

Was the government in debt at the time and thus needed the toll money?

It's really strange that Highway 407 isn't free and is priced very high. Highway 402 had also replaced Highway 7 and that never got tolled.
Highway 7 is a limited-access highway from somewhere to Bayview, and then it has the idiotic bus lanes.
I think the 407 was constructed as a bypass of the 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on August 25, 2016, 07:31:30 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 25, 2016, 07:17:08 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on August 25, 2016, 03:38:27 PM
Some more strange things I've thought about is Highway 7's downloading and why 407 was tolled.

For one, was Highway 7 congested through Markham and Vaughan and thus needed a freeway bypass?

During construction of Highway 407, was it supposed to be tolled as a P3 and thus Cintra managed the tolls?

Was the government in debt at the time and thus needed the toll money?

It's really strange that Highway 407 isn't free and is priced very high. Highway 402 had also replaced Highway 7 and that never got tolled.
Highway 7 is a limited-access highway from somewhere to Bayview, and then it has the idiotic bus lanes.
I think the 407 was constructed as a bypass of the 401.
Correct. Highway 407 was the replacement for Highway 7 and the bypass for Highway 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 26, 2016, 08:33:46 AM
Quick points re: 407ETR

- Highway 402 was built conventionally back in the 1970s and 80s. The transfer of the parallel sections of Highways 7 and 22 was done much later, and unrelated to tolling.
- Highway 407 was originally conceived back in the 1960s as bypass of Highway 401
- MTO owned Highway 7 between Highway 410 and Markham up until 1997. It was transferred to Peel and York Regions as practically it does not serve through traffic
- The semi-limited access portion of Highway 7 from approximately from Keele to Bayview was built in conjunction with Highway 407 preparatory work, and just provides local express routing
- Highway 407 was originally built as what was then a PPP or P-3 with the province retaining ownership
- In order to balance the 1999 budget heading into an election, the government (Mike Harris' Ontario PC party) signed a leased with the 407 consortium for $3.107 Billion (1999 dollars). The lease runs for 99 years.
- The portion between the Freeman Interchange (km 0 of the 407) and Highway 403 at Oakville (exit 24) was unbuilt at the time, and was indeed intended to become Highway 403. It was included in the lease, and opened as part of Highway 407 in 2001.
- The pricing is based on the market, and the market is quite good for the company. Based on their annual results, since 2001 it has cost road users $8.5 Billion (unadjusted for inflation). This has generated a cumulative $1.45 Billion (unadjusted) in profit for the company, with nary a cent going going into provincial coffers.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 09:33:24 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 25, 2016, 07:17:08 PM
Highway 7 is a limited-access highway from somewhere to Bayview, and then it has the idiotic bus lanes.
I think the 407 was constructed as a bypass of the 401.

The Viva Rapidway...or shall we say Snailway.

Long before Rob Ford came out of the woodwork, I was an opponent of these so called LRT/BRT plans in which the transit vehicle runs in the median mainly because of the serious alterations to roadway, and the little benefit it provides (possibly could be more of a curse than a help, I'll get to that later)

I went to a Toronto City Hall meeting back in 2007, where they had the people from the RATP (the Paris equivalent of the TTC) to push the concept of LRT. At this meeting, Joe Mihevic, the councillor who championed the St Clair project had the nerve to say I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, it seems everyone says that to me, but I'm digressing.


The initial portion of the Hwy 7 Rapidway was from the 404 to about Bayview, and I'm sure you remember how Hwy 7 looked in this stretch prior to the construction of the rapidway. Most intersections used protected-permissive left turn situations, you know, the 4 signal heads with the green/yellow arrow. As well, most, if not all intersections had RIGHT TURN LANES from Highway 7.

When the Rapidway was constructed, a bike lane was added to the roadway, while the right turn lanes were ELIMINATED. What this does, it turns the right lane into an option lane which allows for straight and right movements, and you know as well as I do, you can't make a right turn at full speed. Thus we have just two actual through lanes instead of the three we had before. If pedestrians are crossing this street, which there aren't many in suburbia, that will effectively stop flow in the right lane until the pedestrian clears the intersection.

As for left turns, every single intersection now has to have fully protected left turns for two reasons. The first reason has to do with line of sight, as now with the wider intersection, it's more difficult to see traffic coming the other way safely. The second reason is the conflict we have with the transit vehicle if a permissive left turn were allowed.

In all situations where a transit Right-Of-Way is used in Ontario, that is the Highway 7 rapidway, and the streetcar situations on the Queensway, St. Clair, and Spadina, the fully protected movement happens at the beginning of the cycle, what is known as a leading left. Because of this leading left, even if the normal straight traffic faces a green, the transit signal will have to face to a red during this time. This usually lasts about 15-20 seconds, and think about 15-20 seconds being added at every light you catch, which will usually always happen. You can see that there is almost zero benefit to the transit vehicle versus the status quo which existed before in most cases. In fact, it's possible that it now takes longer to complete the route than before, as some studies on Spadina have suggested.

I have to run now, but if you want me to post more on this topic I will.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 26, 2016, 01:20:35 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 09:33:24 AM
At this meeting, Joe Mihevic, the councillor who championed the St Clair project had the nerve to say I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, it seems everyone says that to me, but I'm digressing.
I think that's code for "we don't want to listen to your opinion because you're outside the operating paradigm/group-think".  At least, that's been the conclusion I've been developing based on my observation on just about every debate and controversy going on these days in all of society.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 26, 2016, 01:44:52 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 09:33:24 AM
As for left turns, every single intersection now has to have fully protected left turns for two reasons. The first reason has to do with line of sight, as now with the wider intersection, it's more difficult to see traffic coming the other way safely. The second reason is the conflict we have with the transit vehicle if a permissive left turn were allowed.

If Canada used the flashing yellow arrow, you could show a red arrow when a train passes through, and use the flashing yellow arrow at all other times (this is partly the reason for the development of the FYA -- part time signals). The same effect could be achieved by using LED "no left turn" displays that would only light up when a train passes through, but I'm not sure it would be as effective.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 03:24:53 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 26, 2016, 01:44:52 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 09:33:24 AM
As for left turns, every single intersection now has to have fully protected left turns for two reasons. The first reason has to do with line of sight, as now with the wider intersection, it's more difficult to see traffic coming the other way safely. The second reason is the conflict we have with the transit vehicle if a permissive left turn were allowed.

If Canada used the flashing yellow arrow, you could show a red arrow when a train passes through, and use the flashing yellow arrow at all other times (this is partly the reason for the development of the FYA -- part time signals). The same effect could be achieved by using LED "no left turn" displays that would only light up when a train passes through, but I'm not sure it would be as effective.

The issue here is with line of sight as I pointed out, you can't safely see oncoming traffic far enough to allow for a permissive-protected left turn. So a FYA wouldn't matter in this situation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 26, 2016, 06:07:44 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 03:24:53 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 26, 2016, 01:44:52 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 26, 2016, 09:33:24 AM
As for left turns, every single intersection now has to have fully protected left turns for two reasons. The first reason has to do with line of sight, as now with the wider intersection, it's more difficult to see traffic coming the other way safely. The second reason is the conflict we have with the transit vehicle if a permissive left turn were allowed.

If Canada used the flashing yellow arrow, you could show a red arrow when a train passes through, and use the flashing yellow arrow at all other times (this is partly the reason for the development of the FYA -- part time signals). The same effect could be achieved by using LED "no left turn" displays that would only light up when a train passes through, but I'm not sure it would be as effective.

The issue here is with line of sight as I pointed out, you can't safely see oncoming traffic far enough to allow for a permissive-protected left turn. So a FYA wouldn't matter in this situation.

As long as you pull forward, the sight/distance is exactly the same as with a narrow median. Then again, we're not talking about big ass walls around the railway path. This stretch of light rail in Seattle (below) runs in a median. Granted, the signals are protected lefts (more due to SDOT's traffic control department not being very innovative), but the sight/distance isn't an issue here at all. I can see several hundred feet in the other direction, and this photo isn't even taken from the left turn lane.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fls4gXkI.png&hash=1ed6f147297f725b294214248d1a29742e218281)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 26, 2016, 10:49:24 PM
yes, but at most intersections on the bus lane stretch of hwy 7, there are huge bus stops that block people's views...

How Hwy 7 looked like without bus lanes: https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8498285,-79.3583813,3a,82.9y,43.88h,78.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sCKU5gMcr9OP5FnwmkOIJcA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DCKU5gMcr9OP5FnwmkOIJcA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D61.21748%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656

And with:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8497102,-79.3582872,3a,21.1y,51.67h,88.03t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sQAgTpGuhVCO0HFN_FksCbA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DQAgTpGuhVCO0HFN_FksCbA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D79.090263%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656



Honestly thought, I missed the permissive left times of that stretch of Hwy 7...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 26, 2016, 11:06:36 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 26, 2016, 10:49:24 PM
yes, but at most intersections on the bus lane stretch of hwy 7, there are huge bus stops that block people's views...

Busways are a stickier situation, IMO. I'd imagine that the buses run much more frequently than a light-rail line would, to the point where a protected-only turn might be preferable, so that the light didn't keep switching between protected and permissive every time a bus arrived.

Regardless, I still don't think the sight lines are that bad. Like I said before, as long as you pull forward, the view is still plenty good.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 27, 2016, 02:02:22 PM
Maybe in the direction shown in the link, but in the other direction, the view is blocked by the bus stop.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 27, 2016, 07:24:35 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 27, 2016, 02:02:22 PM
Maybe in the direction shown in the link, but in the other direction, the view is blocked by the bus stop.

Hmm, doing more thought on this topic regarding "line of sight", I've noticed that it's not always consistent, regardless, this kind of phasing cannot use a FYA no matter what and I'll get to why later on when I address jakeroot.

My initial thought regarded Lake Shore Boulevard, the first three intersections east of the Humber River have SINGLE LANE fully protected lefts, here is the intersection at Lake Shore/Ellis for instance, that because such a wide median, one cannot make a left turn safely in a permissive phase so thus a fully protected left had to be implemented:

https://goo.gl/maps/JREA2VFNTs62 (https://goo.gl/maps/JREA2VFNTs62)
-And for the record, this intersection is one of the few where a LAGGING LEFT movement happens in Ontario, since this is a T intersection, a lagging left cannot cause left turning traffic to be caught in a yellow trap, so I assumed line of sight is the issue why a fully protected left is used here rather than a permissive-protected left


Similarly, in this intersection close to me in Brampton which I have discussed on another thread, although both sides have a single left turn lane, the traffic on EB Queen wishing to turn left faces a FULLY PROTECTED left turn, while the traffic on WB Queen wishing to turn left faces a PROTECTED-PERMISSIVE left turn. Similarly, I used to think that this happens because traffic coming up the hill approaching the intersection appears blind to those wishing to turn left. Perhaps this is the case, I haven't read all through OTM Book 12 in detail to know the exact specifications of when a fully protected left turn is a must.


But yet the question remains, why are turns allowed (although not in AM Rush or PM Rush) FROM University Avenue to Elm St. I mean this median looks about as wide as the one on Lake Shore, yet a left turn is allowed here, despite it being fairly dangerous in my opinion:

https://goo.gl/maps/etgBjmS7Jb52 (https://goo.gl/maps/etgBjmS7Jb52)
I mean, line of sight aside, look at the turning conflict, generally if you watch this intersection, you'll find drivers "criss-crossing" each other as they wait to left turn as you can see this minivan doing. This is potentially dangerous, yet you are allowed to turn here.

https://goo.gl/maps/8MCn75k27wR2 (https://goo.gl/maps/8MCn75k27wR2)
Similarly, as we can see, turning TO University, how are you supposed to left turn properly in this situation, you can't wait before the white line here, it's impossible, people drive all the way to turning point roughly halfway through this intersection if they want to turn left on University, again drivers will inevitably crisscross which is potentially dangerous.


The question I wonder, since Ontario gloats about having the safest roads in North America, why are these whacko movements to/from University (and to a lesser extent, some left movements onto Spadina) bur yet that Lake Shore intersection I showed earlier doesn't allow for any permissive turn?

NOW REPLYING TO JAKEROOT ABOUT FYA

There is one basic reason why you can't use a FYA situation here as well, line of sight aside.

YOU WILL ESSENTIALLY CREATE A VARIATION OF THE YELLOW TRAP!!!

Imagine that we used FYAs for a second and try to imagine this scenario:

I enter Hwy 7/Valleymede wanting to turn left and the signal is a FYA. Oncoming traffic on Hwy 7 is heavy and I cannot turn left, my FYA signal changes into a solid yellow arrow as a bus is approaching this intersection, this creates a yellow trap as oncoming traffic will still have a green and I am now stuck in the middle of the intersection potentially stopped on the path of the bus lane

I have seen some intersections with transit right-of-ways have permissive-protected lefts for regular vehicles, there is one at Queen's Quay/Dan Leckie shown below:

https://goo.gl/maps/MpnwvbPMre12 (https://goo.gl/maps/MpnwvbPMre12)

In this situation, the transit vehicle gets a phase all to itself, practically every other streetcar ROW intersection in Toronto uses the fully protected left to my knowledge.

One can easily see how this is disadvantageous to transit users, as they will have to potentially wait while traffic to the right of them gets to proceed through the green. It seems inefficient to me, to have a phase where the only thing that moves is a bus/streetcar, but that's my personal opinion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 01:15:35 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 27, 2016, 07:24:35 PM
There is one basic reason why you can't use a FYA situation here as well, line of sight aside.

YOU WILL ESSENTIALLY CREATE A VARIATION OF THE YELLOW TRAP!!!...I enter Hwy 7/Valleymede wanting to turn left and the signal is a FYA. Oncoming traffic on Hwy 7 is heavy and I cannot turn left, my FYA signal changes into a solid yellow arrow as a bus is approaching this intersection, this creates a yellow trap as oncoming traffic will still have a green and I am now stuck in the middle of the intersection potentially stopped on the path of the bus lane

That's a very good point. The only fix I can think of (off-the-cuff) is to time the pass-through of the LRT/buses to the beginning of the through phase. The left turns would see a red arrow, switching to a flashing yellow arrow following the pass-through of the LRT or bus, followed by a protected green arrow if necessary.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 01:21:00 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 27, 2016, 02:02:22 PM
Maybe in the direction shown in the link, but in the other direction, the view is blocked by the bus stop.

From the stop line. But if you pull forward, the view is good.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 27, 2016, 07:24:35 PM
https://goo.gl/maps/etgBjmS7Jb52 (https://goo.gl/maps/etgBjmS7Jb52)
I mean, line of sight aside, look at the turning conflict, generally if you watch this intersection, you'll find drivers "criss-crossing" each other as they wait to left turn as you can see this minivan doing. This is potentially dangerous, yet you are allowed to turn here.

A similar situation to that occurs at several Vancouver intersections. Some (read: very, very few) roads have wide medians, with fully permissive movements. In situations such as this, cars usually turn across each other's paths. Dangerous? I'm not so sure. It's more awkward than dangerous. Here's a video I filmed several months ago of this type of intersection (which is very similar to the intersection in your link -- please try and ignore some of the commentary; I was just rambling to fill time):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaEcOZ6brwQ
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected. I would imagine the same goes for rail lines. We don't have much in the way of narrow medians but in general you won't find a permissive left turn from the right side of the median - it has to be cut in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 07:27:38 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected.

Look across or yield to? If the former, wouldn't that eliminate any permissive left where there's two through lanes and a left turn lane?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 28, 2016, 10:10:36 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 07:27:38 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected.

Look across or yield to? If the former, wouldn't that eliminate any permissive left where there's two through lanes and a left turn lane?
Look across. If the left turn lane is opposing, you're okay. If the left turn lane is not opposing, you're not okay.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on August 29, 2016, 04:21:02 PM
I was wondering if anyone knew the names of the different segments of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario?  I have a partial list:

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 29, 2016, 05:58:51 PM
According to Travel Mapping: ON 66 is Kirkland Lake; ON 17/11 is Voyageur; ON 17A is Kenora; ON 11 is indeed Northern Ontario.

Travel Mapping using Kirkland Lake for QC 117/A-15 and Main for A-40/A-25/A-20/A-85/QC 185.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on August 30, 2016, 06:17:53 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 01:15:35 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 27, 2016, 07:24:35 PM
There is one basic reason why you can't use a FYA situation here as well, line of sight aside.

YOU WILL ESSENTIALLY CREATE A VARIATION OF THE YELLOW TRAP!!!...I enter Hwy 7/Valleymede wanting to turn left and the signal is a FYA. Oncoming traffic on Hwy 7 is heavy and I cannot turn left, my FYA signal changes into a solid yellow arrow as a bus is approaching this intersection, this creates a yellow trap as oncoming traffic will still have a green and I am now stuck in the middle of the intersection potentially stopped on the path of the bus lane

That's a very good point. The only fix I can think of (off-the-cuff) is to time the pass-through of the LRT/buses to the beginning of the through phase. The left turns would see a red arrow, switching to a flashing yellow arrow following the pass-through of the LRT or bus, followed by a protected green arrow if necessary.

And i guess that's part of the problem.  IF they are limited to only the top of the phase, buses will have to wait for the entire cycle if they even get delayed a little.  So to prioritize the mode of transit, left turners are subject to waiting the full phase and are stuck to a protected only signal.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: oscar on August 30, 2016, 07:43:08 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 29, 2016, 05:58:51 PM
According to Travel Mapping: ON 66 is Kirkland Lake; ON 17/11 is Voyageur; ON 17A is Kenora; ON 11 is indeed Northern Ontario.

Travel Mapping using Kirkland Lake for QC 117/A-15 and Main for A-40/A-25/A-20/A-85/QC 185.

TM, and its predecessor Clinched Highway Mapping, generally use city names to distinguish between different route segments within a province. No attempt to follow official names.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on August 29, 2016, 04:21:02 PM
I was wondering if anyone knew the names of the different segments of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario?  I have a partial list:


  • Hwy 17 (Nipagon-Sault Ste Marie) - Lake Superior Route
  • Hwy 17 (North Bay-east) - Ottawa Valley Route
  • Hwy 69/400 - Georgian Bay Route
  • Hwy 7/12 - Central Ontario Route
  • Hwy 11 (North Bay - Nigagon) - Northern Ontario Route (?)
  • Hwy 66 - ???
  • [Quebec] Hwy 15/117 - Laurentian Route (?)
  • Others?

Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 30, 2016, 11:48:25 AM
Quote from: mrsman on August 30, 2016, 06:17:53 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 01:15:35 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 27, 2016, 07:24:35 PM
There is one basic reason why you can't use a FYA situation here as well, line of sight aside.

YOU WILL ESSENTIALLY CREATE A VARIATION OF THE YELLOW TRAP!!!...I enter Hwy 7/Valleymede wanting to turn left and the signal is a FYA. Oncoming traffic on Hwy 7 is heavy and I cannot turn left, my FYA signal changes into a solid yellow arrow as a bus is approaching this intersection, this creates a yellow trap as oncoming traffic will still have a green and I am now stuck in the middle of the intersection potentially stopped on the path of the bus lane

That's a very good point. The only fix I can think of (off-the-cuff) is to time the pass-through of the LRT/buses to the beginning of the through phase. The left turns would see a red arrow, switching to a flashing yellow arrow following the pass-through of the LRT or bus, followed by a protected green arrow if necessary.

And i guess that's part of the problem.  IF they are limited to only the top of the phase, buses will have to wait for the entire cycle if they even get delayed a little.  So to prioritize the mode of transit, left turners are subject to waiting the full phase and are stuck to a protected only signal.

After doing a bit of research, it turns out that the NYC subway runs at a maximum of one train every two minutes, and one of Brisbane's busways operates a maximum of one bus every 12 seconds. So, there are clearly times when the permissive phase wouldn't work. But that's the beauty of the FYA: they can operate based on time-of-day (TOD). During peak hour, the permissive left turn would be skipped to allow trains or buses to continue unimpeded. But during other times, when the headways are much longer, the permissive phase could be enabled.

The only real issue (and this is a big one) is that trains and buses run in both directions, so a even if a bus or train only arrived two minutes ago, the station in the opposite direction may have not had a bus in 15 or 20 minutes (meaning that a bus or train's arrival is imminent). While I'm not certain how the rest of the country's at-grade rail or busways work, the intersections around here that have light rail crossings are 100% timed. Consequently, the signals could be timed to enable a permissive phase.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 30, 2016, 12:58:59 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected. I would imagine the same goes for rail lines. We don't have much in the way of narrow medians but in general you won't find a permissive left turn from the right side of the median - it has to be cut in.

Hang on, while I'll be honest and say I haven't spent much time in NJ, let me get one thing straight, are you saying that if there's for instance one opposing left turn lane and two regular lanes at an intersection that the intersection will need to be protected?

At what level of protection, protected-permissive or fully protected? This policy doesn't seem to make much sense if it is fully protected.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 30, 2016, 01:08:28 PM
No.  A four lane road with opposing left turn lanes would not need to be protected.
http://goo.gl/XJshcP

But any road that's wider than that (or if the left turns weren't opposing on a four lane road), the left turns would be protected.
http://goo.gl/G8nNjw

The left turns on Hwy 7 through central York Region were generally all fully protected when the MTO controlled the intersections on that section of road as well.  It wasn't until York Region assumed control of the road that they allowed permissive left turns along Hwy 7.

You can see the former intersection configuration at Bathurst Street in this 2006 photo:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/7_cl_299_east_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 30, 2016, 01:32:30 PM
Quote from: oscar on August 30, 2016, 07:43:08 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 29, 2016, 05:58:51 PM
According to Travel Mapping: ON 66 is Kirkland Lake; ON 17/11 is Voyageur; ON 17A is Kenora; ON 11 is indeed Northern Ontario.

Travel Mapping using Kirkland Lake for QC 117/A-15 and Main for A-40/A-25/A-20/A-85/QC 185.

TM, and its predecessor Clinched Highway Mapping, generally use city names to distinguish between different route segments within a province. No attempt to follow official names.
I'm guessing that's how the ones for Quebec were done, but the Ontario ones appear to use the official names.  The other official names are used as such in Travel Mapping; wouldn't they otherwise be things like "Ottawa", "Peterborough", "Fort Frances", etc.?

Quote from: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on August 29, 2016, 04:21:02 PM
I was wondering if anyone knew the names of the different segments of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario?  I have a partial list:


  • Hwy 17 (Nipagon-Sault Ste Marie) - Lake Superior Route
  • Hwy 17 (North Bay-east) - Ottawa Valley Route
  • Hwy 69/400 - Georgian Bay Route
  • Hwy 7/12 - Central Ontario Route
  • Hwy 11 (North Bay - Nigagon) - Northern Ontario Route (?)
  • Hwy 66 - ???
  • [Quebec] Hwy 15/117 - Laurentian Route (?)
  • Others?

Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!
That would violate Ontario's numbering scheme on ON 417, since the 400 series number denotes freeways, and if only done over ON 17, would probably be more confusing.  Plus Ontario and Quebec don't put the number in the shield anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 30, 2016, 02:06:45 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 30, 2016, 12:58:59 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected. I would imagine the same goes for rail lines. We don't have much in the way of narrow medians but in general you won't find a permissive left turn from the right side of the median - it has to be cut in.

Hang on, while I'll be honest and say I haven't spent much time in NJ, let me get one thing straight, are you saying that if there's for instance one opposing left turn lane and two regular lanes at an intersection that the intersection will need to be protected?

:-D I just asked this question, almost verbatim:

Quote from: jakeroot on August 28, 2016, 07:27:38 PM
Quote from: Alps on August 28, 2016, 04:52:57 PM
While we're talking about permissive lefts - New Jersey's policy is it can only cross two lanes of oncoming traffic. If you have to look across 3 or more lanes, including left-turn or right-turn bays, the turn has to be protected.

Look across or yield to? If the former, wouldn't that eliminate any permissive left where there's two through lanes and a left turn lane?

As AsphaltPlanet already said (as did Steve on the last page), the answer is "yes" if the left turn lanes are not directly opposite each other. If they are directly opposite, permissive is okay.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on August 30, 2016, 07:09:10 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!

Agreed!  But I don't think it'll ever happen.

Quote from: vdeane on August 30, 2016, 01:32:30 PM
That would violate Ontario's numbering scheme on ON 417, since the 400 series number denotes freeways, and if only done over ON 17, would probably be more confusing.  Plus Ontario and Quebec don't put the number in the shield anyways.

There are freeways/expressways that are outside the 400 series; Hwys 7/8 in Kitchener and Hwy 11 between Barrie and North Bay come to mind, so it's not impossible to have Hwys 17 & 417 combined into on route.  With Hwy 17 being downloaded east of Ottawa, Hwy 17 & 417 operate as a continuous route so I don't think it would be confusing.

As a bit of trivia, I was reading on Wikipedia that BC 97 is the longest continually numbered route within a single province at 2,081 km; if Hwy 417 and 17 were combined (and for the sake of argument, became TCH 1 or ON 1), it would be 2,151 km.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 30, 2016, 11:12:01 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on August 29, 2016, 04:21:02 PM
I was wondering if anyone knew the names of the different segments of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario?  I have a partial list:


  • Hwy 17 (Nipagon-Sault Ste Marie) - Lake Superior Route
  • Hwy 17 (North Bay-east) - Ottawa Valley Route
  • Hwy 69/400 - Georgian Bay Route
  • Hwy 7/12 - Central Ontario Route
  • Hwy 11 (North Bay - Nigagon) - Northern Ontario Route (?)
  • Hwy 66 - ???
  • [Quebec] Hwy 15/117 - Laurentian Route (?)
  • Others?

Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!

Quote from: dmuzika on August 30, 2016, 07:09:10 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!

Agreed!  But I don't think it'll ever happen.

+1. But yeah, it will never happen. If nothing else, Ontario I think should do more to sign it on BGS's (even if it makes the signs larger). The federal government should have enacted a rule about this (numbering and shield), similarly to how borders must be bilingual. The shield design should have also been standardized, like the Interstates in the US. Seriously, I've seen at least three or four different shield types for the TCH on the Prairies.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on August 31, 2016, 01:33:44 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 30, 2016, 11:12:01 PM
+1. But yeah, it will never happen. If nothing else, Ontario I think should do more to sign it on BGS's (even if it makes the signs larger). The federal government should have enacted a rule about this (numbering and shield), similarly to how borders must be bilingual. The shield design should have also been standardized, like the Interstates in the US. Seriously, I've seen at least three or four different shield types for the TCH on the Prairies.

Are you talking about the actual TCH route shield or freeway signage in terms of variations on the prairies?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 31, 2016, 01:39:33 PM
I think it's interesting how people in the western provinces are all "the TCH must be one continually signed number, it's criminal Ottawa hasn't forced the provinces to renumber routes to have it all be TCH 1", and the eastern provinces are all "meh, who cares about the TCH".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on August 31, 2016, 10:14:52 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 31, 2016, 01:39:33 PM
I think it's interesting how people in the western provinces are all "the TCH must be one continually signed number, it's criminal Ottawa hasn't forced the provinces to renumber routes to have it all be TCH 1", and the eastern provinces are all "meh, who cares about the TCH".

I think it's something to do with the fact that eastern Canada tends to have a more organized and advanced road system with freeways. I used to live in Ontario (Ottawa and Hamilton) so I can see both sides.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 31, 2016, 10:34:19 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on August 31, 2016, 10:14:52 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 31, 2016, 01:39:33 PM
I think it's interesting how people in the western provinces are all "the TCH must be one continually signed number, it's criminal Ottawa hasn't forced the provinces to renumber routes to have it all be TCH 1", and the eastern provinces are all "meh, who cares about the TCH".

I think it's something to do with the fact that eastern Canada tends to have a more organized and advanced road system with freeways. I used to live in Ontario (Ottawa and Hamilton) so I can see both sides.

It's very funny in my opinion, the so called TCH, I live in the GTA (the most populated region of Canada) and it's easily a 90 minute drive before I even see any portion of the TCH. (Hwy 12 in Orillia appears to be the closest portion of the TCH to me)

The TCH in my opinion in Ontario is treated as a glorified route, like the Niagara Region "Wine Route". Except the Wine Route is signed much better.  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on September 01, 2016, 10:01:59 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 30, 2016, 01:32:30 PM
Quote from: oscar on August 30, 2016, 07:43:08 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 29, 2016, 05:58:51 PM
According to Travel Mapping: ON 66 is Kirkland Lake; ON 17/11 is Voyageur; ON 17A is Kenora; ON 11 is indeed Northern Ontario.

Travel Mapping using Kirkland Lake for QC 117/A-15 and Main for A-40/A-25/A-20/A-85/QC 185.

TM, and its predecessor Clinched Highway Mapping, generally use city names to distinguish between different route segments within a province. No attempt to follow official names.
I'm guessing that's how the ones for Quebec were done, but the Ontario ones appear to use the official names.  The other official names are used as such in Travel Mapping; wouldn't they otherwise be things like "Ottawa", "Peterborough", "Fort Frances", etc.?

Quote from: Transportfan on August 30, 2016, 09:37:36 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on August 29, 2016, 04:21:02 PM
I was wondering if anyone knew the names of the different segments of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario?  I have a partial list:


  • Hwy 17 (Nipagon-Sault Ste Marie) - Lake Superior Route
  • Hwy 17 (North Bay-east) - Ottawa Valley Route
  • Hwy 69/400 - Georgian Bay Route
  • Hwy 7/12 - Central Ontario Route
  • Hwy 11 (North Bay - Nigagon) - Northern Ontario Route (?)
  • Hwy 66 - ???
  • [Quebec] Hwy 15/117 - Laurentian Route (?)
  • Others?

Best to have ON-17/417 as TCH-1!
That would violate Ontario's numbering scheme on ON 417, since the 400 series number denotes freeways, and if only done over ON 17, would probably be more confusing.  Plus Ontario and Quebec don't put the number in the shield anyways.

But being the TCH, there could and should be an exemption from the standard.

And since Ontario didn't even have an existing Highway 1, and the TCH mainline was built from scratch through the province, there's no excuse not to use 1.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 01, 2016, 03:07:55 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on September 01, 2016, 10:01:59 AM
But being the TCH, there could and should be an exemption from the standard.

There is nothing explicitly precluding a renumbering of Highways 17, 17A, and 417 to Highway 1. Except...

Quote from: Transportfan on September 01, 2016, 10:01:59 AM
And since Ontario didn't even have an existing Highway 1, and the TCH mainline was built from scratch through the province, there's no excuse not to use 1.

Except that:


Add in the fact that doing the same renumbering to TCH-1 in Quebec, New Bruswick, and Nova Scotia and you have a whole pile of money being spent on something that doesn't have any actual benefit at all.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the TCH often signed quite poorly in Ontario outside of the expressway system? How many people don't even know that the TCH is the TCH? That would make renumbering even more counter-productive.

Additionally, how many people even use the TCH unless they want to avoid crossing international borders? It's faster to cut through the States if going from the GTA to Winnipeg or west and the same if going from Montreal to west of Calgary.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Rothman on September 02, 2016, 08:35:12 AM
Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM
Additionally, how many people even use the TCH unless they want to avoid crossing international borders? It's faster to cut through the States if going from the GTA to Winnipeg or west and the same if going from Montreal to west of Calgary.

But... (https://goo.gl/maps/e3DMHsMhKF82)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 02, 2016, 10:34:13 AM
Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the TCH often signed quite poorly in Ontario outside of the expressway system? How many people don't even know that the TCH is the TCH? That would make renumbering even more counter-productive.

It's not well signed at all on any route, just added on assurance markers, not junctions. A handful of junction signs were added in 2014 by me unilaterally in Simcoe County, just because I figured it couldn't hurt and I could tack them onto a larger project. But overall it cannot actually be followed.

Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM

Additionally, how many people even use the TCH unless they want to avoid crossing international borders? It's faster to cut through the States if going from the GTA to Winnipeg or west and the same if going from Montreal to west of Calgary.

The number of people who actually traverse Ontario via the TCH is pretty well next to zero. Perishable goods and tourists are just about the only thing that goes via truck instead of rail. So we may have upwards of DOZENS of people on a single day!   :rolleyes:

People have been able to find their way without problem for the last several decades. It ain't broke, don't break it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: noelbotevera on September 02, 2016, 10:41:06 AM
TCH does pass through the GTA, if you count Peterborough as part of the GTA...(eh, Niagara Falls is counted as part of the GTA, and that's upwards of an hour in no traffic).

If you really want a GTA branch of the TCH, I would route it as Highway 400 to Cookstown, Highway 89 to Highway 10 in Shelburne, then Highway 10/410 to Highway 401 in Mississauga.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 02, 2016, 10:52:00 AM
neither Peterborough or Niagara Falls are considered part of the GTA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on September 02, 2016, 11:54:01 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 31, 2016, 01:39:33 PM
I think it's interesting how people in the western provinces are all "the TCH must be one continually signed number, it's criminal Ottawa hasn't forced the provinces to renumber routes to have it all be TCH 1", and the eastern provinces are all "meh, who cares about the TCH".

It's interesting.  An observation I have regarding Ontario is that, signage aside, in Northern Ontario every major road is signed as the Trans-Canada, while in Southern Ontario the Trans-Canada is largely relegated to second-tier highways and irrelevant.  I wonder if the old Interprovincial Highway 2 between Windsor and Halifax was maintained and incorporated into a branch of the Trans-Canada (specificially in Ontario) might have changed things?

Quote from: cbeach40 on September 01, 2016, 03:07:55 PM

  • It was not built from scratch. A lot of it incorporated pre-existing provincial highways that had long been known by another number

The same could be said for most other provinces.  Alberta renumbered their section from Hwy 2 to Hwy 1 and I think other prairie provinces did so as well.

Quote
  • In terms of use there is not a dedicated "mainline" route. Highway 17-17A-417 is the shortest route, by Hwy 11 is often preferred due to its more forgiving terrain and winter weather. What little "through" traffic there is often uses 11 more than 17.

Even if Hwy 11 is the preferred route due to its distance and terrain, would that ever change Hwy 17 was upgraded due to it going through more major population centres?  Hwy 17/417 is the only route that goes from Manitoba to Quebec.  If Hwy 17 was divided, would Hwy 11 still be used as a cross-country route?

Quote
  • The people who actually use the road and live and work along it refer to it by the number, not as the TCH. Changing the designation is counter to its actual use
  • Renumbering 2000+ km of highway is not a cheap proposition. In terms of changing the signage, regulations, titles, compensating businesses for expenses of changing their address, and other administrative and physical costs, is well into the millions of dollars. For something that, per point 3, actually makes navigation worse.

Add in the fact that doing the same renumbering to TCH-1 in Quebec, New Bruswick, and Nova Scotia and you have a whole pile of money being spent on something that doesn't have any actual benefit at all.

In terms of cost to the general public, how would renumbering Hwy 17 to TCH 1 compare to downloading? I can see that downloading saved MTO money, but I'm wondering if the general public still have to absorb the costs listed above.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 02, 2016, 01:40:33 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on September 02, 2016, 11:54:01 AM
Quote
  • In terms of use there is not a dedicated "mainline" route. Highway 17-17A-417 is the shortest route, by Hwy 11 is often preferred due to its more forgiving terrain and winter weather. What little "through" traffic there is often uses 11 more than 17.

Even if Hwy 11 is the preferred route due to its distance and terrain, would that ever change Hwy 17 was upgraded due to it going through more major population centres?  Hwy 17/417 is the only route that goes from Manitoba to Quebec.  If Hwy 17 was divided, would Hwy 11 still be used as a cross-country route?

Certainly lessening the grades and improving the highway would make 17 more attractive between North Bay and Nipigon in the summer months. But it still would get blasted by winter storms off of Lake Superior constantly. Time-sensitive travel would still be attracted to the more reliable Hwy 11.

Quote from: dmuzika on September 02, 2016, 11:54:01 AM
In terms of cost to the general public, how would renumbering Hwy 17 to TCH 1 compare to downloading? I can see that downloading saved MTO money, but I'm wondering if the general public still have to absorb the costs listed above.

In terms of the administrative costs of absorbing the highways, the initial gross cost was likely on par. But since then the operating cost of a municipal roadway vs a provincial highway is far lower (2-5 times less per lane-km). In terms of construction though, the benefit is far more apparent. Under provincial law, MTO can only get developers to cover the cost of improvements directly associated with the development. Whereas municipalities can both require improvements, and they collect development fees. So if you have a road like, say, Highway 7 in Peel Region, the province would only be able to get developers to pay for piecemeal improvements, while the balance is paid for out of taxpayers' pockets. Whereas with it as a municipal road, the improvements are all associated with the development along that corridor. So the net benefit to the province as a whole is definitely there.*


* - Regionally there are some places that did not benefit as much, and to that end increased payments from the province and/or re-assumption of services may be desirable. But again, we're talking about the net benefit here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 02, 2016, 03:33:30 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 02, 2016, 10:34:13 AM
Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the TCH often signed quite poorly in Ontario outside of the expressway system? How many people don't even know that the TCH is the TCH? That would make renumbering even more counter-productive.

It's not well signed at all on any route, just added on assurance markers, not junctions. A handful of junction signs were added in 2014 by me unilaterally in Simcoe County, just because I figured it couldn't hurt and I could tack them onto a larger project. But overall it cannot actually be followed.

Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM

Additionally, how many people even use the TCH unless they want to avoid crossing international borders? It's faster to cut through the States if going from the GTA to Winnipeg or west and the same if going from Montreal to west of Calgary.

The number of people who actually traverse Ontario via the TCH is pretty well next to zero. Perishable goods and tourists are just about the only thing that goes via truck instead of rail. So we may have upwards of DOZENS of people on a single day!   :rolleyes:

People have been able to find their way without problem for the last several decades. It ain't broke, don't break it.

That's what I thought and the quick look on GSV before I posted last night only showed signs in Simcoe County and on 417. Whole bunch of nothing along the TCH in Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on September 03, 2016, 05:11:18 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 02, 2016, 10:34:13 AM
Quote from: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 08:58:09 PM
If I'm not mistaken, isn't the TCH often signed quite poorly in Ontario outside of the expressway system? How many people don't even know that the TCH is the TCH? That would make renumbering even more counter-productive.

It's not well signed at all on any route, just added on assurance markers, not junctions. A handful of junction signs were added in 2014 by me unilaterally in Simcoe County, just because I figured it couldn't hurt and I could tack them onto a larger project. But overall it cannot actually be followed.

So then, any update when {3} will get a few shields once again between the Ambassador Bridge & the E. C. Row Expressway? :P  Or has it since StreetView was last there?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on September 03, 2016, 02:07:16 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 01, 2016, 03:07:55 PM

  • Renumbering 2000+ km of highway is not a cheap proposition. In terms of changing the signage, regulations, titles, compensating businesses for expenses of changing their address, and other administrative and physical costs, is well into the millions of dollars. For something that, per point 3, actually makes navigation worse.

Quote from: cbeach40 on September 02, 2016, 01:40:33 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on September 02, 2016, 11:54:01 AM
In terms of cost to the general public, how would renumbering Hwy 17 to TCH 1 compare to downloading? I can see that downloading saved MTO money, but I'm wondering if the general public still have to absorb the costs listed above.

In terms of the administrative costs of absorbing the highways, the initial gross cost was likely on par. But since then the operating cost of a municipal roadway vs a provincial highway is far lower (2-5 times less per lane-km). In terms of construction though, the benefit is far more apparent. Under provincial law, MTO can only get developers to cover the cost of improvements directly associated with the development. Whereas municipalities can both require improvements, and they collect development fees. So if you have a road like, say, Highway 7 in Peel Region, the province would only be able to get developers to pay for piecemeal improvements, while the balance is paid for out of taxpayers' pockets. Whereas with it as a municipal road, the improvements are all associated with the development along that corridor. So the net benefit to the province as a whole is definitely there.*


* - Regionally there are some places that did not benefit as much, and to that end increased payments from the province and/or re-assumption of services may be desirable. But again, we're talking about the net benefit here.

Sorry, I should clarify my question regarding cost.  You had indicated the renumbering a highway incurs costs in terms of signage, regulations, titles, address changes, etc.  My question is weren't those same costs incurred when downloading occurred?  I guess the benefit was lowered operating costs as outlined above, as opposed to nothing fundamentally changing if Hwy 17/417 was simply renumbered.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on September 04, 2016, 11:40:42 PM
Heading home from Ottawa today, I finally took the new 407 extension between Harmony Rd and the 412, so I thought I would share some photos I took. Click on the images for full-size versions.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FUIDd88g.jpg&hash=a1de1e4efc944c27b38fe7340c0093b81849fd9c) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FfssWoro.jpg&hash=f9f25dc495b39f8c452336135d72dd766dda8378) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEMEOXlj.jpg&hash=ac42a016505761bb7b5abfda6a17867dfd90bf37) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdwDhdHA.jpg&hash=26383c160a2a333adc4124b59f402e29283f6be5) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlsKoh3o.jpg&hash=21808684c4f588df2b017925d4d782f2ba71859b) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7Q7AR8U.jpg&hash=8ab9ae7d49ee555c2a6a538a1018d14c7d825699) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fxynu4Gg.jpg&hash=386943db92825fcca87e846833db90ec88652255) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrnpWNdU.jpg&hash=5f0c5f9610271d802d699fd6a73234ae7b0cdd02) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FP069YO2.jpg&hash=1ef830c273794f80e882984a965ee165a046c558) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0rSeb6X.jpg&hash=6b1f5d36bf73c8113434ddbc977e899d7767ae71) (http://i.imgur.com/UIDd88g.jpg)
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-------------

Also, I was disappointed with the current setup coming from Durham RR 3. I didn't see signage saying to continue straight onto Columbus Rd E and then make a left onto Harmony Rd to reach the 407. Also, the short stretch of Columbus Rd isn't the best for handling the extra traffic, though thankfully it will only be temporary.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 06, 2016, 12:05:46 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on September 03, 2016, 02:07:16 PM
Sorry, I should clarify my question regarding cost.  You had indicated the renumbering a highway incurs costs in terms of signage, regulations, titles, address changes, etc.  My question is weren't those same costs incurred when downloading occurred?  I guess the benefit was lowered operating costs as outlined above, as opposed to nothing fundamentally changing if Hwy 17/417 was simply renumbered.

Ontario has 13 million residents, I'm sure we could afford the cost of switching the signs, but I think the point that cbeach was trying to make was about poor return return on investment.

As was indicated above, provincial highway downloading was done as a measure to remove provincial highway expenditures from the provincial balance sheet.  It was done with little thought on how that would effect transferring the roads, and thereby changing the signs, would have on navigation for the traveling public.  While the sky hasn't fallen since the highways were downloaded, navigation wasn't improved by the transfer of highways.  In many cases, navigation is worse than it was before, as primary route numbers may have changed, and may no longer be consistent at regional boundaries, and there is now less of a hierarchy to the numbering system than there was before.

I'm sure the sky wouldn't fall if Hwy 17 was renumbered to Hwy 1 either, but it wouldn't improve navigation for anyone along the route, and could be confusing for people who choose to call the highway by its former number, or for mapping companies that aren't up to date.  As you know, there is only one road between Ontario and Manitoba, so it's number isn't of great importance as there are no other roads that it could be confused with.  If we were setting up a new route numbering system today, without having a nearly century old system ingrained in our collective minds I'd definitely agree with the merits of numbering 17 as 1.  But as you know, this isn't the case.  Renumbering Hwy 17 to Hwy 1 would look great on a map, but would offer no improvement to the route numbering system for any kind of trip along the highway.  Renumbering it so it looks better on a map would be quite frankly a waste of money.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 06, 2016, 12:09:58 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on September 04, 2016, 11:40:42 PM
Also, I was disappointed with the current setup coming from Durham RR 3. I didn't see signage saying to continue straight onto Columbus Rd E and then make a left onto Harmony Rd to reach the 407. Also, the short stretch of Columbus Rd isn't the best for handling the extra traffic, though thankfully it will only be temporary.

Agreed.  Neither Columbus or Harmony north of the 407 aren't awesome as connector roads.  There was quite a backup on Columbus Road approaching the four-way stop at Harmony yesterday afternoon.

They haven't posted any trailblazer signs for either the 412 or the 407 yet.  (There actually still aren't reassurance signs along the 412 yet either).  I'm curious to see what the end up looking like, given the uniqueness of the colour of the 407's route shield.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 06, 2016, 02:13:09 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on September 03, 2016, 02:07:16 PM
Sorry, I should clarify my question regarding cost.  You had indicated the renumbering a highway incurs costs in terms of signage, regulations, titles, address changes, etc.  My question is weren't those same costs incurred when downloading occurred?  I guess the benefit was lowered operating costs as outlined above, as opposed to nothing fundamentally changing if Hwy 17/417 was simply renumbered.

AsphaltPlanet basically said the same, but yes, the administrative costs of downloading were the same. I'd even argue higher, given how slap-dash it was done and the pile of further work it created (of course, that's what happens when political expediency trumps technical prudence). Again, long term the costs to operate and make improvements to the downloaded roads is a net savings.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on September 06, 2016, 07:12:00 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 06, 2016, 12:09:58 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on September 04, 2016, 11:40:42 PM
Also, I was disappointed with the current setup coming from Durham RR 3. I didn't see signage saying to continue straight onto Columbus Rd E and then make a left onto Harmony Rd to reach the 407. Also, the short stretch of Columbus Rd isn't the best for handling the extra traffic, though thankfully it will only be temporary.

Agreed.  Neither Columbus or Harmony north of the 407 aren't awesome as connector roads.  There was quite a backup on Columbus Road approaching the four-way stop at Harmony yesterday afternoon.

They haven't posted any trailblazer signs for either the 412 or the 407 yet.  (There actually still aren't reassurance signs along the 412 yet either).  I'm curious to see what the end up looking like, given the uniqueness of the colour of the 407's route shield.
A lot of white signs for the 407 extension and the 412 are completely blank except for the shield. I assume those are for toll information?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 06, 2016, 08:16:47 PM
^ The contractor who built that section of highway through the 412 interchange installed 407 ETR style route markers.  They were removed a few days before the highway was opened to traffic.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on September 06, 2016, 11:38:14 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 06, 2016, 08:16:47 PM
^ The contractor who built that section of highway through the 412 interchange installed 407 ETR style route markers.  They were removed a few days before the highway was opened to traffic.

Are you sure this is the same thing Alps is talking about? I noticed these large white signs on the 407 EB which were almost all blank except for the ON 407 shield (I wish I got a photo, but I was driving WB). I thought the 407 ETR markers were a different problem.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 07, 2016, 07:03:56 AM
No, I did misunderstand.

Those large white signs detailed the rolling information for the tollways, about large vehicles requiring a visible transponder and about the requirement for rear licence plates to be visible.  They say effectively the same thing as the white signs do before entering the ETR section.  They were blanked shortly before the highway was opened to traffic.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on September 07, 2016, 05:22:19 PM
An article on snow fencing/vegetation for the 402:

http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/08/30/ontario-transportation-minister-steven-del-duca-expected-to-visit-lambton-later-this-fall-ministry-spokesperson-says (http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/08/30/ontario-transportation-minister-steven-del-duca-expected-to-visit-lambton-later-this-fall-ministry-spokesperson-says)

QuoteOntario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca expected to visit Lambton later this fall, ministry spokesperson says

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton is calling on Ontario's Ministry of Transportation to consider installing snow fencing along wind-swept sections of Highway 402.

In a letter sent to Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca last week, McNaughton suggested more coniferous trees be planted along the highway to create a natural snow barrier in the long term, but in the meantime, snow fencing could be erected temporarily near the highway's fence line.

"I just thought it was a sensible thing to advocate for at this time of year,"  he said Tuesday. "This is giving the Ministry of Transportation ample opportunity to do what I think is very much a common sense approach, and that it is to construct snow fencing along areas of the 402 between London and Sarnia to stop the tragedies we've been seeing over the last number of years."

Lambton County politicians have been calling for improvements to a stretch of Highway 402 — from Forest Road west to Mandaumin Road — following a series of deadly winter pileups over the last few years.

Some of those crashes have been attributed to white-out driving conditions.

Over the last few months, the Ontario government has been beefing up its winter highway maintenance efforts in response to an eyebrow-raising auditor-general's report released last year.

That report found Ontario drivers were put at a greater risk on provincial highways between 2009 and 2014 following the launch of a new cost-cutting highway winter maintenance program.

Under that program, private-sector contractors took more time to clear major highways after storms, patrolled roads less often and used fewer pieces of equipment, according to the report.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation released an action plan last summer to improve winter maintenance along provincial highways, as well as better update drivers on current road conditions.

In February, ministry officials expanded the Track My Plow website to cover provincial highways in Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex and part of Elgin County.

Drivers are now able to go online to track the locations of GPS-equipped snowplows during the winter months before they decide whether to head out on provincial highways.

In an email Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Emmilia Kuisma said 2,600 new and replacement trees have also been planted along the Highway 402 corridor this year.

Plantings have been focused on areas prone to drifting snow and where there are gaps in existing wind breaks, she added. Some of those locations include between Mandaumin and Forest roads, and Forest and Centre roads.

While the ministry has considered temporary snow fencing along the highway, Kuisma said the project would require fencing to be installed at an appropriate setback with the permission of a "willing landowner."

"MTO has found vegetation to be more effective than fencing to reduce the effects of drifting snow, hence the focus on tree planting along the 402 corridor,"  she wrote in an email.

In addition to tree plantings, Kuisma said new winter hazard signs have been installed along the highway. The province has also expanded its anti-icing liquid incentive program, meaning contractors will be increasing the use of the liquid as a preventive measure before winter storms.

When asked about Del Duca's promised visit to the area — one he pledged a few months back — Kuisma said Del Duca will be visiting later this fall.

"I think they're listening,"  said Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Lonny Napper, who has met several times with ministry staff on the issue.

He recently met again with ministry officials at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference this month about the stretch of Highway 402 that runs through his municipality.

"They came up and showed us what they're doing,"  Napper said, noting he was shown a chart of all the highway tree-planting projects.

Ministry officials also promptly followed up with a complaint about weeds along the highway, he said, and last winter followed through on pre-treating the roads more aggressively before storms.

"As far as the road goes, they're pre-wetting it, and we seem to have a good dialogue with them."
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on September 07, 2016, 07:03:04 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 07, 2016, 07:03:56 AM
No, I did misunderstand.

Those large white signs detailed the rolling information for the tollways, about large vehicles requiring a visible transponder and about the requirement for rear licence plates to be visible.  They say effectively the same thing as the white signs do before entering the ETR section.  They were blanked shortly before the highway was opened to traffic.
So I would have had to be paying attention to the signs before the free section. :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on September 08, 2016, 10:55:04 PM
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/trans-canada-highway/ontario-raising-fee-for-vehicle-sticker-renewal-for-sixth-year/article31536444/ (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/trans-canada-highway/ontario-raising-fee-for-vehicle-sticker-renewal-for-sixth-year/article31536444/)

QuoteOntario raising vehicle sticker renewal fee, has almost doubled since 2011

For the sixth year in a row, the Ontario government is raising the fee for renewing vehicle validation stickers.

As of Sept. 1, renewal stickers in southern Ontario will cost $120 for the year, up from $108 currently. In northern Ontario, the fee rises to $60 from $54.

While a $12 increase may not seem hefty, the renewal price has almost doubled since 2011.

Sept. 1, 2011 - $74
Sept. 1, 2012 - $82
Sept. 1, 2013 - $90
Sept. 1, 2014 - $98
Sept. 1, 2015 - $108
Sept. 1, 2016 - $120
Defending the increase, the government says roads and bridges require more funds for maintenance.

"Gradual fee increases for driver and vehicle services are critical to help maintain the safe highway infrastructure that people and businesses rely on,"  says Bob Nichols, Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) spokesperson, while noting that Ontario's roads are among the safest in North America. "These investments keep Ontario highways and bridges in good repair, reduce congestion, improve safety and promote the economy."

The money from sticker renewal fees goes into general revenues, which support all government investment, including transportation infrastructure.

"Many fees, including those for driver and vehicle licences, do not allow the government to fully recover the cost of delivering services or products,"  says Nichols. "These increases will help the government recover more of these costs."

Ontario has been increasing highway infrastructure spending since 2003. The province spent $1.03-billion in 2003/2004, $1.46-billion in 2006/2007, and $2.7-billion for 2016/2017.

From 1997 until 2012 the sticker renewal fees were constant at $74 for southern Ontario, $37 for northern Ontario.

Nichols says the cost to provide driver and vehicle services in 2015/2016 was about $2-billion, and the fee increases over the years will help recover these costs.

Ontario has about 11.7 million vehicles registered, of which 7.9 million weigh less than 4,500 kilograms. This means the increase will generate more than $140-million.

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia have public insurance and the annual fee is included in an insurance fee.

Nova Scotia rates are the same as last year at $143.30 for a two-year renewal on a vehicle that weighs less than 1,000 kilograms. The price for a vehicle weighing between 1,000 and 1,500 kilograms is $176.90. For reference a Honda Civic weighs about 1,200 kilograms. In P.E.I., rates also didn't jump staying at $100 for the annual registration fee. In New Brunswick, the fee went up $4 to $61 for a vehicle weighing less than 1,000 kilograms. The price goes up every 200 kilograms. The price jumped in Alberta to $84.85 from $75.

The Ontario government says the fees will remain fixed until September of 2018. Premier Kathleen Wynne has confirmed that the next election will be held in the spring of 2018.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 11, 2016, 12:33:17 PM
Along the 401 near the 412 I noticed they put on the VMS "Sign Testing in Progress", and along that section I noticed some strange signs... (including the blank white signs)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on September 11, 2016, 12:41:19 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 11, 2016, 12:33:17 PM
Along the 401 near the 412 I noticed they put on the VMS "Sign Testing in Progress", and along that section I noticed some strange signs... (including the blank white signs)

I saw this on the new 407 extension as well. I'm guessing they have to do this for new VMS's before putting them to good use?

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlhQxTgT.jpg&hash=131e36c72cf24546146b69b9069152c52873bbf7) (http://i.imgur.com/lhQxTgT.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 06:17:12 AM
Maybe I am going to ask a question which was discussed zillion times by now... Please don't kick me too hard!
But do I get it right that there is pretty much a single 2-lane road which links east and west Canada? I am referring to 17 near Thunder Bay. Looks like I90/I94 in US is the best bypass if goind, say from Winnipeg or points west to Toronto. How does that work overall? Are there any plans or reasons to change that?..
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
Quote from: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 06:17:12 AM
Maybe I am going to ask a question which was discussed zillion times by now... Please don't kick me too hard!
But do I get it right that there is pretty much a single 2-lane road which links east and west Canada? I am referring to 17 near Thunder Bay. Looks like I90/I94 in US is the best bypass if goind, say from Winnipeg or points west to Toronto. How does that work overall? Are there any plans or reasons to change that?..

Basically there are two places in NW Ontario where there is only a 2-lane highway providing east-west connection. Those are Hwy 11/17 northeast of Thunder Bay as you mentioned, and Hwy 17 east of the Ontario-Manitoba border.

Work is underway to twin 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon to provide some redundancy, and twinning easterly from Manitoba has not yet begun but is scheduled for completion in 2020.

The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
What is the reason for low traffic? Is there not enough trade going on between QC/ON and MB/AB etc? Or things go by rail/air? Through US? Or I totally miss something?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:36:57 AM
Quote from: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
What is the reason for low traffic? Is there not enough trade going on between QC/ON and MB/AB etc? Or things go by rail/air? Through US? Or I totally miss something?

Basically, the distances are vast and the population is low. Aside from just in time delivery, it is usually more economical to ship by rail or lake freighter. Most of the traffic on 11 and 17 is intraprovincial, travelling to or between the few population centres that do exist.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kalvado on September 15, 2016, 10:39:08 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:36:57 AM
Quote from: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
What is the reason for low traffic? Is there not enough trade going on between QC/ON and MB/AB etc? Or things go by rail/air? Through US? Or I totally miss something?

Basically, the distances are vast and the population is low. Aside from just in time delivery, it is usually more economical to ship by rail or lake freighter. Most of the traffic on 11 and 17 is intraprovincial, travelling to or between the few population centres that do exist.

Looks like  lake freight is the big part I was missing, thank you! Given non-existent Erie canal activity in NY, I was a bit surprised to see upgrade plans for locks on the lakes...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on September 15, 2016, 05:05:53 PM
The Erie Canal is too small for ships, and I think the "plans" for enlarging the Seaway locks are decades old and rather vague. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on September 15, 2016, 09:39:28 PM
Given that there's a long distance between really big cities in Western Ontario, I'm really not surprised that the major highway is only a two lane road.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 26, 2016, 10:26:58 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen (though I'm sure there's very few ladies reading this), I have my only update for an Ontario road project probably for awhile (at least a year if not more):

In early September, I took a trip through Northwestern Ontario from the Manitoba border to just east of Nipigon (for obvious reasons). Thus, I have recorded some amateur footage of the 11/17 twinning projects as well as the Nipigon River Bridge, which we joked would fall down when we crossed it. Thankfully, it didn't  :-D

From Eldorado Beach Rd to ON 587 (the new alignment of ON 587 is not shown, but is complete):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfAjPfU66-c

From west of ON 628 to just west of Nipigon (I wasn't even aware of this project, so I whipped out the closest thing that could record, which was my phone. Terrible quality, but you can see what's going on):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chyw4dSt5yQ

The Nipigon River Bridge and eastern approach (the western approach is completely paved and done, but isn't used yet due to the fact the second span isn't done yet):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6dD0jgm7-4

I was really lucky and glad to get out this summer and get these. The Regina Bypass in Saskatchewan is the only other major project within 10 hours of my house, and I know it's probably about 2 days to get up to Nipigon for you guys in southern Ontario.

If anyone's wondering, I used Da Vinci Resolve 12.5 (much better than Moviemaker and it's free too). Also, if you guys have any tips on improvements, please let me know. I doubt I will be recording much in the future, but getting some feedback is always welcome.

Finally, you may post this on other forums if you like.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 27, 2016, 07:40:59 PM
They have really moved on the stretch of Hwy 11/17 east of Nelson Road.  I was last out there in 2014, and at that time, no work had yet commenced on work on that section of roadway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 28, 2016, 12:03:11 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 27, 2016, 07:40:59 PM
They have really moved on the stretch of Hwy 11/17 east of Nelson Road.  I was last out there in 2014, and at that time, no work had yet commenced on work on that section of roadway.

Yeah, and we were already on the new alignment (the old road is visible in the video). I'm not sure if they're planning on using part of the old highway, or constructing a new one, but it looks they're on time to hopefully finish by the end of next year if they keep moving at a good pace.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 28, 2016, 07:30:05 AM
^ Looked to me like they are just updating the old road.  From my observations, the MTO tends to use the opportunity to replace culverts and what not on the old road when they twin a highway.  Off the top of my head too, I believe the new road is being built to a 120km/h design speed, while the old road probably was only built to 110.  From the looks of things, the MTO may be making the necessary adjustments to the old road to upgrade it's design speed as well.

I am somewhat surprised that they aren't more advanced on the third tower for the southern half of the new Nipigon River bridge.  I'd have figured that would have been more advanced by now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on September 28, 2016, 10:27:12 AM
I was actually on Hwy. 17 between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, including the sections being twinned, probably just a few days before SignGeek101.  I noticed that in most cases the new carriageway was being placed directly on top of crushed rock embankments, with no apparent attempt to provide soil cover up to the back edges of the shoulders, and I wondered if that had to do with the severe winters.

There is also special signing connected to Terry Fox that I wish I had stopped to photograph.  There is a major Lake Superior overlook dedicated to him just east of Thunder Bay that includes restrooms and a tourist information center, but there is also a sign for Mile 3,339 which I have looked for in StreetView without success since I don't have an exact latitude and longitude.  Most of the Terry Fox signs use a symbol showing a runner from the front, emerging out of a circle, which makes it less than obvious that one of the legs is artificial.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Brandon on September 28, 2016, 03:12:25 PM
Quote from: kalvado on September 15, 2016, 10:39:08 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:36:57 AM
Quote from: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
What is the reason for low traffic? Is there not enough trade going on between QC/ON and MB/AB etc? Or things go by rail/air? Through US? Or I totally miss something?

Basically, the distances are vast and the population is low. Aside from just in time delivery, it is usually more economical to ship by rail or lake freighter. Most of the traffic on 11 and 17 is intraprovincial, travelling to or between the few population centres that do exist.

Looks like  lake freight is the big part I was missing, thank you! Given non-existent Erie canal activity in NY, I was a bit surprised to see upgrade plans for locks on the lakes...

There's a lot of shipping between cities on the Lakes.  Chicago and Detroit, for example, are destinations for iron ore mined in the Mesabi and Marquette Ranges, with the former shipped out of Duluth.  Then we do get salties that come in/go out the Seaway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 28, 2016, 04:17:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 28, 2016, 03:12:25 PM
Quote from: kalvado on September 15, 2016, 10:39:08 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:36:57 AM
Quote from: kalvado on September 14, 2016, 09:28:01 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 14, 2016, 09:14:03 AM
The reason why there isn't a more substantial road comes down to the simple fact that it's the middle of nowhere and there's next to no traffic on those roads.
What is the reason for low traffic? Is there not enough trade going on between QC/ON and MB/AB etc? Or things go by rail/air? Through US? Or I totally miss something?

Basically, the distances are vast and the population is low. Aside from just in time delivery, it is usually more economical to ship by rail or lake freighter. Most of the traffic on 11 and 17 is intraprovincial, travelling to or between the few population centres that do exist.

Looks like  lake freight is the big part I was missing, thank you! Given non-existent Erie canal activity in NY, I was a bit surprised to see upgrade plans for locks on the lakes...

There's a lot of shipping between cities on the Lakes.  Chicago and Detroit, for example, are destinations for iron ore mined in the Mesabi and Marquette Ranges, with the former shipped out of Duluth.  Then we do get salties that come in/go out the Seaway.

That and the Erie Canal became irrelevant with the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway. Lake freight traffic is quite substantial.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 28, 2016, 09:49:28 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 28, 2016, 10:27:12 AM
I was actually on Hwy. 17 between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, including the sections being twinned, probably just a few days before SignGeek101.  I noticed that in most cases the new carriageway was being placed directly on top of crushed rock embankments, with no apparent attempt to provide soil cover up to the back edges of the shoulders, and I wondered if that had to do with the severe winters.

I think this generally has to do with the geological conditions of much of northern Ontario.  Along the northshore of both Lake Superior and Lake Huron, there is shallow bedrock, and very little clay on the topsoil that does exist.  Many sections of both Hwy 11 and Hwy 69 are also built on blast rock.

While it does work for highway construction, the lack of a soil cover can pose problems when transport trucks run off the road and spill either their liquid cargo, or fuel.  Because of the porous nature of the blast rock, recovery of the spilled fluid can pose problems.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on September 28, 2016, 10:49:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 28, 2016, 07:30:05 AM
I am somewhat surprised that they aren't more advanced on the third tower for the southern half of the new Nipigon River bridge.  I'd have figured that would have been more advanced by now.

I'm guessing it has something to do with the failure last winter. Perhaps they were delayed quite a bit while the whole structure was checked by engineers (and maybe construction halted). Hopefully they still get done before the end of next year.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on September 29, 2016, 02:38:09 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 28, 2016, 09:49:28 PMI think this generally has to do with the geological conditions of much of northern Ontario.  Along the northshore of both Lake Superior and Lake Huron, there is shallow bedrock, and very little clay on the topsoil that does exist.  Many sections of both Hwy 11 and Hwy 69 are also built on blast rock.

While it does work for highway construction, the lack of a soil cover can pose problems when transport trucks run off the road and spill either their liquid cargo, or fuel.  Because of the porous nature of the blast rock, recovery of the spilled fluid can pose problems.

I was actually wondering myself about this problem, as well as the possibility of subsidence due to meltwater percolating down, refreezing, and breaking larger stones into smaller ones that collectively take up less volume.

In regard to Terry Fox, I have found Mile 3,339 at last:

Mile 3,339 signs on Hwy. 17 (actual monument, and tourist inspecting it, just off north side of the road, to the left) (https://www.google.com/maps/@48.5177325,-89.0178311,3a,75y,56.54h,85.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sk2zd461RLEHOb2-rPxFBIg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

The StreetView imagery dates from 2012, when this part of Hwy. 17 was still in the process of being twinned through the addition of a new carriageway on the north side (preliminary site clearance is evident as thinned forest cover on that side).  The 2012 signs have the runner-in-circle symbol on white and state explicitly that this site is where the Marathon of Hope ended.  I don't think the current signs carbon-copy them; I do remember clearly that they have the runner-in-circle on blue, and I think they were also square in format and said just "Mile 3,339."

MTO's plan to remove the wooden monument to the left (as part of the twinning works) evidently caused much heartache locally in 2011.  It was eventually donated to a museum to complement other Terry Fox memorabilia in its collection.  (Sources:  1 (http://www.northernontario.travel/thunder-bay/mileage-3339-adds-to-legend-of-terry-fox), 2 (https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/saving-mile-3339-388016), 3 (http://themuseum.ca/mile-marker-terry-fox%E2%80%99s-marathon-hope-added-terry-fox-running-heart-canada), 4 (https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC122QY_mile-3339?guid=666d2a12-b4b9-416c-b00e-0f6450afc4e6).)

Quote from: Brandon on September 28, 2016, 03:12:25 PMThere's a lot of shipping between cities on the Lakes.  Chicago and Detroit, for example, are destinations for iron ore mined in the Mesabi and Marquette Ranges, with the former shipped out of Duluth.  Then we do get salties that come in/go out the Seaway.

Quote from: cl94 on September 28, 2016, 04:17:45 PMThat and the Erie Canal became irrelevant with the opening of the St Lawrence Seaway. Lake freight traffic is quite substantial.

There is an exhibit panel at the Soo Locks visitor center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, which gives the comparative unit energy costs of shipping loads by lake freighter, railroad, and highway.  I wish I had photographed it, but I recall that the cost by freighter was a small fraction of that by rail, which in turn is somewhat smaller than highway.

Lake Superior navigation shuts down from mid-January to late March, so I suspect rail freight picks up some of the demand for bulk transport during those months.  Most of the small towns on the north side of Lake Superior actually got their start as Canadian Pacific Railway towns--in 1930, there was no long-distance motorable road anywhere from about Harmony Beach (a few dozen miles north of Soo) to what is now Thunder Bay, and the last link of Hwy. 17 through Lake Superior Provincial Park was apparently also the final link of the Trans-Canada to be completed (works begun 1957, road opened September 1960).

The Soo Locks can handle lakers of up to 1000 feet, but I understand shipping companies now favor Seawaymax for new construction for flexibility.  The one ship I saw actually going through the locks (the Canadian-registered lake freighter Thunder Bay) is Seaway-capable.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 30, 2016, 09:15:18 AM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 29, 2016, 02:38:09 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 28, 2016, 09:49:28 PMI think this generally has to do with the geological conditions of much of northern Ontario.  Along the northshore of both Lake Superior and Lake Huron, there is shallow bedrock, and very little clay on the topsoil that does exist.  Many sections of both Hwy 11 and Hwy 69 are also built on blast rock.

While it does work for highway construction, the lack of a soil cover can pose problems when transport trucks run off the road and spill either their liquid cargo, or fuel.  Because of the porous nature of the blast rock, recovery of the spilled fluid can pose problems.

I was actually wondering myself about this problem, as well as the possibility of subsidence due to meltwater percolating down, refreezing, and breaking larger stones into smaller ones that collectively take up less volume.

The Canadian Shield, and the blast rock it produces for highway construction are generally comprised of igneous rock such as granite.  Because the rock is so hard, I don't it is particularly susceptible from damage due to water infiltration into the road base.

Of much greater concern would probably be soils with low bearing pressure.  Northern Ontario has considerable deposits of muskeg, which is notoriously poor material for building things on.  Material such as this would have a much greater effect on highway settlement than freeze-thaw cycles within the blast rock.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 06, 2016, 09:55:21 PM
A few new photos of the construction on Highway 400 at the Highway 9 interchange north of the GTA.  Construction is underway to widen the 400 through the Highway 9 interchange which has necessitated the replacement of the structure and interchange ramps.

Looking southerly along Highway 400 from the Carpool lot within the SW quadrant of the interchange.  Grading and some paving for the widened southbound platform has been completed.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_54-8_south_SB_Sep16.jpg&hash=bfc026e148a0ee704c7000aaea0b9df4dcfe5ebf)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-8_south_SB_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-8_south_SB_Sep16_24x16.jpg

Zoomed out northerly view from the Carpool lot towards the Highway 9 overpass.  Grading for the new northbound loop ramp is visible.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_54-9_north_w_Sep16.jpg&hash=107813589a6f34e8a7425e1d87f961aa26f1f134)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-9_north_w_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-9_north_w_Sep16_24x16.jpg

Close-up of the construction of the new structure.  At this point, only the central pier and abutments for the new bridge are visible.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_cl_54-9_north_t_Sep16.jpg&hash=e1c8b389d95c3219ff603da395e943c1390ec182)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-9_north_t_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_cl_54-9_north_t_Sep16_24x16.jpg

Southerly view at the southbound off-ramp to Highway 9 from the 400.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_dv_55_south_Sep16.jpg&hash=b01adfd4a546626d7801a6c6177d9a80b4a8b121)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_dv_55_south_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_dv_55_south_Sep16_24x16.jpg

Southbound advanced view approaching the Highway 9 interchange.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_dv_55-25_south_Sep16.jpg&hash=3a016d464dd630e79bec1a94e86b0f45a85b2176)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_dv_55-25_south_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_dv_55-25_south_Sep16_24x16.jpg

View looking easterly along the Canal Bank Road towards the Highway 400 overpass.  These twin structures are being replaced as part of the Highway 9 construction project.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2004%2F2016%2F09-Sep%2F400_structure_55-25_east_Sep16.jpg&hash=e81d18c9310c130b9c6552d509e7f0f49b1718fc)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_structure_55-25_east_Sep16_lg.jpg
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/Contracts/2015-2004/2016/09-Sep/400_structure_55-25_east_Sep16_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 13, 2016, 11:09:02 AM
New signs for the Hwy 64 interchange on Hwy 69.  This interchange opened earlier this year:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_dv_167_north_Sep16.jpg&hash=6bbb4bfa6184a44aad140fbff51d51dc88041387)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_dv_169_north_Sep16.jpg&hash=e88b9ab4958120dd0825136f5614e81e29ab5e65)

The full size versions are up on my website:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on October 25, 2016, 02:28:55 PM
Video showing the entire 407, west to east, including the new extension.

Optional: put annotations on for info

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on October 27, 2016, 12:23:57 PM
...And as a natural sequel, a tour of Highway 412.

Put annotations on if you'd like some info. If not, sit back and enjoy the drive.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 27, 2016, 12:34:52 PM
I'm probably going to try and find an excuse to get up to drive the new sections of 407 and 412 around American Thanksgiving. "Clinching roads" is an acceptable explanation for the customs officers, right?  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on October 27, 2016, 01:43:10 PM
Quote from: cl94 on October 27, 2016, 12:34:52 PM
I'm probably going to try and find an excuse to get up to drive the new sections of 407 and 412 around American Thanksgiving. "Clinching roads" is an acceptable explanation for the customs officers, right?  :-D

It's a nice drive, although it might be snow covered by late November.

You have until the end of the year to check it out for free.

That's why I decided to do the full 407 tour now. Nice Autumn colours, and I don't need to pay as much to drive the whole thing.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 27, 2016, 02:24:48 PM
Quote from: haljackey on October 27, 2016, 01:43:10 PM
Quote from: cl94 on October 27, 2016, 12:34:52 PM
I'm probably going to try and find an excuse to get up to drive the new sections of 407 and 412 around American Thanksgiving. "Clinching roads" is an acceptable explanation for the customs officers, right?  :-D

It's a nice drive, although it might be snow covered by late November.

You have until the end of the year to check it out for free.

That's why I decided to do the full 407 tour now. Nice Autumn colours, and I don't need to pay as much to drive the whole thing.

I unfortunately can't get out that far until I'm in Buffalo for Thanksgiving. Granted, where I am is already snow covered, so not like I'm worried about that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
At the end of September, I took a drive up from the GTA into northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec to have a look at the early fall colours.  I took some photos and shot a couple of videos of my drive.

This is the first of such videos, taken at the northern end of Hwy 400 and the start of Hwy 69.  Hwy 69 is somewhat of an interesting highway, so I really wanted to record it on video before it's all twinned.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: US 41 on October 30, 2016, 02:54:02 PM
They're repaving quite a bit of ON 11 west of Kapuskasing. I ran into a long section of construction through there 3 weeks ago.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 03:35:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
At the end of September, I took a drive up from the GTA into northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec to have a look at the early fall colours.  I took some photos and shot a couple of videos of my drive.

This is the first of such videos, taken at the northern end of Hwy 400 and the start of Hwy 69.  Hwy 69 is somewhat of an interesting highway, so I really wanted to record it on video before it's all twinned.



Don't know if it's just me, but the video doesn't play. It gives an error.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 03:49:56 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 03:35:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
At the end of September, I took a drive up from the GTA into northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec to have a look at the early fall colours.  I took some photos and shot a couple of videos of my drive.

This is the first of such videos, taken at the northern end of Hwy 400 and the start of Hwy 69.  Hwy 69 is somewhat of an interesting highway, so I really wanted to record it on video before it's all twinned.

Don't know if it's just me, but the video doesn't play. It gives an error.

I updated the original post, so it should work now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 08:12:30 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 03:49:56 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 03:35:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
At the end of September, I took a drive up from the GTA into northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec to have a look at the early fall colours.  I took some photos and shot a couple of videos of my drive.

This is the first of such videos, taken at the northern end of Hwy 400 and the start of Hwy 69.  Hwy 69 is somewhat of an interesting highway, so I really wanted to record it on video before it's all twinned.

Don't know if it's just me, but the video doesn't play. It gives an error.

I updated the original post, so it should work now.

Saw the video. Nice work on the signs. Did you manage to get the part under construction? I know it only started in January, but surely there is some measurable progress that has been made.

I also wonder why Ontario doesn't extend ON 400 north at the same time as twinning ON 69 south, in order to speed up completion. I know contracts were awarded with certain dates, but it just makes more sense I think.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 09:57:45 PM
I got some of the section that is under construction, but I didn't film any of the new four lane sections approaching Sudbury.  I typically go up to Sudbury a couple of times a year, so I could see myself filming the newly four laned sections in the future.

Before the Nobel by-pass opened, MTO was building both from the south and north ends simultaneously.  Since then though, they have only been extending the highway from the Sudbury end.  Hwy 69 does pass through some first nations lands not too far north of Nobel, so it's possible that first nations negotiations have slowed things down a bit.  Though, it's entirely possible there is another reason as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: tdindy88 on October 30, 2016, 11:05:10 PM
I do have a question about Ontario signs that I have been wanting to know about. When going along your freeway system this past summer I saw that there were exit number tabs (above the sign on the right side) on the highway signs approaching the exit (I would guess the 1/2 km or 1 km approach) but when you got to the exit there was no exit tab for that exit, and sometimes the next exit down the road (if two guide signs were posted at that exit on a truss.) There is a exit number posted in the gore point of the exit. I noticed this pattern was consistent throughout Ontario and was curious to know why?

In Quebec all signage at every exit included the exit number (inside the sign) along with an exit number sign at the gore and just about all interstates in the U.S post exit number tabs on all guide signs, California being the main exception. It was for that reason I thought that Toronto highways reminded me of California.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on October 31, 2016, 10:09:50 AM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 08:12:30 PM
Saw the video. Nice work on the signs. Did you manage to get the part under construction? I know it only started in January, but surely there is some measurable progress that has been made.

There's been quite a bit of blasting and clearing, especially north of the French River. But at this point it doesn't really look like much.

Quote from: SignGeek101 on October 30, 2016, 08:12:30 PM
I also wonder why Ontario doesn't extend ON 400 north at the same time as twinning ON 69 south, in order to speed up completion. I know contracts were awarded with certain dates, but it just makes more sense I think.

They were for a while there, having extended 400 northerly from Waubaushene as part of this initiative while 69 continues to grow southerly. Work to begin running from the southern end again should resume shortly.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 01, 2016, 12:41:43 AM
Did the Gardiner Expressway recently gain exit numbers?!?! (https://www.openstreetmap.org/changeset/43291233)  If so, anybody have pictures yet?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on November 01, 2016, 10:43:55 AM
Yes it was installed in the weekend of October 22-23.

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=af71df79b2df6410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&nrkey=70FD2B951F27B7EA852580590044E3D1&start=1&count=30&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This is reportedly the exit numbering system:

141 - Kipling Ave
142 - Islington Ave
143* - Park Lawn Road
145* - Lake Shore Blvd
146* - South Kingsway
149 - Jameson Ave
153 - Spadina Ave
154 - Yonge/Bay/York Sts
155 - Jarvis St
157 - Lake Shore Blvd

* denotes assumed number

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYAO4XnJ.jpg&hash=e254eaecc6c8b22691c36631d41637a18bfc8835)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on November 01, 2016, 03:23:56 PM
The Exits numbers for Kipling Ave and Islington Ave reflected the old exit number back when that gap was part of the QEW before the big downloading of 1997 and interesting then they continue the QEW exit numbering scheme down to Lake Shore Blvd.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 01, 2016, 08:55:00 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on October 30, 2016, 11:05:10 PM
I do have a question about Ontario signs that I have been wanting to know about. When going along your freeway system this past summer I saw that there were exit number tabs (above the sign on the right side) on the highway signs approaching the exit (I would guess the 1/2 km or 1 km approach) but when you got to the exit there was no exit tab for that exit, and sometimes the next exit down the road (if two guide signs were posted at that exit on a truss.) There is a exit number posted in the gore point of the exit. I noticed this pattern was consistent throughout Ontario and was curious to know why?

Yes, that is standard I believe. Maybe the MTO thinks that posting an exit tab on a sign which is right beside the gore is redundant? Not really sure.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 03, 2016, 08:41:46 AM
Hope more pictures of the new exit numbers surface then. :)  I'd love to see them all before I update the file for the route on TravelMapping. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on November 03, 2016, 01:53:01 PM
Here's some I took:

The advance sign on Gardiner WB approaching Jarvis:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2FIMG_2814_zpsobroxafc.jpg&hash=c49007569dd0ddf7e1ea7c912a81dec6a3047d2d)

As the Gardiner doesn't have the same kind of gore signs as the 400 series highways, in many cases, none at all. They display the exit number at the actual exit as well on the "exit only" signs.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2FIMG_2817_zpsarylbrjs.jpg&hash=c993569caf728b8757c18abd7458587950a541b9)

As for what tdindy88 was saying, I believe I recall reading in OTM Book 6 that they explicitly mention to not put exit tabs on the "turn off signs" which I like to call the "exit only" signs. I think it's quite silly myself because I know every other province at least east of here puts exit tabs at the turn offs as well as the entire US as required by MUTCD.


An anomaly which I didn't get a picture of, but when I drove on the Gardiner the Monday right after they were installed, the Spadina exit on EB Gardiner had absolutely nothing except the exit number, no BGSs at all, just the exit number attached to the butterfly gantry. Now there's a temporary small Spadina sign at that exit.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on November 03, 2016, 05:43:19 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2016, 11:40:01 AM
At the end of September, I took a drive up from the GTA into northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec to have a look at the early fall colours.  I took some photos and shot a couple of videos of my drive.

I'm surprised you didn't shoot the whole section north from Waubashene. There's no good vids of that stretch on YT except two filmed in crummy weather and time lapsed too fast.

It would be cool to see a southbound vid of the Waubashene-Parry Sound section on a Sunday evening in the summer.   
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 03, 2016, 11:57:30 PM
This is just crazy.  Never thought I'd see the day that the entire length of the Gardiner would have exit numbers posted. :nod:

Now, I wonder if Toronto will do the same with the DVP continuing the {404} scheme. :awesomeface:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on November 23, 2016, 01:19:44 PM
The QEW-Seventh St interchange has re-opened, with a brand new structure and roundabouts at the ramp terminals.

EDITED

With these two new roundabouts, plus the one that just opened a recently at Hwy 7 and Perth Line 20, MTO now has 17 of them in operation. Another 4 are currently in construction, with dozens more being planned and considered province-wide.

Not bad considering that just 9 years ago they had zero.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 05, 2016, 02:27:20 PM
Some new photos of Highway 401 through Cobourg.  Work is ongoing to widen a short section of the highway to six lanes:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_dv_473_east_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=12c5e13bca739294a6f00f0eee16ccc3ddfea036)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_dv_474_east_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=d310c14de2d316106a31388374af4098b8815d44)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_dv_474-25_east_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=bb0130338f3c43a45442fbda99df74ec78ef27ae)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_cl_474_west_WB_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=3c12cc1e36da29ec4ebd3799d567f23fdc3cabcc)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_cl_474_east_EB_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=6b617379a392a99962ceac94a31b50b1859b0e0f)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_dv_475_east_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=cf41fb83df06b57c0c856307009e17f98d0047f7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_cl_476_west_t_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=4d679d8b19c26cdc4644fc5c878d9211ee4e3fd7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_cl_476_east_t_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=f27190adff71389d0dc2c889f35dc5f94aff2e20)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on December 05, 2016, 10:36:17 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 05, 2016, 02:27:20 PM
Some new photos of Highway 401 through Cobourg.  Work is ongoing to widen a short section of the highway to six lanes:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-4032%2F2016%2F401_dv_474_east_Dec16_forum.jpg&hash=d310c14de2d316106a31388374af4098b8815d44)

Did Ontario recently start to use blue km markers along its non tolled freeways? I only remember seeing green and brown (in provincial parks such as Algonquin).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 06, 2016, 01:20:12 PM
^ It's just a signage error.  One of a few on this project.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 04, 2017, 11:57:48 AM
Apparently, the tolls on ON 407 and 412 won't start until February. I thought they were to come into effect in January, but I guess this has been pushed back again.

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7047660-tolls-on-407-in-durham-starting-in-february/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on January 04, 2017, 04:23:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on January 04, 2017, 11:57:48 AM
Apparently, the tolls on ON 407 and 412 won't start until February. I thought they were to come into effect in January, but I guess this has been pushed back again.

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7047660-tolls-on-407-in-durham-starting-in-february/

I wonder if they'll pushed back again? ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on January 04, 2017, 05:36:12 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on January 04, 2017, 04:23:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on January 04, 2017, 11:57:48 AM
Apparently, the tolls on ON 407 and 412 won't start until February. I thought they were to come into effect in January, but I guess this has been pushed back again.

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7047660-tolls-on-407-in-durham-starting-in-february/

I wonder if they'll pushed back again? ;)

I wonder if they'll be pushed back indefinitely?  :bigass:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on January 04, 2017, 05:54:27 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on January 04, 2017, 05:36:12 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on January 04, 2017, 04:23:21 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on January 04, 2017, 11:57:48 AM
Apparently, the tolls on ON 407 and 412 won't start until February. I thought they were to come into effect in January, but I guess this has been pushed back again.

http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7047660-tolls-on-407-in-durham-starting-in-february/

I wonder if they'll pushed back again? ;)

I wonder if they'll be pushed back indefinitely?  :bigass:

I think they are adamant on doing it now....I took one final ride before tolls go into effect and took these pics of the VMS:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FIMG_3114_zpsm9rdzl7k.jpg&hash=bb7810071bbaba30af27348304855bcd6f96c4ab)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg313%2FMrSG-1%2FIMG_3115_zpsfsp3on6i.jpg&hash=8bb41a870c0821aaf871a7e1dfa449dbd8c0308a)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Thunderbyrd316 on January 08, 2017, 10:14:32 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 13, 2016, 11:09:02 AM
New signs for the Hwy 64 interchange on Hwy 69.  This interchange opened earlier this year:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_dv_167_north_Sep16.jpg&hash=6bbb4bfa6184a44aad140fbff51d51dc88041387)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_dv_169_north_Sep16.jpg&hash=e88b9ab4958120dd0825136f5614e81e29ab5e65)

The full size versions are up on my website:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/Hwy69_p4_images.htm

I notice that those guide signs are not in Clearview. Has Ontario followed the U.S. in ditching Clearview? (I never really cared for it myself. I much prefer traditional FHWA fonts.)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cu2010 on January 08, 2017, 10:31:41 AM
MTO never really used Clearview to begin with.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 08, 2017, 11:16:37 AM
From what I've seen so far in real life and on Streetview, no province that uses Clearview has switched back to FHWA. Ontario ran a trial test for Clearview several years ago and I guess decided it wasn't worth it. In fact, some of the trial version signs (a couple of which are on the QEW) have been replaced back into FHWA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 08, 2017, 12:00:34 PM
Some photos of the Highway 7/8 widening project that was completed in Kitchener last fall.  These photos were taken in August, before construction was 100% finished.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_184_west_c_Aug16.jpg&hash=9908bbbdd6d8111274c47b0fa73e0a1e5075815b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_184_east_c_Aug16.jpg&hash=95943efb26bb1cb726518451fe4bb37b2ec92955)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_184_west_Aug16.jpg&hash=97142a47ac50095296e71856ab015b067aff387b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_184-5_east_Aug16.jpg&hash=737120e19c3c93e660b16231f64ce46976958f93)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_185-5_east_Aug16.jpg&hash=203dda789939b3cc44277cf2670583ab03cf9b59)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_186_west_WB_Aug16.jpg&hash=96135c1be2640c5490d6c5d83895135d91ebc82b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_cl_186_east_Aug16.jpg&hash=dec37631cee49cdf2d0523aa8a64ec6f0888d47c)

The entire set can be found here:
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/Hwy7_p1c_images.htm
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 08, 2017, 09:36:36 PM
Nice pictures  :)

The ON 7/8 corridor reminds me of that new freeway being built between K/W to Guelph. I don't have any of their reports or any info, and there is no satellite imagery indicating anything (from what I can see, assuming I have the right location). Does anyone know the status about this project?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 09, 2017, 09:37:56 AM
^ Nothing significant has really happened on the Highway 7 New project.  A contract was called to replace the Victoria Street bridge over Highway 7/85 which will support the future configuration for the new four level interchange, but I don't think work will start there until the spring.  I'm mot sure when actual work on the project is expected to commence.  I've read 2018, but I've been told 2017, so hopefully sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Thunderbyrd316 on January 17, 2017, 11:46:10 AM
Quote from: cu2010 on January 08, 2017, 10:31:41 AM
MTO never really used Clearview to begin with.

I thought I had recalled seeing quite a bit during my "cruising" around Ontario on Google Street View (via ClassyGMaps) but perhaps I was mistaken.

(Update, a couple of minutes later): I just now went around to a few random sections of freeway in Ontario on GSV (via ClassyGMaps) and indeed it appears my original recollection may have been wrong. I saw no indication of the use of "Clearview", past or present.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on January 17, 2017, 12:56:09 PM
Quote from: Thunderbyrd316 on January 17, 2017, 11:46:10 AM
Quote from: cu2010 on January 08, 2017, 10:31:41 AM
MTO never really used Clearview to begin with.

I thought I had recalled seeing quite a bit during my "cruising" around Ontario on Google Street View (via ClassyGMaps) but perhaps I was mistaken.

(Update, a couple of minutes later): I just now went around to a few random sections of freeway in Ontario on GSV (via ClassyGMaps) and indeed it appears my original recollection may have been wrong. I saw no indication of the use of "Clearview", past or present.

Below:

Quote from: SignGeek101 on January 08, 2017, 11:16:37 AM
Ontario ran a trial test for Clearview several years ago and I guess decided it wasn't worth it. In fact, some of the trial version signs (a couple of which are on the QEW) have been replaced back into FHWA.

Here is an example of provincially installed Clearview:

https://goo.gl/maps/hX7H5QCzkFN2

This sign used to be Clearview, but has since been replaced back into FHWA as the gantry was replaced (check the older Streetview imagery):

https://goo.gl/maps/Av6FwQYnXYN2
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 24, 2017, 03:41:35 PM
Kingston-area: Further widening of Highway 401, another river crossing still in the works

http://www.thewhig.com/2017/01/22/highway-401-upgrades-wont-affect-third-crossing-plans-politician
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 05, 2017, 10:58:06 AM
I don't usually post local videos here, but this is probably the best one I've done...

Video of the 401 west through the GTA to the 400 and into Vaughan:

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on February 10, 2017, 04:19:33 PM
I'm surprised the MTO hasn't put lighting though Whitby yet.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 10, 2017, 06:29:17 PM
I'd imagine that lighting will get installed when they finally widen the highway through Whitby.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on February 12, 2017, 12:37:58 PM
This is interesting:

http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/bold-new-plan-to-improve-traffic-in-south-barrie-1.3258856

I'm not sure how warm the concept of DDI is with the MTO, but the idea is being thrown around.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 12, 2017, 04:09:14 PM
It would definitely improve traffic flow.  Mapleview Drive is a disaster.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 13, 2017, 09:50:08 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 10, 2017, 06:29:17 PM
I'd imagine that lighting will get installed when they finally widen the highway through Whitby.

Last I heard that is the plan.

Continuous lighting is an enormous undertaking to retrofit on its own, hence why it is almost always installed in conjunction with capital construction.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on February 13, 2017, 10:35:33 AM
But I would have thought it would have been lit decades ago.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 13, 2017, 03:49:03 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on February 13, 2017, 10:35:33 AM
But I would have thought it would have been lit decades ago.

The last full scale rebuild of that section was in 1977. It's had some resurfacing since then and the box beam median was replaced with temporary concrete barriers in 2005, but really only surface-level works. When it next gets a full depth rebuild (which at 40 years old is presumably soon) then the opportunity will present itself.

So by the time MTO started continuous lighting systems in earnest it was too new to get it. So by virtue of that it's one of the last to get it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 08, 2017, 09:28:13 PM
Video of the 403 through Hamilton:

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on March 15, 2017, 09:09:17 PM
http://www.infrastructureontario.ca/Financial-Close-Highway-427-Expansion/

QuoteContract Awarded for Highway 427 Expansion Project
March 14, 2017
Project will provide an enhanced freeway route into York Region

TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced today that LINK 427 has signed a fixed-priced contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Highway 427 expansion project.

The contract value of the Highway 427 expansion project is approximately $616M, which reflects payments to be made during construction, the substantial completion payment and the monthly service payments before inflation adjustments. Ongoing maintenance and repairs will ensure Highway 427 is kept in good condition over the contract term.

LINK 427 will focus on design work, and construction is expected to follow in 2017 with completion occurring in 2021. The Highway 427 expansion project includes:

A new 6.6 kilometer extension from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive with

  • Eight lanes from Highway 7 to Rutherford Road
  • Six lanes from Rutherford Road to Major Mackenzie Drive, and
  • Three interchanges: Langstaff Road, Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive
  • New median High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes
A 4 kilometer road widening from Finch Avenue to Highway 7

  • From six to eight lanes, Finch Avenue to south of Steeles Avenue
  • From four to eight lanes, from south of Steeles Avenue to Highway 7
  • New median High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes
Once construction is complete, LINK 427 will receive a substantial completion payment, followed by a series of monthly payments from the Province over a 30-year period. The 30-year period commences when construction is complete. These monthly payments cover routine maintenance, construction, lifecycle repair and renewal of the highway as well as project financing.

LINK 427's team includes:

  • Developer: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and Brennan Infrastructures Inc. (a member of the Miller Group of Companies)
  • Construction: Dragados Canada Inc., Brennan Infrastructures Inc. and Bot Infrastructure Ltd.
  • Design: MMM Group Ltd. and Thurber Engineering Ltd.
  • Maintenance: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and Brennan Infrastructures Inc.
LINK 427 estimates the majority of the labour will come from the Greater Toronto Area. There will be 250 workers on site at the peak of construction.

The Highway 427 expansion project underwent an open, fair and competitive procurement process overseen by a third party fairness advisor. LINK 427 submitted the proposal which delivers the best value for Ontario taxpayers.

I also found this map for the project, though it isn't as high-resolution as I hoped.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidecaledon.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F11%2Fhighway_427_extension.jpg&hash=8aedaa46ba7e33fb650ae21f33dc30f88695910c) (http://www.insidecaledon.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/highway_427_extension.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on March 16, 2017, 12:38:08 AM
Makes sense, I'm not surprised that they're doing this, given growth of the suburbs northward. It's a good thing that a lot of land was left open in the area north of 427's current terminus. Sure cuts down on the amount of NIMBYs...  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AlbertanRoad on March 16, 2017, 07:25:43 PM
It's probably only Alberta and Ontario which have the most Parclo Interchanges although Ontario "invented" it. Like because I can see 3 Parclos of that map already
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on March 17, 2017, 11:49:29 PM
I find it odd the MTO would build a full interchange at Langstaff Road. Seems like overkill for that road. A southbound entrance and northbound exit for directional rush hour traffic should have been sufficient.

Also, is Major Mackenzie supposed to be connected with the main section east of Hwy. 27?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on March 18, 2017, 12:05:21 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on March 17, 2017, 11:49:29 PM
Also, is Major Mackenzie supposed to be connected with the main section east of Hwy. 27?

I found this link on the York Region website, which talks about road widening and realignments on Major Mackenzie Drive. It mentions realigning the road to eliminate the need to follow Hwy 27, and a map is included. http://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/newsroom/news/majormackenziedriveconstruction/!ut/p/a1/jZBBT4NAEIV_Sw8cywyrUPRGaihUqyZNlO6lWXBZVmGXLNsS--vdGi8arZ3bTL43894AhQKoYnspmJVasfbY02hLyGWUBXNcLtKrGeZP6-w-XIQBpsQBGwfgH5Xgf_rlGQeIWc1XAmjPbDOVqtZQdOxVm45Vb1wdJH8xcs8rrQZrdtXROTwDPbk4iH4CmD3EmKezx_AmzgK8JV_AiWjOu2h1-fmmTaLKi9iZNLzmhht_Z9y4sbYfrj30cBxHX2gtWu5XzMPfFI0eLBTfQOi74nBXr_MpLd_HZDL5AHx_4do!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.WMyw6uus-rU (http://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/newsroom/news/majormackenziedriveconstruction/!ut/p/a1/jZBBT4NAEIV_Sw8cywyrUPRGaihUqyZNlO6lWXBZVmGXLNsS--vdGi8arZ3bTL43894AhQKoYnspmJVasfbY02hLyGWUBXNcLtKrGeZP6-w-XIQBpsQBGwfgH5Xgf_rlGQeIWc1XAmjPbDOVqtZQdOxVm45Vb1wdJH8xcs8rrQZrdtXROTwDPbk4iH4CmD3EmKezx_AmzgK8JV_AiWjOu2h1-fmmTaLKi9iZNLzmhht_Z9y4sbYfrj30cBxHX2gtWu5XzMPfFI0eLBTfQOi74nBXr_MpLd_HZDL5AHx_4do!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.WMyw6uus-rU)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 20, 2017, 11:10:19 AM
Next phase in Hwy 401 widening through Cambridge was announced a few weeks ago.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/feds-putting-96m-into-highway-401-widening-in-cambridge-1.3260022#
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 20, 2017, 01:39:58 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on March 20, 2017, 11:10:19 AM
Next phase in Hwy 401 widening through Cambridge was announced a few weeks ago.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/feds-putting-96m-into-highway-401-widening-in-cambridge-1.3260022#


That's a good news to hear along with Hwy-427 extension althought for this one, I would had let a stub for a possible more northernly extension.

However, for Hwy-401 widening, I wonder if they have long range plans for a C-D setup in the WKC area? That area growed a lot recently and doesn't seem to slow down for now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 20, 2017, 03:59:26 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on March 20, 2017, 01:39:58 PM
That's a good news to hear along with Hwy-427 extension althought for this one, I would had let a stub for a possible more northernly extension.

Though there are no immediate plans for a northern extension of Highway 427, the current design does not preclude an extension.  The existing configuration could be converted to a standard parclo pretty easily much the same way the end of the 403 was converted to a parclo when it was extended westerly from Ancaster.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 21, 2017, 11:24:43 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on March 20, 2017, 01:39:58 PM

However, for Hwy-401 widening, I wonder if they have long range plans for a C-D setup in the WKC area? That area growed a lot recently and doesn't seem to slow down for now.

No plans for core-collector in that area, just from Mississauga to Halton Road 25. West thereof would be a regular freeway widening.

For Waterloo Region, construction has begun on the new Kitchener-Guelph freeway, and upgrades in the near future to the Hanlon Expressway would provide an alternative freeway corridor to the north at least in that area.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on March 22, 2017, 12:32:36 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on March 18, 2017, 12:05:21 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on March 17, 2017, 11:49:29 PM
Also, is Major Mackenzie supposed to be connected with the main section east of Hwy. 27?

I found this link on the York Region website, which talks about road widening and realignments on Major Mackenzie Drive. It mentions realigning the road to eliminate the need to follow Hwy 27, and a map is included. http://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/newsroom/news/majormackenziedriveconstruction/!ut/p/a1/jZBBT4NAEIV_Sw8cywyrUPRGaihUqyZNlO6lWXBZVmGXLNsS--vdGi8arZ3bTL43894AhQKoYnspmJVasfbY02hLyGWUBXNcLtKrGeZP6-w-XIQBpsQBGwfgH5Xgf_rlGQeIWc1XAmjPbDOVqtZQdOxVm45Vb1wdJH8xcs8rrQZrdtXROTwDPbk4iH4CmD3EmKezx_AmzgK8JV_AiWjOu2h1-fmmTaLKi9iZNLzmhht_Z9y4sbYfrj30cBxHX2gtWu5XzMPfFI0eLBTfQOi74nBXr_MpLd_HZDL5AHx_4do!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.WMyw6uus-rU (http://www.york.ca/wps/portal/yorkhome/newsroom/news/majormackenziedriveconstruction/!ut/p/a1/jZBBT4NAEIV_Sw8cywyrUPRGaihUqyZNlO6lWXBZVmGXLNsS--vdGi8arZ3bTL43894AhQKoYnspmJVasfbY02hLyGWUBXNcLtKrGeZP6-w-XIQBpsQBGwfgH5Xgf_rlGQeIWc1XAmjPbDOVqtZQdOxVm45Vb1wdJH8xcs8rrQZrdtXROTwDPbk4iH4CmD3EmKezx_AmzgK8JV_AiWjOu2h1-fmmTaLKi9iZNLzmhht_Z9y4sbYfrj30cBxHX2gtWu5XzMPfFI0eLBTfQOi74nBXr_MpLd_HZDL5AHx_4do!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#.WMyw6uus-rU)

I'm surprised Major Mack is going to widened to six lanes, considering that it is only four  lanes further east. I foresee traffic congestion at Hwy. 50, seeing as there's no road on the Brampton side to tie into to continue west.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on April 12, 2017, 08:03:43 PM
This is good news, the 401 really needs widening east of Milton. Unfortunately there's no date for construction yet.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/ontario-takes-first-step-toward-widening-stretch-of-highway-401-west-of-toronto-1.3362742 (http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/ontario-takes-first-step-toward-widening-stretch-of-highway-401-west-of-toronto-1.3362742)

Quote
Ontario takes first step toward widening stretch of Highway 401 west of Toronto

TORONTO -- The Ontario government says it's taken the first step toward widening 18 kilometres of Highway 401 from the Credit River in Mississauga, Ont., to Regional Road 25 in Milton, Ont.

The expansion project will include adding HOV lanes in each direction and widening the existing six-lane configuration, but no date has been set for construction to begin.

It says Highway 401 will be widened to 12 lanes from the Credit River to Winston Churchill Boulevard, 10 lanes from there to the Highway 407-Highway 401 interchange, 12 lanes from that point to James Snow Parkway, and 10 lanes from there to Regional Road 25.

The government says widening the highway will relieve congestion, allow for a more efficient transportation and flow of goods, and help accommodate continued population and employment growth.

The province has issued a request for qualifications to design, build and finance the expansion project -- the first step in getting construction underway.

Officials say Highway 401 carries between 108,000 and 188,000 vehicles per day in the Peel and Halton region west of Toronto.

"Highway 401 is a critical highway for commuters and commercial traffic travelling throughout Ontario and the United States," Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said Monday in a release.

Mississauga-Streetsville MPP Bob Delaney said morning and evening gridlock are the "constant companion" to western Mississauga motorists.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 13, 2017, 09:12:03 AM
Quote
It says Highway 401 will be widened to 12 lanes from the Credit River to Winston Churchill Boulevard, 10 lanes from there to the Highway 407-Highway 401 interchange, 12 lanes from that point to James Snow Parkway, and 10 lanes from there to Regional Road 25.

Under preliminary concepts, the 10 lane portions will be simple freeway while the 12 lane will be complex freeway (core/collector) configurations.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on April 13, 2017, 12:58:21 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 13, 2017, 09:12:03 AM
Quote
It says Highway 401 will be widened to 12 lanes from the Credit River to Winston Churchill Boulevard, 10 lanes from there to the Highway 407-Highway 401 interchange, 12 lanes from that point to James Snow Parkway, and 10 lanes from there to Regional Road 25.

Under preliminary concepts, the 10 lane portions will be simple freeway while the 12 lane will be complex freeway (core/collector) configurations.

Too bad it has to go down to 10 lanes around the 407, but I guess it would be much too expensive to widen the existing overpasses. I'm not complaining, it'll still be a huge improvement.
-------------

In other highway news, Highway 40 at the 401 in Chatham-Kent will be closed for 8 months for the new overpass. The old overpass demolition will also require closing the 401 for a day. You can see some construction from last summer on GSV. (https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.3822805,-82.0928982,3a,75y,149.46h,87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sY4E3bNaVPUsiYLp5KjNlvg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/highway-40-interchange-to-be-shut-down-for-8-months-1.3364552 (http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/highway-40-interchange-to-be-shut-down-for-8-months-1.3364552)

QuoteHighway 40 interchange to be shut down for 8 months

A heads up for motorists travelling the 401 to Chatham-Kent.

The Highway 40 interchange -- which leads you to Chatham, Blenheim and Wallaceburg — will be closed for almost eight months.

But tourism and business officials hope residents and visitors will find another way to find what the region has to offer.

The $62-million project began more than a year ago, and this year's phase of the work will begin April 18.

Municipal Director of Engineering Adam Sullo says they are working closely with the Ministry of Transportation to make the necessary road safety improvements.

"Sight lines have been a big concern at this overpass going back 15 to 20 years"  says Sullo.

There are more than 200 merchants in Blenheim, but the BIA hopes the economic impact of the work will be minimal.

"We just want people to know we're still here we're still open and welcoming any visitors to town" says BIA member Mark Eskritt.

Chatham-Kent Tourism says the work is a chance for visitors and residents to explore more of the region.

"It's a slower pace, you have an opportunity to discover some of those things perhaps you haven't seen"  says Shannon Paiva, Supervisor of Tourism Development.

On April 29, Highway 401 between Kent Bridge and Bloomfield Roads will be closed to all traffic from 8 p.m until 10 a.m the following morning so the overpass can be demolished.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 24, 2017, 06:02:00 PM
Kind of old, but here are some pictures of the ON 69 (future ON 400) twinning project north of the French River:

https://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2017/01/making-highways-safer-in-northeastern-ontario.html

(on the right side of the page)

Clearly these pictures were taken last fall (October I'm guessing) so hopefully a bit of progress has been made since then. It looks like they're realigning the new freeway slightly to the east of the current alignment.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 25, 2017, 11:02:35 AM
^ I was up that way at about that time of year last year.  I don't too much has changed since those photos were taken.  When I drove by, I observed that pretty much all of the vegetation (though not all) had been removed from the new alignment, and that heavy rock work was being undertaken.  The rock work required is pretty significant.  Although the topography is fairly flat, the exposed bedrock undulates just enough that the top layer of pretty much the entire future alignment needs to be removed to build a new flat freeway.  There was no work ongoing for any of the bridges when I visited.  I would expect foundations work would be starting fairly soon for at least the new twin French River Bridge structures.  I am actually kind of looking forward to driving up that way later in the summer or early in the fall once the French River Bridges have started to take shape, as I think they'll be interesting looking structures.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:06:40 PM
Some photos of the construction at the Highway 19 overpass over Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario.  This construction season, the old Highway 19 bridge will be replaced with a new structure.  In what is somewhat of an innovative approach, the bridge deck for the new bridge has already pretty much been constructed within the footprint of the interchange.  The old bridge will be demolished, and new piers and footings will be installed in just over a month from the demolition date of the old bridge, and then the new bridge deck will be hoisted into place.  This technique is knicknamed "GiGo" for "Get in, Get out".

looking west from Highway 19 over the 401.  The median lanes of the 401 have been closed in order to construct the new central pier for the new bridge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_218_west_Apr17_forum.jpg&hash=1c82caa6e3037c45903b4f0141d00ff5cf932cbd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_218_west_Apr17_24x16.jpg

two views looking east from the Highway 19 overpass.  As is visible in the photo, the new bridge deck is being constructed in the southeastern interchange quadrant:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_218_east_se_Apr17_forum.jpg&hash=b57a8ad03eda7ae99f789d74fb7b6483b4ff8bf1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_218_east_se_Apr17_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_218_east_bridge_Apr17_forum.jpg&hash=3288706ac6d9a2ec0fab6434876b8d56f877739b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_218_east_bridge_Apr17_24x16.jpg

the old highway 19 bridge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_structure_218_southeast_Jul14.jpg&hash=b45d750b8e39d47a9ca6632b13c82cdf97194c8c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_structure_218_southeast_Jul14_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on April 27, 2017, 09:28:43 PM
↑ Any idea whether the type of interchange will be changed along with the bridge? The current one is a diamond, but I know Ontario loves Parclos.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:38:08 PM
The intersections at the ramp terminals are being converted to roundabouts.  The interchange footprint is being build wide enough to convert the diamond to a parclo though in the future, should traffic volumes warrant in the future.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 27, 2017, 10:40:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:06:40 PM
Some photos of the construction at the Highway 19 overpass over Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario.  This construction season, the old Highway 19 bridge will be replaced with a new structure.  In what is somewhat of an innovative approach, the bridge deck for the new bridge has already pretty much been constructed within the footprint of the interchange.  The old bridge will be demolished, and new piers and footings will be installed in just over a month from the demolition date of the old bridge, and then the new bridge deck will be hoisted into place.  This technique is knicknamed "GiGo" for "Get in, Get out".
Actually has a different name in the industry: ABC, for Accelerated Bridge Construction. Construct the bridge offline, then slide it in.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 27, 2017, 11:17:35 PM
WSDOT used a similar method with the I-5 Skagit River Bridge replacement (the second replacement, after the first bridge collapsed and was replaced with some sort of Bailey bridge).

https://youtu.be/o5uXnSREbH0
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 11:22:25 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 27, 2017, 10:40:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:06:40 PM
Some photos of the construction at the Highway 19 overpass over Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario.  This construction season, the old Highway 19 bridge will be replaced with a new structure.  In what is somewhat of an innovative approach, the bridge deck for the new bridge has already pretty much been constructed within the footprint of the interchange.  The old bridge will be demolished, and new piers and footings will be installed in just over a month from the demolition date of the old bridge, and then the new bridge deck will be hoisted into place.  This technique is knicknamed "GiGo" for "Get in, Get out".
Actually has a different name in the industry: ABC, for Accelerated Bridge Construction. Construct the bridge offline, then slide it in.

MTO refers to this methodology of accelerated bridge construction as GiGo:
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/csce2016/London/Structural/31/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 27, 2017, 11:46:43 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 11:22:25 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 27, 2017, 10:40:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:06:40 PM
Some photos of the construction at the Highway 19 overpass over Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario.  This construction season, the old Highway 19 bridge will be replaced with a new structure.  In what is somewhat of an innovative approach, the bridge deck for the new bridge has already pretty much been constructed within the footprint of the interchange.  The old bridge will be demolished, and new piers and footings will be installed in just over a month from the demolition date of the old bridge, and then the new bridge deck will be hoisted into place.  This technique is knicknamed "GiGo" for "Get in, Get out".
Actually has a different name in the industry: ABC, for Accelerated Bridge Construction. Construct the bridge offline, then slide it in.

MTO refers to this methodology of accelerated bridge construction as GiGo:
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/csce2016/London/Structural/31/
Fair enough.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 28, 2017, 11:35:05 AM
Quote from: Alps on April 27, 2017, 11:46:43 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 11:22:25 PM
Quote from: Alps on April 27, 2017, 10:40:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 27, 2017, 09:06:40 PM
Some photos of the construction at the Highway 19 overpass over Highway 401 in Southwestern Ontario.  This construction season, the old Highway 19 bridge will be replaced with a new structure.  In what is somewhat of an innovative approach, the bridge deck for the new bridge has already pretty much been constructed within the footprint of the interchange.  The old bridge will be demolished, and new piers and footings will be installed in just over a month from the demolition date of the old bridge, and then the new bridge deck will be hoisted into place.  This technique is knicknamed "GiGo" for "Get in, Get out".
Actually has a different name in the industry: ABC, for Accelerated Bridge Construction. Construct the bridge offline, then slide it in.

MTO refers to this methodology of accelerated bridge construction as GiGo:
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/csce2016/London/Structural/31/
Fair enough.

I had thought ABC was a more of a catch all term for these sorts of projects, while GiGo (build new piers/abutments), Rapid Replacement (use existing ones), etc were specific variations on that concept.

I mean, it's just a question of semantics at this point.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 06, 2017, 09:10:49 AM
Video of the 407 including the first phase of the extension:

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 22, 2017, 09:29:10 PM
From one variety of four-lane highway to another... Hwy 69 north of Parry Sound, ON.  The undivided photos were taken in 2012, and the divided highway photos were taken in 2016:

Looking south:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_160_south_Jul12_forum.jpg&hash=049bb60739331047698f2a51928657fd00080fe2)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_160_south_Sep16_forum.jpg&hash=81f1a6c0fee3a448308f533c2da047cbf0162016)

Looking north:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_160_north_Jul12_forum.jpg&hash=88cf81e22020a95dd56a6bc6c12d95b4badcfc5a)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_160_north_Sep16_forum.jpg&hash=201b355949a43575f2984fe3876434e47da14e7f)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on May 24, 2017, 11:31:57 PM
The Ontario Liberals want to re-introduce photo radar in Ontario. Kathleen Wynne is insisting that it'll be for school zones only, but I (along with many other people) am worried that this is a slippery slope to introducing it on other roads.
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/05/01/photo-radar-will-stick-to-school-zones-wynne-insists (http://www.torontosun.com/2017/05/01/photo-radar-will-stick-to-school-zones-wynne-insists)

Meanwhile, Alberta is reviewing its photo radar policy due to concerns of it being a "cash cow".
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-announces-photo-radar-review-amid-concerns-it-has-become-a-cash-cow-1.3410996 (http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-announces-photo-radar-review-amid-concerns-it-has-become-a-cash-cow-1.3410996)

It's hard to argue with that when the following article states that "In Edmonton, the city tripled photo radar revenues from $16 million in 2011 to $52 million in 2016, first by secretly dropping the tolerance for speeding by five km/h, then by ramping up photo radar deployment."
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-how-the-alberta-government-can-fix-edmontons-photo-radar-abuse (http://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/david-staples-how-the-alberta-government-can-fix-edmontons-photo-radar-abuse)

I personally hope this bill will be shot down, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on May 25, 2017, 01:04:15 PM
Hopefully they don't put it up on rural freeways in Ontario, or else everyone would get pulled over!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on May 25, 2017, 11:35:10 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on May 25, 2017, 01:04:15 PM
Hopefully they don't put it up on rural freeways in Ontario, or else everyone would get pulled over!

But it could help pay off our debt! (http://www.debtclock.ca/provincial-debtclocks/ontario/ontario-s-debt/) :bigass:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 26, 2017, 12:32:48 AM
Quote from: compdude787 on May 25, 2017, 01:04:15 PM
Hopefully they don't put it up on rural freeways in Ontario, or else everyone would get pulled over!
maybe the freeways need to be 65-70+ MPH.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aboges26 on June 02, 2017, 04:35:26 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on May 26, 2017, 12:32:48 AM
Quote from: compdude787 on May 25, 2017, 01:04:15 PM
Hopefully they don't put it up on rural freeways in Ontario, or else everyone would get pulled over!
maybe the freeways need to be 65-70+ MPH.

They sure need to be, but I doubt it will happen anytime soon.  When I was 17 I drove to Toronto for the first time on the 401 coming from Detroit and my mother woke up from a nap just east of London and yelled at me that I was trying to get us killed when I was going 110 KM/H with all the traffic speeding past.  I sped up to 120 and was still the slowest car on the road  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on June 21, 2017, 09:16:33 AM
I didn't find out until today, but the Ontario government passed The Safer School Zones Act on May 30th.

https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/05/ontario-passes-legislation-to-keep-kids-safe-on-local-roads.html (https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/05/ontario-passes-legislation-to-keep-kids-safe-on-local-roads.html)

QuoteThe Safer School Zones Act gives municipalities more tools to fight speeding and dangerous driving in their communities, including:

  • Automated speed enforcement (ASE) technology, which will help catch speeders. Municipalities will have the option to use this technology in school zones and also in community safety zones on roads with speed limits below 80 km/h.
  • The ability to create zones with reduced speed limits to decrease the frequency and severity of pedestrian-vehicle collisions in urban areas.
  • A streamlined process for municipalities to participate in Ontario's effective Red Light Camera program without the need for lengthy regulatory approval.
Municipalities, police boards and road safety advocates from across Ontario have asked for these tools to help keep roads safe, particularly in areas with children and seniors.  With the passage of this new legislation, municipalities will now have the option to implement road safety measures in a way that makes sense in their local communities.

Ontario's roads have consistently ranked among the safest in North America, and these new tools will help make communities even safer for all vulnerable road users.

Quick Facts
  • ASE is already used in many parts of North America and Europe. It will not be implemented on provincial highways.
  • Speed is one of the biggest killers on Ontario's roads: 14 per cent of all people killed on Ontario's roads in 2013 died in collisions where speed was a factor.
  • In 2013, approximately 3 out of every 4 speed-related collisions occurred on municipal roads.
  • Studies show that the use of automated speed enforcement leads to fewer fatalities and serious collisions.

Good news is it can't be used on roads with speed limits of 80+. Bad news is that it's now easier for municipalities to lower speed limits and create Community Safety Zones. Municipalities looking for cash may end up lowering speed limits around the city to take advantage of the ASE revenue.

Does anyone know if there are any limits to how many (or how much total km of) Community Safety Zones are allowed in a municipality? Could a municipality theoretically make every street one?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 24, 2017, 11:06:20 PM
A few photos of the 401 widening project through Waterloo Region taken earlier in July.  These views are from the Speedsville Road overpass.

Looking west towards the Highway 8 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F401_cl_281_west_c_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=881bb4f555bddf61559ef9be02c33b2261746f6f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_west_c_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_west_c_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F401_cl_281_west_WB_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=c65fc08779ec6677e6ae2aad18f3f38196de3748)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_west_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_west_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

Looking east towards the Highway 24 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F401_cl_281_east_WB_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=420027e0ef89d779d97811887c6bae920987d172)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F401_cl_281_east_c_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=7e90b7cf725571c5d84de9c2c1db0be5ab8e8826)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_c_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_c_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F401_cl_281_east_c_t_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=2ce7c4e3bc7042713ec4d8657c38afc8c4f5cf45)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_c_t_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/07-Jul/401_cl_281_east_c_t_Jul17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on July 24, 2017, 11:33:46 PM
Nice photos AsphaltPlanet! I've read that it's being widened from 6 to 10 lanes, but these photos make it look even wider than that. It'll be cool to have an HOV lane here in Waterloo Region.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 25, 2017, 10:48:36 PM
Some photos of the 407 widening project through Mississauga between the 410 and 427 interchanges.  Crews are making good progress, and the additional median lane should be opened to traffic within the next few weeks.  These photos were taken the same day as the above K/W photos:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_47_west_WB_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=26706ca12483c4958f1ef029ce901e8de2f541b9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_47_west_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_47_west_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_47_east_EB_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=db24cd3b64cba6eb171b977d0ae76e26b5e402c1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_47_east_EB_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_47_east_EB_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_48_west_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=c243ac9457c25e9645d3bdeb0f849d9635c12c11)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_48_west_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_48_west_Jul17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_48_east_WB_Jul17_forum.jpg&hash=3e0db01e9b8bfda3fe8860aabb5ef85ba835711c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_48_east_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_48_east_WB_Jul17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on July 25, 2017, 11:40:23 PM
Good stuff!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on July 26, 2017, 07:34:06 PM
Wait, they need to widen the 407? I thought the tolls were kept high enough that it is usually free-flowing.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 27, 2017, 03:15:54 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on July 26, 2017, 07:34:06 PM
Wait, they need to widen the 407? I thought the tolls were kept high enough that it is usually free-flowing.

Balancing supply (highway capacity) and demand, and a cost/benefit analysis. You could have four lanes per direction each handling up to about 7600 vph, or you could have 5 lanes each with up to about 9500 vph. Is it better to raise the toll to cap demand at 4 lanes worth, or to build the extra one?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 29, 2017, 02:03:37 PM
I noticed that they started the construction of VIVA bus lanes on the section of Hwy 7 where the limit is 80. I'm thinking there is no need since there rarely are traffic jams in this area and everyone drives 100... It's a pretty open road to me, and what use for the bus lanes? There isn't even any commercial area alongside this section of Hwy 7.

if you don't know where I'm talking about this section of Hwy 7 looks like this: Credits to the photo owner: (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thekingshighway.ca%2FPHOTOS-3%2Fhwy7-187_xlg.jpg&hash=7dbd0f1f514d5ab2a14dd0ef3901f5be49174926)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on July 29, 2017, 05:46:58 PM
That road almost looks like a freeway to me! All it's missing is a Jersey barrier.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on July 31, 2017, 11:31:37 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on July 29, 2017, 05:46:58 PM
That road almost looks like a freeway to me! All it's missing is a Jersey barrier.

Except with the traffic light in the background...

Quote from: andrepoiy on July 29, 2017, 02:03:37 PM
I noticed that they started the construction of VIVA bus lanes on the section of Hwy 7 where the limit is 80. I'm thinking there is no need since there rarely are traffic jams in this area and everyone drives 100... It's a pretty open road to me, and what use for the bus lanes? There isn't even any commercial area alongside this section of Hwy 7.

It's not a provincial road, so (as far as I know) there are no AADT numbers. I'm sure it was done for a reason.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mgk920 on August 04, 2017, 11:31:31 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 06, 2017, 09:10:49 AM
Video of the 407 including the first phase of the extension:



What did this ride cost you in tolls?

I do like 407ETR's electronic version of a 'closed ticket' system for tolling - putting the gantries only on the on and off ramps.  IMHO, this allows for the highway to function just like a normal freeway with more frequent on and off ramp access than on other tollways and without full highway gantries every km or two.

IMHO, this is the way that the ISTHA should go if they ever convert to transponder/photo only tolling.

Also, what is the status of 407ETR and its eastward MTO extension accepting E-ZPass?

Mike
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on August 04, 2017, 04:46:15 PM
Quote from: compdude787 on July 26, 2017, 07:34:06 PM
Wait, they need to widen the 407? I thought the tolls were kept high enough that it is usually free-flowing.

The tolls are pretty steep, especially for everyday usage. It makes you wonder how so many people can afford that, considering the also very high cost of housing in Toronto.

I wish there would be detailed AADT figures for the 407. It is claimed that the Highway 407 ETR carries 350,000 trips per day but I think those are the total number of transactions and not a segmental AADT figure. There are 12 lanes between the 400 and 427, but it doesn't appear very congested so I'm guessing the AADT may be in the 175,000 - 200,000 range. It is almost 5 p.m. on a Friday as of this posting and Google Maps displays that section with green-to-orange traffic flow. Probably dense traffic, but not backed up like the 400 and 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2017, 11:34:20 AM
Some photos of Phase 2A of the 407 Extension taken last weekend:

View looking westerly from Winchester Road, just east of the current eastern terminus of the highway.  Paving had been started only a few weeks before these photos were taken.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_128_west_t_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=8f2ff7b690796428f8962095ebeb8477531ad195)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_128_west_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_128_west_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view from the Winchester Road overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_128_east_t_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=f35a12841e65f515eedd46c4d2a192cc380eae61)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_128_east_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_128_east_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Westerly view towards Winchester Road from the Langmaid Road overpass
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_130_west_t_Jul30-17.jpg&hash=eefa2cc0164f013ecead5a83f3d1ba929b459fb0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_130_west_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_130_west_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view from Langmaid Road towards Concession 6:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_130_east_EB_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=ee9e40024e495134ee542717b65696ef1609420c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_130_east_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_130_east_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Westerly view from Concession Road 6 towards Langmaid Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_131_west_EB_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=3ec53820ebaf207c6c76bbfde2d0f7ed51b0257d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_131_west_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_131_west_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view from Concession Road 6 towards the Enfield Road interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_131_east_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=01dd6cc3d5772ff918a7ea9ae94aa74249678fb2)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_131_east_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_131_east_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Two views looking westerly from the Solina Road overpass in the direction of the Enfield Road interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_133_west_WB_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=0b2656574fc50d8e73eb9be1da0fab7ffd01b9ff)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_west_WB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_west_WB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_133_west_EB_t_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=e53b8b5d1d9520b9473a5886e2c71c001429b059)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_west_EB_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_west_EB_t_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view towards the future 407/418 interchange from the Solina Road overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407E%2F2017%2F07-Jul%2F407E_cl_133_east_EB_Jul30-17_forum.jpg&hash=cf8b659570c925600899ec8d94ae14524c122554)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_east_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407E/2017/07-Jul/407E_cl_133_east_EB_Jul30-17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 07, 2017, 02:23:23 PM
Saw the Eastern terminus of Hwy-407 at Hwy-35/115. It end like a trumpet http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=44.02097,-78.60624&z=16&t=H and I wonder if they had though to extent it further to the east to reach Hwy-401 somewhere near Cobourg?

I guess they'll have to de-RIRO and fully freewaylize Hwy-35/115 between Hwy-407 and the northern split of 35/115 where Hwy-115 goes full freeway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2017, 03:42:08 PM
There are no plans to extend the 407 beyond the 35/115.  Certainly it wouldn't be impossible in the future, but I really can't see it happening anytime soon.

To my knowledge there are also no plans to convert the 35/115 into a freeway.  The MTO is planning to resurface the 35/115 north of the 407 interchange which could potentially include some minor operational improvements (specifically at the closely spaced Wilcox and Highway 35 interchanges), but that's about it for the near term.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bubbamcgee on August 07, 2017, 04:43:27 PM
Any idea why they didn't make a complete freeway connection from 407 to 115?  Is sure seems like it would have been better to have a full freeway connection coming down from Peterborough.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2017, 05:33:07 PM
When the 407 was first conceived, it was envisioned to meet the 35/115 right at the current 35 and 115 interchange.  During more recent design iterations it's alignment was pulled to the south so that it would be closer to the population centres within the municipality of Clarington, as well as as avoid most of the ecologically sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine to the north.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 08, 2017, 09:29:46 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2017, 05:33:07 PM
When the 407 was first conceived, it was envisioned to meet the 35/115 right at the current 35 and 115 interchange.  During more recent design iterations it's alignment was pulled to the south so that it would be closer to the population centres within the municipality of Clarington, as well as as avoid most of the ecologically sensitive Oak Ridges Moraine to the north.

Original 1963 Alignment (details updated to 1968)

(photobucket link) (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/cbeach40/media/407%20Strip%20Map.png.html)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bubbamcgee on August 08, 2017, 11:22:04 AM
I can see that it is closer to Clarington; but, marginally at best.  The freeway gap between 407 and 115 is only going to be about 4 miles apart.  Are there plans at some point to convert those few miles over to full freeway?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 08, 2017, 02:29:15 PM
Quote from: bubbamcgee on August 08, 2017, 11:22:04 AM
I can see that it is closer to Clarington; but, marginally at best.  The freeway gap between 407 and 115 is only going to be about 4 miles apart.  Are there plans at some point to convert those few miles over to full freeway?

No active plans. Very generally speaking, given its functional classification (Freeway/staged freeway) when it comes up for rebuild the Ministry would look at safety improvements which would include but not be limited to removing entrances and side road access. But with that, there's issues of impacts to property access and the related costs, so until a detail design comes forward there's no guarantee.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 08, 2017, 04:36:51 PM
I got the feeling then once Hwy-407 is open to 35/115, Peterborough will see some growth then some folks had probably underestimated.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
If I had my way, 35/115 would be upgraded to a freeway past the 407 interchange and made into an extension of ON 407 to Peterborough.

I do find it interesting that Canada seems to be much more tolerant of at-grades than the US.  In addition to this, AB 2 has numerous at-grades between Calgary and Edmonton, the autoroutes have a few sections with at-grades (including one that is just a random two lane road), and the majority of even the otherwise freeway-freeway border crossings have an at-grade or two on the Canadian side.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 08, 2017, 10:53:52 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 08, 2017, 02:29:15 PM
No active plans. Very generally speaking, given its functional classification (Freeway/staged freeway) when it comes up for rebuild the Ministry would look at safety improvements which would include but not be limited to removing entrances and side road access. But with that, there's issues of impacts to property access and the related costs, so until a detail design comes forward there's no guarantee.

A consultant assignment for the the detail design of a resurfacing contract that included (presumably minor) operational improvements went out this spring.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 09, 2017, 08:57:37 AM
The MTO has currently posted a consultant assignment for the realignment of the 401 through the Leslie Street interchange 19 meters to the south.  Construction started earlier this year on the project that will see the eastbound off-ramp to Leslie Street replaced and realigned.  The second contract will see the eastbound collector lanes moved to the south from their current alignment.

While the eastbound off-ramp to Leslie Street will be widened from one to two lanes, the eastbound collector lanes are not planned to be widened from three to four lanes (though there will be an extra wide right shoulder through the project).

The detail design work is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2019, so presumably actual construction would start in the spring of 2020.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2F401Leslie_small.jpg&hash=5305a4ebe698c5875f555d18afe128d472b45c74)

QuoteThe ministry completed a preliminary design study for the rehabilitation of Highway 401 express and collector lanes from Leslie Street to Warden Avenue (Highway 401 Preliminary Design – Leslie Street to Warden Avenue, August 2012). The study made several recommendations for the rehabilitation of Highway 401/Leslie Street Interchange, including the re-alignment of the interchange to the south, replacement of all 12 bridges located within the interchange and widened of the W-N/S Ramp from 1 to 2 lanes on a new alignment.

Highway 401/Leslie Street Interchange

The re-alignment section at Leslie Interchange, including transition to the existing highway sections at both ends, is approximately 1.8km in length, extending approximately 800m west of the Leslie Street to approximately 1000m to the east of Leslie Street. The maximum shift of the re-alignment is approximately 19m.

The ministry will carry out the realignment of the interchange and replacement of the bridges within the interchange in a series of contracts, moving along from a south-to north direction.

The first contract to replace the existing W-N/S Ramp (Contract 2016-2048) is currently under construction.

The second contract, as an integral part of this assignment, includes the construction of the new eastbound collector lanes at the interchange.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 09, 2017, 11:46:37 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
If I had my way, 35/115 would be upgraded to a freeway past the 407 interchange and made into an extension of ON 407 to Peterborough.

Or give it a unique number as the one highway tees into the other rather than forming a straight through movement, it's not toll like the rest of 407 is, and originally 428 was reserved for at least a portion of the 115 route anyway.


Quote from: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
I do find it interesting that Canada seems to be much more tolerant of at-grades than the US.

Not to knee jerk react to your point, but that's completely the opposite of true. Yes, Western Canada has a lot of divided roads with at-grade intersections, but the Western US has a lot more of them - with a lot greater population living along it. To say nothing of the Eastern US, where the population is even more dense but divided highways with at-grade intersections are still prevalent.

I mean, when we talk about four lane divided highways with at-grade intersections, the informal name we use for them is "US-style divided highways"   :eyebrow:

Quote from: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
In addition to this, AB 2 has numerous at-grades between Calgary and Edmonton,

There's several at-grade intersections between Detroit and Columbus, two much larger metro areas about the same distance apart.

Quote from: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
the autoroutes have a few sections with at-grades (including one that is just a random two lane road),

Yeah, maybe those sections should have Québec's 100-series numbering rather than Autoroute, given the design. But it is just "a few sections" there.


Quote from: vdeane on August 08, 2017, 09:38:39 PM
and the majority of even the otherwise freeway-freeway border crossings have an at-grade or two on the Canadian side.

Well, two of them do (I-95 & NB-95, I-91 & A-55). The other five:
- I-87 & A-15 - At grade intersections and entrances on both sides
- I-190 & ON-405 has entrances on both sides (Duty free, etc)
- I-69/94 & ON-402 has entrances on the Canadian side (again, Duty free/currency exchange)
- I-190 & QEW - Signalized intersection and entrances on US side
- I-5 & BC-99 - at-grade intersection on Canadian side, but crosswalks on both sides (which is so, so much worse for a freeway)

I excluded customs services and parking lots above, otherwise every last one of them would not be a freeway. That being said, whether a border approach is a freeway or not is completely irrelevant if there's a customs booth on the highway and it's not free-flow. The only advantages of a freeway approach with that interruption is to isolate the border traffic from local traffic, and to provide greater storage for queued vehicles.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-87/A-15 has an at-grade on the Canadian side... what I assume you're referring to on the US side I consider part of the plaza.  It's harldy noticeable when driving, though, while the Canadian one has stop signs.

I count duty free/currency exchange as similar to a service plaza (albeit a substandard one, more similar to the gas stations on some NYC parkways/expressways than a Turnpike or ONRoute plaza).

I-190/QEW does not have a traffic light any more and is a true freeway/freeway interchange on the US side now.

I-5/BC 99 is indeed weird that way, thanks to the Peace Arch.  Again, though, very noticeable at-grade, for a function that has zero to do with customs.

I would not compare AB 2 to Detroit/Columbus.  AB 2, at least between Calgary and Edmonton, is Alberta's 401, and functionally a freeway with a ton of at-grades (it's even marked as a freeway on maps).  Winnipeg has a beltway that is more non-freeway than freeway.  In the US, we have the interstate system, which aside from a few exceptions hated by roadgeeks, does not have at-grades.  Aside from Ontario's 400 series highways (didn't ON 406 have at-grades recently?), Canada has no equivalent, though the Autoroutes come close (fix A-55 and A-20 and do something about A-30 and A-955, and I'd call it close enough; I'm willing to forgive the super-2s and the remaining sections with at-grades that I did not list, though I can't say I care for them).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on August 09, 2017, 10:23:14 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-190/QEW does not have a traffic light any more and is a true freeway/freeway interchange on the US side now.

When did that change?  Haven't been up there in since I think '08.  And StreetView from 9/14 still shows the light.  And Google Satellite still shows it as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 09, 2017, 10:43:32 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 09, 2017, 11:46:37 AM
- I-5 & BC-99 - at-grade intersection on Canadian side, but crosswalks on both sides (which is so, so much worse for a freeway)

The Peace Arch Park sits right between the two carriageways. They could build a bridge or under crossing but it might ruin the ambiance of the park. Plus the speed limit is already so low approaching the crossing, and there's a bunch of raised crossings and speed bumps.

Doesn't change the fact that it's not freeway-to-freeway but I'm not sure it has to be. I would like to see that Beach Road intersection modified, but I'm not sure what the best course of action would be.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on August 10, 2017, 01:49:27 PM
MTO 2017-2021 Southern and northern highway programs out

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/highway-bridges/southern-and-northern-highways-programs.shtml
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
To take a more comprehensive inventory of Canadian "freeways" that aren't:
-British Columbia: BC 19 and TCH 1 both have sections with at-grades.  BC 99 has an at-grade north of the border (yes, I-5 does have crosswalks, but they are within the customs area, so IMO they don't count).  There is no freeway connecting BC 99 to TCH 1; BC 17 does not count as it has numerous at-grades.  BC 97C does not connect to BC 5.  TCH 1 still diverts off the freeway despite the tolls being removed.
-Alberta: AB 2 is supposedly a freeway between Calgary and Edmonton, and is arguably the most important road is all of Alberta, yet it has numerous at-grades.  I-15 to Calgary would seem to be a perfect freeway corridor, yet there is none there.
-Manitoba: Do I REALLY need to talk about Manitoba?  It kinda personifies my point.  Seriously, just look at their sorry excuse for a beltway.
-Ontario: ON 17 has at-grades on the eastern part of the freeway near Sudbury.  ON 35/ON 115 already mentioned, but it's worth mentioning that traffic moving between the freeway sections of ON 115 and ON 407 will have to endure part of it.  ON 11 is a textbook case.  ON 406 was fixed.  ON 137 is forgivable.  Major Breezewood between ON 417 and A-5.
-Quebec: Numerous examples, most notably A-30, A-55, and A-955, but occasional at-grades exist even on areas that are otherwise freeways, including A-440 and north of border crossings.
-New Brunswick: The majority of the "freeway system" is like this.  NB 1 and TCH 2 are actually the exceptions.
-Nova Scotia: Similar to New Brunswick though less extreme, but there is a plan to fix it, so I'll let it slide.
-Prince Edward Island: N/A
-Newfoundland and Labrador: Really the only complaint I have about them is the signage and use of sequential exit numbers, neither of which is applicable to this thread.  The population density does not warrant connecting the two freeway sections of TCH 1.

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on August 09, 2017, 10:23:14 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-190/QEW does not have a traffic light any more and is a true freeway/freeway interchange on the US side now.

When did that change?  Haven't been up there in since I think '08.  And StreetView from 9/14 still shows the light.  And Google Satellite still shows it as well.
Just last year.  Street view from Porter Ave is mostly updated.  There is now a roundabout at the ramp to I-190 north with a second ramp replacing Baird Drive.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 14, 2017, 04:40:41 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-87/A-15 has an at-grade on the Canadian side... what I assume you're referring to on the US side I consider part of the plaza.  It's harldy noticeable when driving, though, while the Canadian one has stop signs.

Yes, it's part of the plaza, where it sends trucks for inspection on one side of the highway to the other. If you're going to go with completely freeway design standards (which again, in the low speed interrupted flow conditions in the vicinity of border inspections makes ZERO sense), then having low speed truck cross traffic is the second worst case scenario. If you accept it as not a freeway as the volumes and driver expectancy will allow for it, then it's not a problem.

Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-190/QEW does not have a traffic light any more and is a true freeway/freeway interchange on the US side now.

Well, freeway to a 1-2 (variable) lane section over the bridge. So, like all but the Blue Water Bridge, not a freeway cross section across the river.

Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I-5/BC 99 is indeed weird that way, thanks to the Peace Arch.  Again, though, very noticeable at-grade, for a function that has zero to do with customs.

And how is that a problem? How is it a problem on a road with a 60 km/h limit and interrupted flow in the vicinity?

Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I would not compare AB 2 to Detroit/Columbus.  AB 2, at least between Calgary and Edmonton, is Alberta's 401, and functionally a freeway with a ton of at-grades (it's even marked as a freeway on maps).

NL-500 between Labrador City and Goose Bay is "Labrador's 401"* - should it be a freeway? Or is it built to the standard appropriate for its traffic?
If there are "a ton of at-grades" then functionally it's not a freeway. If maps say it is, then the maps are wrong.

And you're right, AB-2 is not an appropriate comparison to US-23 in Ohio - the latter is much busier.


Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
Winnipeg has a beltway that is more non-freeway than freeway.

Considering the volumes on a lot of it are more comparable to a typical neighbourhood collector road than to an urban freeway, there might be a point to building it that way and upgrading as required.

Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
In the US, we have the interstate system, which aside from a few exceptions hated by roadgeeks, does not have at-grades.

There's also nine times as many people, and they're far more widely distributed than in Canada.

And that's really the issue here. In the US, there's the Interstates and other freeways, then you have divided highways, and conventional highways. And it's a pretty extensive network of all. In Canada, the only place where we have that kind of developed multi-level network - and population density - is in the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. Other than that, development are comparatively very isolated from one another. So there aside from those urban areas and specific sites where there are operation or safety concerns, there isn't the traffic to justify removing the at-grade intersections.

So per the original point that Canada is more tolerant of at-grades than the US, the more accurate point is the mostly empty Western Canada builds them a lot outside of urban areas, but since this is the Ontario thread that's off-topic, not to mention a completely inappropriate comparison as the design priorities, standards, and pressures are vastly different there than here. Ontario build divided highways with at-grade intersections sparingly compared to many of our neighbours (eg, Ohio's James A. Rhodes Appalachin Highway is longer than the combined length of all divided highways with at-grades intersections in the entire province). And more than half of those Ontario ones are slated for upgrade to a full freeway in the immediate to near future.

Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
Aside from Ontario's 400 series highways (didn't ON 406 have at-grades recently?),

The southern portion of Highway 406 was recently upgraded from a two lane staged freeway to a full freeway for its length.
400-series standards include:
- Be a divided highway consisting of two or more lanes in each direction separated by a median area or physical barrier in compliance with current design standards for freeways.
- Be controlled by access and egress provided only at interchanges through the use of ramps with acceleration and deceleration lanes and tapers in compliance with current design standards for freeways.
- Be able to be posted at 100 km/h. Shorty segments below that are permitted, but not if they occur frequently.
- Prohibit use by bicycles and pedestrians.
- Prohibit parking, except in emergencies.
- Be free from at-grade rail crossings, lift bridges or any other features that would impede the free flow of traffic

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
-Alberta: AB 2 is supposedly a freeway between Calgary and Edmonton, and is arguably the most important road is all of Alberta, yet it has numerous at-grades.  I-15 to Calgary would seem to be a perfect freeway corridor, yet there is none there.

Again, AB-2 is not supposedly a freeway, yes it stall has at-grades but volumes on that road aren't particularly high in the sections that have those. South of Calgary volumes are pretty low (~8000 vpd) to Lethbridge, south of there to I-15 they're dead (~2000 vpd). The latter daily two-way volume is less than the hourly capacity of a single freeway lane, let alone be "perfect" for four freeway lanes.

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
-Manitoba: Do I REALLY need to talk about Manitoba?  It kinda personifies my point.  Seriously, just look at their sorry excuse for a beltway.

The only parts with any appreciable amounts of traffic already have interchanges. Much of it is pretty dead.

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
-Ontario: ON 17 has at-grades on the eastern part of the freeway near Sudbury.

Highway 17 in that area is classified as an arterial highway. The portion that was built as a freeway runs between the two junctions of RR-55 and there is not a single at-grade intersection between them.


Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
ON 35/ON 115 already mentioned, but it's worth mentioning that traffic moving between the freeway sections of ON 115 and ON 407 will have to endure part of it.

"Endure" it? What is there to "endure" for that section? There's no cross traffic as it's a RIRO expressway, so that immediately makes it safer than a US-style divided highway. Northbound there is one sideroad - with speed change lanes - and only 5 property accesses. Southbound there's two sideroads (again, with speed change lanes so they wouldn't disqualify it as a freeway), and four properties with access. Not mention the fact that de facto speed change lanes do exist for those entrances as drivers make use of the shoulders for that.

Just because it's not a full freeway doesn't mean it has to be "endured". There are countless sections of proper freeway with far (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.063902,-76.1568755,1604m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&hl=en) worse (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.293691,-79.8921644,799m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&hl=en) design (https://www.google.ca/maps/@33.5980507,-96.6058892,3a,75y,8.68h,87.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srAVbrnxD3uavJZWvX9hkYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&hl=en) features (https://www.google.ca/maps/@40.915726,-75.6473816,3a,75y,342.67h,85.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK1Pfr_BFloH8JTINJeE1_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&hl=en) that will slow down traffic or be far more succeptable to collisions than that section of Hwy 35/115.


Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
ON 11 is a textbook case.

Of a RIRO expressway in Simcoe County and a US-style divided highway in Parry Sound-Muskoka Districts? Yup. It's not a freeway, nor is it supposed to be. Will it be eventually? Yes, that's the ultimate plan. But like those countless other roads like US-15 in PA or US-169 southwest of Minneapolis, right now it serves a function greater than a two lane highway but less than a freeway.


Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
ON 406 was fixed.  ON 137 is forgivable.

Forgivable? It's a two lane arterial highway between a two lane bridge and the border. It takes relatively low volumes. There's no benefit to upgrading it. If anything, the two lane portion of I-81 (with entrances!) at the southern TIB are far more problematic than that bit of Hwy 137 on the island there.

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
Major Breezewood between ON 417 and A-5.

The problem there isn't freeway-freeway connectivity. The problem is trucks through downtown Ottawa. Considering the conceptual tunnel plan (estimated at $2 billion) didn't even include a freeway connection, that really speaks to what the real problem is.

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
-Nova Scotia: Similar to New Brunswick though less extreme, but there is a plan to fix it, so I'll let it slide.

Yet the numerous plans to upgrade most of Ontario's US-style and RIRO highways you won't?  :hmmm:

Quote from: vdeane on August 10, 2017, 01:53:30 PM
-Newfoundland and Labrador: Really the only complaint I have about them is the signage and use of sequential exit numbers, neither of which is applicable to this thread.  The population density does not warrant connecting the two freeway sections of TCH 1.

Haha, yup.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 14, 2017, 10:22:16 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 14, 2017, 04:40:41 PM
Yes, it's part of the plaza, where it sends trucks for inspection on one side of the highway to the other. If you're going to go with completely freeway design standards (which again, in the low speed interrupted flow conditions in the vicinity of border inspections makes ZERO sense), then having low speed truck cross traffic is the second worst case scenario. If you accept it as not a freeway as the volumes and driver expectancy will allow for it, then it's not a problem.
FYI, I favor the removal of the border stations ASAP.  A lack of freeway-standard facilities would become an issue if our politicians came to their senses and gave us a North American Schengen Area.  One should not have to justify themselves to an authoritarian government official with God-like authority within their little complex to cross a line on a map.

At least as long as the Mourons don't cause more trouble, we should have a non-Breezewood border crossing in a few years.

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Well, freeway to a 1-2 (variable) lane section over the bridge. So, like all but the Blue Water Bridge, not a freeway cross section across the river.
Super-2s are a thing here (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.016481,-75.0256605,3a,75y,317.21h,69.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXX_DqShs6MdMP0iJ_9qDbg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).

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And how is that a problem? How is it a problem on a road with a 60 km/h limit and interrupted flow in the vicinity?
See beginning of post.  If my vision came to pass, the US would be (mostly) ready (ironically), while Canada would be scrambling to make upgrades.

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If there are "a ton of at-grades" then functionally it's not a freeway. If maps say it is, then the maps are wrong.
Drop street view on the road, and it looks just like an interstate otherwise; all the roads that the vast majority of traffic would be interested in getting off at are interchanges, and it has exit numbers.  Enough said.

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And you're right, AB-2 is not an appropriate comparison to US-23 in Ohio - the latter is much busier.
THAT boggles the mind.  Calgary has over a million people.  Edmonton has 900k.  That's more than most US cities.  They're only 200 miles apart.  That's not much less dense that upstate NY.  Where are all the people driving between them?

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Considering the volumes on a lot of it are more comparable to a typical neighbourhood collector road than to an urban freeway, there might be a point to building it that way and upgrading as required.
That boggles the mind too.  Winnipeg has over 700k people, and that beltway is a typical distance away from downtown.  How is it not horribly congested?

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There's also nine times as many people, and they're far more widely distributed than in Canada.

And that's really the issue here. In the US, there's the Interstates and other freeways, then you have divided highways, and conventional highways. And it's a pretty extensive network of all. In Canada, the only place where we have that kind of developed multi-level network - and population density - is in the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor. Other than that, development are comparatively very isolated from one another. So there aside from those urban areas and specific sites where there are operation or safety concerns, there isn't the traffic to justify removing the at-grade intersections.
Most of our population is concentrated in the coasts, a distribution that was even more extreme when the interstate system was conceived.  And yet, we have them all over.

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Again, AB-2 is not supposedly a freeway, yes it stall has at-grades but volumes on that road aren't particularly high in the sections that have those. South of Calgary volumes are pretty low (~8000 vpd) to Lethbridge, south of there to I-15 they're dead (~2000 vpd). The latter daily two-way volume is less than the hourly capacity of a single freeway lane, let alone be "perfect" for four freeway lanes.
I can't imagine I-15 has much more traffic.

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Highway 17 in that area is classified as an arterial highway. The portion that was built as a freeway runs between the two junctions of RR-55 and there is not a single at-grade intersection between them.
And I suppose the question is, why was one part made a full freeway and the other part a super-2 with a couple at-grades?  Especially since ON 400 will be there eventually?

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"Endure" it? What is there to "endure" for that section? There's no cross traffic as it's a RIRO expressway, so that immediately makes it safer than a US-style divided highway. Northbound there is one sideroad - with speed change lanes - and only 5 property accesses. Southbound there's two sideroads (again, with speed change lanes so they wouldn't disqualify it as a freeway), and four properties with access. Not mention the fact that de facto speed change lanes do exist for those entrances as drivers make use of the shoulders for that.

Just because it's not a full freeway doesn't mean it has to be "endured". There are countless sections of proper freeway with far (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.063902,-76.1568755,1604m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&hl=en) worse (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.293691,-79.8921644,799m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&hl=en) design (https://www.google.ca/maps/@33.5980507,-96.6058892,3a,75y,8.68h,87.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srAVbrnxD3uavJZWvX9hkYA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&hl=en) features (https://www.google.ca/maps/@40.915726,-75.6473816,3a,75y,342.67h,85.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK1Pfr_BFloH8JTINJeE1_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en&hl=en) that will slow down traffic or be far more succeptable to collisions than that section of Hwy 35/115.
IMO freeways are the most fun type of road to drive (barring congestion, but congestion will make any road not fun to drive).  Plus it just feels weird to not have freeway connectivity between places, or to have to take a non-freeway to get between major areas (or to just get off the freeway for extended periods, period).  Maybe that's my Aspergers Syndrome and OCD talking.

Anyways, just drive NJ 17 sometime to see how congested a "RIRO expressway" can get.

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Of a RIRO expressway in Simcoe County and a US-style divided highway in Parry Sound-Muskoka Districts? Yup. It's not a freeway, nor is it supposed to be. Will it be eventually? Yes, that's the ultimate plan. But like those countless other roads like US-15 in PA or US-169 southwest of Minneapolis, right now it serves a function greater than a two lane highway but less than a freeway.
That's news to me.  I can't imagine how ON 11 would get upgraded though.  Too many businesses on the side to build a 400 series highway without bypassing it.


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Forgivable? It's a two lane arterial highway between a two lane bridge and the border. It takes relatively low volumes. There's no benefit to upgrading it. If anything, the two lane portion of I-81 (with entrances!) at the southern TIB are far more problematic than that bit of Hwy 137 on the island there.
Forgivable because upgrading ON 137 would probably damage the scenic value of Hill Island.

I wouldn't say the parking lot for the toll plaza, the maintenance shed, and ramps to/from the welcome center to be "entrances".  Nothing that's unusual for a road with toll booths.  Heck, the Thruway has tandem trailer lots (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6983514,-73.8436896,3a,75y,195.73h,89.69t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1siFwy6dBd-xChbmkco7hsHA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DiFwy6dBd-xChbmkco7hsHA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D87.793175%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656).  And as I mentioned, super-2s are a thing here.  Also forgivable because it's my favorite bridge and I don't want the experience of driving over it to be altered.

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The problem there isn't freeway-freeway connectivity. The problem is trucks through downtown Ottawa. Considering the conceptual tunnel plan (estimated at $2 billion) didn't even include a freeway connection, that really speaks to what the real problem is.
And the lack of even a planned freeway-freeway connection is a travesty.  If you're going to do something, do it right.  Why should someone living in a metro area big enough to have freeways not be able to get across the area without having to get off the freeway?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 15, 2017, 02:33:05 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 14, 2017, 10:22:16 PM
FYI, I favor the removal of the border stations ASAP.  A lack of freeway-standard facilities would become an issue if our politicians came to their senses and gave us a North American Schengen Area.  One should not have to justify themselves to an authoritarian government official with God-like authority within their little complex to cross a line on a map.

In terms of social constructs like that, I agree wholeheartedly. However, I really don't see an open border gaining political traction anytime soon. Certainly less now than I would have in years past.

Quote from: vdeane on August 14, 2017, 10:22:16 PM
Super-2s are a thing here.

I'm not a fan of Super-2 highways, as they have almost all of the expense of a full freeway without the two of the three greatest advantages of them - increasing capacity and almost complete elimination of head-on collisions.

Quote
And how is that a problem? How is it a problem on a road with a 60 km/h limit and interrupted flow in the vicinity?
See beginning of post.  If my vision came to pass, the US would be (mostly) ready (ironically), while Canada would be scrambling to make upgrades.

I-91 & A-55 would be a problem, there's no real alternative to the east side so you'd probably need to grade separate it. I-5 & BC-99, I-87 & A-15 would require just cul-de-sacing the side road, which would be an incredibly minor tag-on item on the work to clear the border-related infrastructure from the mainline highway (particularly the all of the stuff to do with the Peace Arch park). No point in doing anything at the TIB to ON-137 with the bridges as a constraint and no traffic impetus. Even less impetus at I-29 & MB-75 (AADT of only 870 at the border?!) and I-15 & AB-4. The crossings at I-95 & NB-95, I-190 & QEW, I-190 & ON-405, I-69/94 & ON-402, and based on the plans likely I-75 & ON-401 would require extensive work on both sides (and outright twin/replace the Peace Bridge) in order to bring the geometry on the approaches and bridges up to freeway standards.


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Drop street view on the road, and it looks just like an interstate otherwise; all the roads that the vast majority of traffic would be interested in getting off at are interchanges, and it has exit numbers.  Enough said.

Those elements do not change the function of the road. Yes, it is divided and high speed, but as long as there are at grade intersections (for which the ultimate plan is apparently to eliminate them), then the function of the road is not a freeway. At this point, empirically speaking, in those sections where the at grade intersections are it is functionally an expressway or arterial.

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And you're right, AB-2 is not an appropriate comparison to US-23 in Ohio - the latter is much busier.
THAT boggles the mind.  Calgary has over a million people.  Edmonton has 900k.  That's more than most US cities.  They're only 200 miles apart.  That's not much less dense that upstate NY.  Where are all the people driving between them?
[/quote]

To put it in perspective, the population of the Calgary metro is about 1.2 million, 1.3 M in metro Edmonton, and about 0.167 million between. Fairly comparable in size and distance as the Albany and Rochester metro areas. Except there's twice as many people in the Utica metro and another 750 thousand in the Syracuse metro in between. And in Alberta there's next to no traffic coming from points beyond the two major cities.

Yeah, outside of those two cities, that part of the world is pretty empty of people.

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That boggles the mind too.  Winnipeg has over 700k people, and that beltway is a typical distance away from downtown.  How is it not horribly congested?

As I said, there's short sections with some decent traffic numbers where people can and do use it to commutes, but a lot of the more outlying area is pretty dead. Inter-city traffic in Western Canada is pretty minimal.

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Most of our population is concentrated in the coasts, a distribution that was even more extreme when the interstate system was conceived.  And yet, we have them all over.

That doesn't mean you need to have them, particularly from a traffic engineering standpoint. It was a political priority that in some ways was a great investment, and in other ways was a grossly overspending on things you don't objectively need.

And bear in mind, they're the Interstate and Defense Highways - building a network of freeways had a lot to do with strategic issues rather than simply economic/development issues, which is what Canada stuck to.

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I can't imagine I-15 has much more traffic.

Logically it wouldn't. Which means its tremendously overbuilt for the traffic it serves and maintaining a full freeway is sucking up far more resources than what is really needed there.

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And I suppose the question is, why was one part made a full freeway and the other part a super-2 with a couple at-grades?  Especially since ON 400 will be there eventually?

A number of political/economic factors in how we built highways back in the 70s, but from a traffic standpoint the four lane portion would likely require a few passing lanes, so rather than those spot improvements it made more sense to go all out. The balance was done as a cost-saving measure with the provision to upgrade its function from arterial to freeway. The Hwy 69 freeway was originally planned to be further east from where it is (and will be upgraded in place), and in the end it'll be roughly 50-60 years from the original planning and construction until that freeway connection and upgrade are done.

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IMO freeways are the most fun type of road to drive (barring congestion, but congestion will make any road not fun to drive).  Plus it just feels weird to not have freeway connectivity between places, or to have to take a non-freeway to get between major areas (or to just get off the freeway for extended periods, period).  Maybe that's my Aspergers Syndrome and OCD talking.

Highways 11 and 35/115 are two routes that have uninterrupted flow, no signals, no cross traffic, and and operate at... well, speeds not dissimilar to 400-series routes. Plus taking a look at the collision rates, they actually operate safer than typical Ontario freeway sections do.
Like, in terms of actual driving experience you're not missing out on freeway-type connectivity.

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Anyways, just drive NJ 17 sometime to see how congested a "RIRO expressway" can get.

It's been a while, but I believe I have driven that. That's far more heavily built up and has signals, not really comparable to routes like Hwys 11 or 35/115.

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That's news to me.  I can't imagine how ON 11 would get upgraded though.  Too many businesses on the side to build a 400 series highway without bypassing it.

There's not that many. The portion in Muskoka south of Gravenhurst will primarily be widened on alignment. The portions north and south of Orillia in Simcoe County there isn't really anything decided yet, but development is not heavy enough anywhere on there to preclude any upgrades. However, a bypass may be preferable if retaining the businesses on/near the highway is prudent.

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Forgivable because upgrading ON 137 would probably damage the scenic value of Hill Island.

I wouldn't say the parking lot for the toll plaza, the maintenance shed, and ramps to/from the welcome center to be "entrances".  Nothing that's unusual for a road with toll booths.  Heck, the Thruway has tandem trailer lots.  And as I mentioned, super-2s are a thing here.  Also forgivable because it's my favorite bridge and I don't want the experience of driving over it to be altered.

Well, to go with a strict definition, anywhere with entrances without speed change lanes like that would not be a freeway. Heck, you can even have RIRO entrances on a "freeway" like I-80/90 in Ohio (for which blowing by them at speed has about as much impact as by any other entrance on Hwy 11).

But mostly forgivable as there's no practical engineering reason to upgrade Hwy 137.

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And the lack of even a planned freeway-freeway connection is a travesty.  If you're going to do something, do it right.  Why should someone living in a metro area big enough to have freeways not be able to get across the area without having to get off the freeway?

Because there's operationally not much of an issue with that volume of traffic getting off the freeway and going through one roundabout to access the tunnel. A roundabout that will also provide access for other routes into the tunnel. Makes much more sense than spending a half billion dollars and demolishing a massive section of central Ottawa to build a freeway-freeway interchange.


While I certainly can appreciate a preference for freeways, my point is that there's preference, and then there's engineering practicality.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 15, 2017, 08:07:23 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 15, 2017, 02:33:05 PM
I-91 & A-55 would be a problem, there's no real alternative to the east side so you'd probably need to grade separate it. I-5 & BC-99, I-87 & A-15 would require just cul-de-sacing the side road, which would be an incredibly minor tag-on item on the work to clear the border-related infrastructure from the mainline highway (particularly the all of the stuff to do with the Peace Arch park). No point in doing anything at the TIB to ON-137 with the bridges as a constraint and no traffic impetus. Even less impetus at I-29 & MB-75 (AADT of only 870 at the border?!) and I-15 & AB-4. The crossings at I-95 & NB-95, I-190 & QEW, I-190 & ON-405, I-69/94 & ON-402, and based on the plans likely I-75 & ON-401 would require extensive work on both sides (and outright twin/replace the Peace Bridge) in order to bring the geometry on the approaches and bridges up to freeway standards.

BC 99 would have the issue that the neighborhood has no other outlet, so something would have to be done about that.  Not sure what the issues with many of the latter ones are; I would think I-190/ON 405 would mainly need a barrier (and restoration of the interchange that was removed), and I thought I-94/ON 402 and the planned I-75/ON 401 were already freeway-freeway?

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As I said, there's short sections with some decent traffic numbers where people can and do use it to commutes, but a lot of the more outlying area is pretty dead. Inter-city traffic in Western Canada is pretty minimal.
Even so, pretty amazing.  In the US, you'd have a ton of suburban commuter traffic clogging the road, all of which appears to be absent in Winnipeg.  In upstate NY at least, the cities themselves are actually a mere fraction of the metro area population.

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Highways 11 and 35/115 are two routes that have uninterrupted flow, no signals, no cross traffic, and and operate at... well, speeds not dissimilar to 400-series routes. Plus taking a look at the collision rates, they actually operate safer than typical Ontario freeway sections do.
Like, in terms of actual driving experience you're not missing out on freeway-type connectivity.

I guess it's the difference between looking at the system as a whole and finding gaps versus looking at an individual corridor.  As you can probably guess, I do the former more often.

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There's not that many. The portion in Muskoka south of Gravenhurst will primarily be widened on alignment. The portions north and south of Orillia in Simcoe County there isn't really anything decided yet, but development is not heavy enough anywhere on there to preclude any upgrades. However, a bypass may be preferable if retaining the businesses on/near the highway is prudent.

And the businesses don't sue to stop the construction?  On my side of the border, any such proposal would, at the very minimum, be held up in court by NIMBYs for years if not decades.  Pennsylvania can't even build an interchange between I-70 and the Turnpike because it was blocked by local businesses that would have merely been bypassed.

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Because there's operationally not much of an issue with that volume of traffic getting off the freeway and going through one roundabout to access the tunnel. A roundabout that will also provide access for other routes into the tunnel. Makes much more sense than spending a half billion dollars and demolishing a massive section of central Ottawa to build a freeway-freeway interchange.

Personally, I would have used the trumpet at exit 118 and then tunneled under, with diamond interchanges (much smaller footprint than a parclo) on either end of the tunnel.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 16, 2017, 12:20:33 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 15, 2017, 08:07:23 PM
BC 99 would have the issue that the neighborhood has no other outlet, so something would have to be done about that.  Not sure what the issues with many of the latter ones are; I would think I-190/ON 405 would mainly need a barrier (and restoration of the interchange that was removed), and I thought I-94/ON 402 and the planned I-75/ON 401 were already freeway-freeway?

Yeah, I see now that's a pedestrian bridge at the northwest end there. Shouldn't be too difficult to build a vehicular one there though.

The main issue at the others are the design standards. At the Lew-Queen and BWB, there are some horizontal curves that would definitely need straightening out if the situation were revised to free flow condition (eg, eastbound on I-69/94 the approach curve is posted with an advisory 25 mph!). Based on the plans for the Gordie Howe Bridge plazas I'd expect the situation to be even worse there, those are some pretty tight looking turns. Vertically, obviously not an issue at LQ and GH is obviously yet to be determined, but the vertical grade on the Canadian side of the BWB might meet a 70 km/h design speed, maybe 80 if you're lucky. Presumably similar on the US side. Sticking an extended 50-70 km/h speed limit on a freeway is less than desirable for sure.

Not to say any of it is insurmountable, but converting the border to a free flow condition would take some work.

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And the businesses don't sue to stop the construction?  On my side of the border, any such proposal would, at the very minimum, be held up in court by NIMBYs for years if not decades.  Pennsylvania can't even build an interchange between I-70 and the Turnpike because it was blocked by local businesses that would have merely been bypassed.

From what I gather about Breezewood, it's more of a political issue than a legal one there. And while that can really happen anywhere, it just hasn't really for the Muskoka portion of Highway 11. Simcoe is still on the back burner so that remains to be seen.

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Personally, I would have used the trumpet at exit 118 and then tunneled under, with diamond interchanges (much smaller footprint than a parclo) on either end of the tunnel.

Sorry, meant to address that in my last post but missed it.
Yeah, for years I figured Nicholas Street would be the way it would go, it looked so logical. Last year's feasibility study disagreed though, ranking the two alternatives that utilized those ramps last. Issues stemming from lack of space for staging, interference with existing infrastructure, impact to structures, and (as usual for the Ottawa area (https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/ottawa-valley-ghost-towns-memorial-lemieux-ontario)) soil stability.

The feasibility study's recommended plan would have the tunnel run from the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and connect to a new roundabout at the intersection of Vanier Parkway and Coventry Road, providing easy access to the Queensway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 16, 2017, 01:59:58 PM
I still think that dealing with 1-2 lights and a roundabout while moving between parts of the freeway network is like trying to download a file with one of the steps in between your ISP and the website's ISP being someone copying the file to a USB drive and walking it to another computer.  Even if The Flash is doing the transfer, it still involves a USB stick instead of fiber.  Certainly much better than the present situation, though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on August 16, 2017, 03:21:08 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 15, 2017, 08:07:23 PM
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As I said, there's short sections with some decent traffic numbers where people can and do use it to commutes, but a lot of the more outlying area is pretty dead. Inter-city traffic in Western Canada is pretty minimal.
Even so, pretty amazing.  In the US, you'd have a ton of suburban commuter traffic clogging the road, all of which appears to be absent in Winnipeg.  In upstate NY at least, the cities themselves are actually a mere fraction of the metro area population.

In case of Winnipeg, there is very little suburban development outside of the Perimeter Highway. There is even quite some undeveloped land within the Perimeter Highway. I suppose that most traffic within Winnipeg doesn't use the Perimeter Highway either, as it is quite a detour to use it between neighborhoods, which explains the relatively low volume of traffic for such a large city.

Also, being by far the largest city within a very large region, much truck traffic likely originates within the city, so they don't use the Perimeter Highway to bypass the city either. The amount of east-west through traffic seems to be pretty small, the AADT on Highway 17 in Northern Ontario is only around 4,000. North-south through traffic is likely even less as there are no major industrial destinations north of Winnipeg.

A traffic flow map of Winnipeg. As you can see only parts of Highway 100 are over 20,000 AADT, maxing out at 24k - 26k on several sections. That's very low for a city with a population over 700,000.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgHIYYUw.png&hash=a5365775bdaca18788ec01da8d6eb066bbf36cc4)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on August 17, 2017, 12:04:33 AM
This has been an interesting discussion of the differences between the US and Canada in programming freeway construction.  The case has been made that in Ontario at least, provision of freeways is more generous than in many US states (though cases do exist of US states building freeways for sub-10,000 AADT--my own home state has several), and I would now like to ask whether the severe winters play a role in this.  In Alaska, which also has rigorous winters, there has been at least one case of a rural highway improvement being planned to an unusual design hour volume (100th highest hour instead of the customary 30th highest hour) in order to avoid an expansion of cross-section judged unaffordable.  The underlying issue is anisotropy of traffic distribution through the year (especially summer congestion).

I would also observe that on the north side of the border we see less diversity in planning and programming practices.  Ontario and Québec combined have 61% of Canada's population (21.5 million out of 35.1 million).  In the US it takes the top 13 states (California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington) to reach the same percentage of the US population.  This spans a very broad range of planning and programming approaches, with few real commonalities other than metropolitan congestion (which has a constipating effect on statewide planning) and little coverage of the thinly populated middle of the country where freeways have been built with sub-10,000 AADT.  Some of these states have had static population over the past fifty years; others have experienced rampant population growth and are playing catch-up with little funding, notably North Carolina with its US 70 expressway (a legacy of a 1980's/1990's point-to-point four-laning program) that is now acknowledged to have been underbuilt and should have been freeway from the start.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 17, 2017, 11:38:47 AM
Quote from: vdeane on August 14, 2017, 10:22:16 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on August 14, 2017, 04:40:41 PM
Yes, it's part of the plaza, where it sends trucks for inspection on one side of the highway to the other. If you're going to go with completely freeway design standards (which again, in the low speed interrupted flow conditions in the vicinity of border inspections makes ZERO sense), then having low speed truck cross traffic is the second worst case scenario. If you accept it as not a freeway as the volumes and driver expectancy will allow for it, then it's not a problem.
FYI, I favor the removal of the border stations ASAP.  A lack of freeway-standard facilities would become an issue if our politicians came to their senses and gave us a North American Schengen Area.  One should not have to justify themselves to an authoritarian government official with God-like authority within their little complex to cross a line on a map.

The problem you are going to face here oddly enough is not from the American side (well with radically different leaders of both nations, there is going to be a lot more outcry on the US side about such a proposal today rather than say 5 years ago) but from the Canadian side.

Canadian nationalism is something that unites Canadians on all political stripes in this country (I personally see Canadian nationalism as being quite silly myself but I'm a small minority), and one of the cornerstones of Canadian nationalism is of course the fierce opposition to the second amendment. (Of course, football with a 55 yard line is another cornerstone) There are many that will show you Toronto's extremely low murder rate and point the success on that merely with gun control. I don't want to delve too into politics and derail the thread, but it would be Canadians you'd have to convince for this to work.


Quote from: cbeach40
Quote from: vdeane on August 09, 2017, 01:21:26 PM
I would not compare AB 2 to Detroit/Columbus.  AB 2, at least between Calgary and Edmonton, is Alberta's 401, and functionally a freeway with a ton of at-grades (it's even marked as a freeway on maps).

NL-500 between Labrador City and Goose Bay is "Labrador's 401"* - should it be a freeway? Or is it built to the standard appropriate for its traffic?


New Brunswick would like to have a word with you, shall we mention that the city of Mississauga, Ontario has a very similar population to that whole province, (more on New Brunswick later by the way). Yet it has a freeway that is a full freeway other than for two at grade rail crossings in the Dieppe/Moncton area.

Quote from: cbeach40
Quote
Most of our population is concentrated in the coasts, a distribution that was even more extreme when the interstate system was conceived.  And yet, we have them all over.

That doesn't mean you need to have them, particularly from a traffic engineering standpoint. It was a political priority that in some ways was a great investment, and in other ways was a grossly overspending on things you don't objectively need.

And bear in mind, they're the Interstate and Defense Highways - building a network of freeways had a lot to do with strategic issues rather than simply economic/development issues, which is what Canada stuck to.


What exactly are we going to discuss when we talk about warrants. Shall we talk about that pesky Hwy 404 extension, which you laughed at me about before, or shall I point you to look at the Hwy 7/Hwy 50 intersection and show to you why a Hwy 427 extension was a hell of a lot more important.

Warrants end up being very political, in the case of the Interstate system however, they got it spot on.

As for New Brunswick, back at the roadmeet in June 2016, I jokingly said looking over an opened Hwy 407 extension that this reminds me of New Brunswick Route 2. Why is it that there is magically money available to build a 500km freeway across New Brunswick, but nothing can be done here in Ontario. Obviously NB-2 is not warranted at all, especially between Grand Falls and Fredericton, but yet it exists. The New Brunswick triangle, that is Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John has a freeway on two sides of the triangle, a population of less than 750,000 has all of this and yet I see no one complaining about how that was a waste of money.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on August 17, 2017, 12:39:28 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on August 17, 2017, 12:04:33 AM
This has been an interesting discussion of the differences between the US and Canada in programming freeway construction.  The case has been made that in Ontario at least, provision of freeways is more generous than in many US states (though cases do exist of US states building freeways for sub-10,000 AADT--my own home state has several), and I would now like to ask whether the severe winters play a role in this.  In Alaska, which also has rigorous winters, there has been at least one case of a rural highway improvement being planned to an unusual design hour volume (100th highest hour instead of the customary 30th highest hour) in order to avoid an expansion of cross-section judged unaffordable.  The underlying issue is anisotropy of traffic distribution through the year (especially summer congestion).

I would also observe that on the north side of the border we see less diversity in planning and programming practices.  Ontario and Québec combined have 61% of Canada's population (21.5 million out of 35.1 million).  In the US it takes the top 13 states (California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington) to reach the same percentage of the US population.  This spans a very broad range of planning and programming approaches, with few real commonalities other than metropolitan congestion (which has a constipating effect on statewide planning) and little coverage of the thinly populated middle of the country where freeways have been built with sub-10,000 AADT.  Some of these states have had static population over the past fifty years; others have experienced rampant population growth and are playing catch-up with little funding, notably North Carolina with its US 70 expressway (a legacy of a 1980's/1990's point-to-point four-laning program) that is now acknowledged to have been underbuilt and should have been freeway from the start.

^This is ironically the most on-point intervention in this thread that could have been qualified by what we call in French a "dialogue of the deaf".  :bigass:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2017, 02:39:09 PM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 17, 2017, 11:38:47 AM
What exactly are we going to discuss when we talk about warrants. Shall we talk about that pesky Hwy 404 extension, which you laughed at me about before, or shall I point you to look at the Hwy 7/Hwy 50 intersection and show to you why a Hwy 427 extension was a hell of a lot more important.

Warrants end up being very political, in the case of the Interstate system however, they got it spot on.

I'm not sure I understand your argument here.  The 2014 opened Hwy 404 extension was built to serve a riding that has, since its inception in 2006, voted only for a progressive conservative candidate.  The highway was built by a liberal government.

Compare this to the 427 which will be constructed in what is decidedly a liberal stronghold, and furthermore runs within the current Minister of Transportation's riding.  There are few politician's in Ontario with as much influence as the Minister of Transportation.  The idea that the 404 extension preceded the 427 extension based solely for political reasons is simply untrue.

There are a lot of factors at play in constructing a new highway.  Just as an example, the 427 extension has to cross an energy pipeline along it's alignment.  Energy pipelines are regulated federally in Canada, and crossing agreements can take a significant amount of legally wrangling to achieve.

Politics aren't irrelevant in highway building, but there are a lot of factors influencing whether a highway expansion project is shovel ready or not.  In this case, politics seem kind of irrelevant seeing as the 404 extension was built by the majority party to service an opposition riding.

That said, the fact that province has prioritized widening from Thunder Bay to Nipigon in a liberal stronghold vs. focusing on widening from Pembroke to Arnprior in a Conservative stronghold probably does have some political motives to it.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on August 17, 2017, 11:38:47 AM
As for New Brunswick, back at the roadmeet in June 2016, I jokingly said looking over an opened Hwy 407 extension that this reminds me of New Brunswick Route 2. Why is it that there is magically money available to build a 500km freeway across New Brunswick, but nothing can be done here in Ontario. Obviously NB-2 is not warranted at all, especially between Grand Falls and Fredericton, but yet it exists. The New Brunswick triangle, that is Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John has a freeway on two sides of the triangle, a population of less than 750,000 has all of this and yet I see no one complaining about how that was a waste of money.

New Brunswick got a sweet-heart 50-50 funding arrangement with the federal government to twin its portion of the Trans-Canada Highway.  If Ontario was bestowed with that kind of investment, I'm sure the province could find a way to spend it as well.

Ontario is also somewhat unique in a Canadian perspective in that the Trans-Canada Highway does not actually follow the province's principal east-west travel axis.  That is not true for any other province in Canada.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 17, 2017, 02:54:01 PM
Then enlighten me, why was Hwy 404 extension built before Hwy 427? It's not rocket science that Hwy 427 was a more urgent matter.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2017, 03:18:54 PM
^ I don't know why.  Could be for a variety of reasons as I outlined above
- Municipal planning and land use studies
- environmental reasons
- public and private stakeholder interests
- utility conflicts,
- tribunal decisions...

There are so many factors that go into a highway before shovels hit the ground, I don't know enough about either project to say to say decisively which effect it was.  And frankly, neither do you -- blaming politics is just an easy answer... 

The least plausible explanation of why the 404 was extended is that it was extended by a liberal government to serve a conservative riding to play political favour.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on August 17, 2017, 04:00:29 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 17, 2017, 03:18:54 PM
^ I don't know why.  Could be for a variety of reasons as I outlined above
- Municipal planning and land use studies
- environmental reasons
- public and private stakeholder interests
- utility conflicts,
- tribunal decisions...

There are so many factors that go into a highway before shovels hit the ground, I don't know enough about either project to say to say decisively which effect it was.  And frankly, neither do you -- blaming politics is just an easy answer... 

The least plausible explanation of why the 404 was extended is that it was extended by a liberal government to serve a conservative riding to play political favour.

Ok, neither do I, sure blaming politics isn't the right thing, but the fact remains, and you know as well as I do, York Region got tired of the MTO and the province playing games regarding this nonsense that they built a temporary extension to Zenway to alleviate the intersections of Hwy 50/Hwy 7 and Hwy 27/Hwy 7.

I was blaming politics because my mind was on the wasteful Spadina Subway extension at the time of the post, you know as well as I do on the contrary that project was 100% political but this is a roads thread, so I'll leave it at that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 17, 2017, 04:40:16 PM
Building the 427 extension without widening between the airport and Hwy 7 doesn't make sense. Said widening has been underway for three years now, with a combined cost of $97.4 Million between the two widening contracts in that project. The balance will be made up in a design-build-maintain model which includes finance, construction, and 30 years of maintenance (similar to the Herb Grey Parkway in Windsor), valued at $616 million over that time frame. The 427 extension also requires a lot of work involving municipal roads and other infrastructure.

The 404 extension on the other hand, was a greenfield development with comparatively minimal impacts to existing infrastructure. The cost to build that highway was approximately $87 million.

So why did the 404 extension open before the 427 extension? Because that project was far easier to construct, would take far less time, and far, far cheaper.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 20, 2017, 07:44:24 PM
Final top course paving has commenced on the 410 widening in Mississauga and Brampton.  This photo is looking northerly from the Courtneypark Road overpass.  Once complete in 2018, the northbound 410 will have five general purpose lanes, plus one northbound HOV lane north from the 401 to Derry Road.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F08-Aug%2F410_cl_2_north_NB_Aug17_forum.jpg&hash=623095dd6a969e07fe10ca793a697c51394bb0f8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/08-Aug/410_cl_2_north_NB_Aug17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/08-Aug/410_cl_2_north_NB_Aug17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 22, 2017, 11:37:05 AM
Environmental Assessment moving ahead on Ring of Fire access road(s).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kathleen-wynne-thunder-bay-1.4255390
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 27, 2017, 09:30:06 AM
Construction to widen Ontario's Highway 401 through Cobourg from four to six lanes has been completed in the last couple of weeks:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_474_west_WB_Aug17_forum.jpg&hash=08747fdc8d633aeef3bb6d4b8ed8f9efdcb1cd95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_474_west_WB_Aug17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_474_west_WB_Aug17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_474_east_EB_Aug17_forum.jpg&hash=b2e499819f81f8c96bc90c87ffedc35dc123fd90)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_474_east_EB_Aug17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_474_east_EB_Aug17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_477_east_Aug17_forum.jpg&hash=a8a1f6583f507294947fdbffba5b481f2ce9d980)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_477_east_Aug17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_477_east_Aug17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on September 17, 2017, 11:22:15 PM
Highway 427 becomes the second highway known with average daily volumes over 400,000 (the other being Highway 401)

Source: http://www.raqsa.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/fa027808647879788525708a004b5df8/f51986ea499a13b08525745f006dd30b/$FILE/Provincial%20Highways%20Traffic%20Volumes%202016%20AADT%20Only.pdf

401's highest count is 416,500 between Highway 400 and Weston Road

427's highest count is 400,700 between Burnhampopre and Rathburn roads.

-----

For comparison with the USA, here's some 300,000+ roads

Source is from 2012 https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstatebrief2012/

I-405 in LA - 377,500

I-75 / I-85 in Atlanta (Downtown Connector) - 358,390

I-90 / I-94 in Chicago (Dan Ryan Expressway) - 309,700

I-10 in Houston - 305,630

-----

It's hard to claim the 401 as the busiest on Earth, but based on the AADT (Average Annual Daily Traffic) counts, only the 401 and 427 have volumes over 400,000 in Canada / USA.

Other countries may publish their information differently, or not at all.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 18, 2017, 12:04:36 AM
So who's to blame? New residents in the area? People switching to cars (induced demand)?

I understand this might be seen as an interesting "achievement". But to me, it's almost frightening. That is a remarkable number of cars for what is, honestly, not a long stretch of freeway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on September 18, 2017, 12:24:08 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 18, 2017, 12:04:36 AM
So who's to blame? New residents in the area? People switching to cars (induced demand)?

I understand this might be seen as an interesting "achievement". But to me, it's almost frightening. That is a remarkable number of cars for what is, honestly, not a long stretch of freeway.

And what is also remarkable is that Toronto has a very good transit system.  You would expect high traffic counts in areas where transit is not a popular option.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on September 18, 2017, 10:31:43 AM
The GTA has a growth rate of around 100,000 people per year (similar to Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth). The 401 is located in a huge commercial / industrial zone and functions like a giant collector for suburb-suburb and circumferential traffic, which can typically not be adequately served by transit at a reasonable cost.

You can also add north-south traffic to it, for example from the 400 to the 427 (which is precisely the busiest section of Highway 401). Highway 401 runs through almost continuous urbanization for over 110 kilometers from Milton to Clarington, with the 401 serving trips to pretty much any location in the region. YYZ alone generates some 100,000 vehicles on the 409, which then feeds into the 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 18, 2017, 04:13:31 PM
A lot of people don't realize that the GTA is similar in population to the Houston metro.

Quote from: Chris on September 18, 2017, 10:31:43 AM
The GTA has a growth rate of around 100,000 people per year (similar to Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth). The 401 is located in a huge commercial / industrial zone and functions like a giant collector for suburb-suburb and circumferential traffic, which can typically not be adequately served by transit at a reasonable cost.

That is THE reason why 401 has such high counts. 401 is generally outside the region served well by transit. Outside of a box roughly formed by Jane, Eglinton and Warden, density is relatively suburban. The dense areas generally have transit service that is used (Line 1 of the subway is the second busiest single line in North America behind the Lex in New York). And yes, they are talking transit expansions, but it probably won't have much effect on traffic volumes; it'll just accommodate newcomers and relieve transit congestion.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 18, 2017, 04:35:24 PM
Of course, the busiest freeway in Houston doesn't even come close to the 427 and 401 freeways (judging by the AADT numbers in haljackey's FHWA link). But I suppose this is can be attributed to the far larger freeway network in Houston.

As long as the GTA puts focus on both freeways and public transit (as well as increasing density, as they have been), I give them two thumbs up. I'm still a firm believer in induced demand, and that the MTO's constant upgrading of freeways only encourages more people to use said freeways. But that's not really a problem, judging by how much open area there is in the GTA (and therefore, room to grow). If the GTA was Seattle or Los Angeles, it would be a different story. Those two cities are far too dense to make any 'drastic' improvements to their freeway networks, and therefore have had (and continue) to turn to transit to solve their woes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Bickendan on September 19, 2017, 12:47:15 AM
Interesting for the California counts they use 50 instead of 305 or Biz 80. I wonder if that's the only US route that makes the table.

Edit: No breakdown by Interstate in Hawaii. Odd.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on September 28, 2017, 10:13:02 PM
Quote from: cl94 on September 18, 2017, 04:13:31 PM
A lot of people don't realize that the GTA is similar in population to the Houston metro.

Quote from: Chris on September 18, 2017, 10:31:43 AM
The GTA has a growth rate of around 100,000 people per year (similar to Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth). The 401 is located in a huge commercial / industrial zone and functions like a giant collector for suburb-suburb and circumferential traffic, which can typically not be adequately served by transit at a reasonable cost.

That is THE reason why 401 has such high counts. 401 is generally outside the region served well by transit. Outside of a box roughly formed by Jane, Eglinton and Warden, density is relatively suburban. The dense areas generally have transit service that is used (Line 1 of the subway is the second busiest single line in North America behind the Lex in New York). And yes, they are talking transit expansions, but it probably won't have much effect on traffic volumes; it'll just accommodate newcomers and relieve transit congestion.

I find it fascinating that you put the eastern edge of such an urban box in Scarborough! I think Warden is way too far out there, a better eastern boundary for the urban density would be around Don Mills or so.

While the Eglinton LRT will or shall i say should be decent in the underground stretch, there is NO real rapid transit expansion taking place within this box you describe. Indeed, the streetcar routes, especially the King streetcar are bursting at the seams in terms of capacity. There is no foreseeable plan for better mobility within the box transit wise.

In other words, Toronto is a place where both roads and transit are bursting at the seams.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 30, 2017, 10:04:30 PM
Photos taken today of the Highway 401 expansion project through Mavis Road in Mississauga:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2018%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F401_cl_337_east_c_Sep17_forum.jpg&hash=662fdfd4bd4d5ff11ce65f00f7663f44c837a432)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_337_east_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_337_east_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2018%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F401_cl_337_east_EB_Sep17_forum.jpg&hash=3b2b974815a828f904d7a7dd40e012abbc5f3687)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_337_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_337_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2018%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F401_cl_340_west_EB_Sep17_forum.jpg&hash=ab00eeacfb1090657ab1ba4d0a02a0d370af2b53)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_340_west_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_340_west_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2018%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F401_cl_340_east_EB_Sep17_forum.jpg&hash=adecd5a8bc6383aae9696149c1f04638c35e669e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_340_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_340_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2015-2018%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F401_cl_341_east_EB_Sep17_forum.jpg&hash=66feb8cd37d5ea1f7f68caa654ee838725678c6f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_341_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2015-2018/2017/09-Sep/401_cl_341_east_EB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 03, 2017, 07:10:17 PM
Here's some photos of the 401/418 interchange under construction in Clarington (taken yesterday heading WB):

(https://i.imgur.com/LejAfjv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/h4Outks.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3yRgZM7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uQ82DrM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/C1AcffZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9Ub9Uum.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 03, 2017, 09:19:22 PM
Pics of the 427 widening work taken the same day as the 401 pics above (I checked out the 410 too...)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2016_427%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F427_cl_15_south_c_Sep17.jpg&hash=243eac8e9766be65b0589c10162510d7f642d0dd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_south_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_south_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2016_427%2F2017%2F09-Sep%2F427_cl_15_south_SB_Sep17.jpg&hash=c2db8f5a21171188a96ba8f2a14ed6e585b30416)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_south_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_south_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_NB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_15_north_NB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_south_SB_t_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_south_SB_t_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_south_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_south_c_Sep17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_north_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2016_427/2017/09-Sep/427_cl_16_north_SB_Sep17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 05, 2017, 06:06:47 PM
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/thunder-bay/highway-twinning-update-1.4292170 (http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/thunder-bay/highway-twinning-update-1.4292170)

QuoteFeds, province fund more northwestern Ontario highway twinning
Work scheduled for 2018 and 2019 along Highway 11-17, between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ont.


The federal government is lending support to the ongoing effort to twin Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon in northwestern Ontario.

On Friday, Ottawa announced it would contribute $83 million towards work to twin three sections of the highway:

- Coughlin Road westerly to Highway 582, with work beginning in 2019
- Coughlin Road easterly to Red Rock Road 9, with work beginning in 2019
- Highway 587 to Pearl Creek, with work beginning in 2018

Those stretches amount to about 26 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway.

"The interest in funding this is to support the province of Ontario as they continue to expand the highway ... to make a safer transportation corridor," Patty Hajdu, the MP for Thunder Bay - Superior North told CBC News. "And also to ensure [residents] have access to safe, reliable transportation that economic development for the north relies upon."

"It's really important to the region."

The total cost of expanding the three sections has yet to be determined, according to provincial officials; the remainder will be covered by Ontario.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle, a long-time proponent of twinned highways in the region, said the province is grateful for the support from the federal government.

He said the funding "will help us move the project along far more quickly ... so it's very gratefully received."

Hajdu added that as twinning efforts continue along that stretch of Highway 11-17, Ottawa may be a willing partner again.

"Provinces and communities set their priorities and we support those priorities as long as they sort of fall within [stated federal goals]," she said.

"Clearly this is one of those areas that is very aligned with our vision of a prosperous country."
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 09, 2017, 10:27:34 PM
Here's some photos of the 400 northbound. I was surprised at how much construction there was.

No shoulders in this construction zone!
(https://i.imgur.com/Cm513iT.jpg)

Right before the King City ONroute
(https://i.imgur.com/TSIR73G.jpg)

New overpass for Highway 9
(https://i.imgur.com/nNP5lTa.jpg)

Heading into Barrie
(https://i.imgur.com/oepaK6p.jpg)

Here are some aerial photos, taken from a float plane flown by my brother!

Exit 229 (Parry Sound Dr)
(https://i.imgur.com/TgnVgI5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Y6xvga5.jpg)

Somewhere south of Parry Sound (notice the fresh asphalt on the northbound lanes)
(https://i.imgur.com/CLpbwEi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3t0wYH6.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 28, 2017, 10:58:13 AM
The 401 around Waterloo Region has had a rough couple weeks recently:

https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7688769-truck-driver-killed-in-latest-highway-401-mayhem/ (https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7688769-truck-driver-killed-in-latest-highway-401-mayhem/)

Quote
CAMBRIDGE – Police are raising concerns about inattentive truckers after a devastating crash on Friday killed a truck driver and closed Highway 401 yet again.

The busy highway has been closed five times in 17 days after 10 transports or dump trucks collided at five locations in or near Waterloo Region. Two passenger vehicles were involved according to police and media reports.

"It's a major corridor with trucks going through all the time and we see these devastating crashes happening, where a truck plows into the back of stopped or slowing traffic, and look at the carnage that happens," OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said.

Even if no one is killed "it's absolutely devastating and impactful on everyone else who's trying to get around the city."

The spate of morning collisions between 4 and 8 a.m. has led to one death, two reported injuries, two eastbound closures, three westbound closures, and more than 37 hours of commuter chaos. Crashes spilled fuel, damaged asphalt, started fires and scattered debris.

QuoteEastbound lanes remain closed until about 5 p.m., backing up traffic and leading to more chaos. The OPP charged three wrong-way drivers who drove westbound on the eastbound shoulder against oncoming traffic at high speeds seeking a ramp to escape. All face careless driving charges.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 28, 2017, 11:55:59 AM
The MTO should consider using something similar to Seattle's Active Traffic Management system, which puts speed limits over each lane, allowing the DOT to lower limits when traffic starts to slow ahead, or close lanes entirely. They initially installed the system because I-5 south of Seattle is very hilly, and large wrecks would result from drivers coming over the hills at 70+ and right into the back of stopped traffic. I don't know the stats, but WSDOT has installed them on a lot of other freeways, so they must be at least somewhat effective.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SykaBz6cMDI/TJk1vcIOQuI/AAAAAAAAAPo/sB4XX7hm3Zo/s1600/816-2010+006.JPG) (https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/9CA0E75A-FA1E-4D65-8CC8-679291872E1D/0/I5ATMsignInAction350.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on October 28, 2017, 03:52:49 PM
Most of the Dutch motorway system has such lane signalling since the 1970s, combined with something called 'automatic incident detection' (AID). It automatically shows flashers and a lower speed when induction loops detect slow or stationary traffic. It is very effective and has proven to significantly reduce the number of crashes near the end of a traffic jam. The flashers are only shown in the slowdown phase where traffic has to slow down from 130 to 50 km/h, it doesn't show flashers all the way through the traffic jam.

Germany doesn't have this system and they have trucks plowing into traffic jams resulting in fatalities or serious injuries more than 300 times per year (basically every day when trucks are not banned from driving...)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 28, 2017, 07:05:44 PM
Quote from: Chris on October 28, 2017, 03:52:49 PM
Most of the Dutch motorway system has such lane signalling since the 1970s, combined with something called 'automatic incident detection' (AID). It automatically shows flashers and a lower speed when induction loops detect slow or stationary traffic. It is very effective and has proven to significantly reduce the number of crashes near the end of a traffic jam. The flashers are only shown in the slowdown phase where traffic has to slow down from 130 to 50 km/h, it doesn't show flashers all the way through the traffic jam.

Germany doesn't have this system and they have trucks plowing into traffic jams resulting in fatalities or serious injuries more than 300 times per year (basically every day when trucks are not banned from driving...)

I'm 99% sure Washington picked up the idea of per-lane active traffic management from either the UK or the Netherlands. According to this (https://youtu.be/cd0doR0Ga-I) video from WSDOT (which shows off the ATM system along the M42 near Birmingham), the system uses embedded roadway sensors, in addition to humans, to automatically detect slowdowns and change the signs (which can display quite a lot (https://goo.gl/SUGKZe) of different symbols). According to WSDOT's Grey Notebook (https://goo.gl/3aoZHs), the ATM section of I-5 south of Seattle was (from 2007-on) the only stretch of freeway in the Seattle area to see a reduction in collisions (except those that also have had ATM systems installed).

I'm really surprised Germany hasn't introduced ATM systems. You'd think the Germans, which many regard as the kings of speed, would be all over a system like this, especially since they are mental about safety (always staying right, slowing down during rain, etc).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 29, 2017, 12:47:40 AM
I was on the 401 EB at Homer Watson Blvd in Cambridge on Thursday and they had a portable VMS said up warning of "stopped trafffic ahead". The Active Traffic Management system sounds better, but this message still worked well at preparing us to stop.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on October 29, 2017, 11:50:04 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on October 29, 2017, 12:47:40 AMI was on the 401 EB at Homer Watson Blvd in Cambridge on Thursday and they had a portable VMS set up warning of "stopped trafffic ahead". The Active Traffic Management system sounds better, but this message still worked well at preparing us to stop.

I saw the same VMS when I passed through Cambridge (eastbound) last August.  It warns of tailbacks that occur as the eastbound 401 goes from three lanes to two for construction (widening, I presume) around Cambridge.  I am not sure how lane-by-lane ATM could be implemented as a temporary measure during construction projects.

The accident that receives the most focus in the linked-to article apparently occurred well west of Cambridge and a contributing factor was an earlier collision closer to the town that caused a traffic backup.  I'd presume the latter event had to do with the construction project, but this is also the time of year when the 401 can see serious accidents due to fog.

In terms of driving style I noticed something I've also seen in other jurisdictions with rigorous driving tests, like California, the UK, and Germany:  other drivers cutting from lane to lane while allowing following distance to dwindle to nothing, as if they think, "I passed a difficult test, so I should be able to do this."  My own approach, informed by research that suggests safety outcomes improve when drivers take a very pessimistic view of both their own abilities and other drivers', was simply to increase following distance and try to refrain from overtakes except in cases where I was reasonably sure I could pass other vehicles at a steady clip with a speed differential that was neither too low nor too high.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 03, 2017, 09:33:54 PM
Some up to date photos of the 407 construction in Durham Region.  These were taken earlier today.  Photos progress from west to east:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_128_west_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=e63c91ed6358ee762ecff7d488caca71f51bbc26)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_128_west_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_128_west_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_129_east_w_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=b101c5e0b02da47c4810bd74affaa3358916e285)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_129_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_129_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_130_west_c_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_130_west_c_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_130_east_w_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=21e36fc3488dae8fb9133c7a2cb4182e54909279)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_130_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_130_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_131_east_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=f427335a14a35a423a86db43d26471ab3ce01290)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_131_east_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_131_east_c_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=17bf5bb50afb2182398f5fe0a7edc17ab8c0cd77)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_east_w_Nov03-17_forum.jpg&hash=cfa6545d5756299fdbfcd88494b0dedd4ae68109)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_w_Nov03-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_east_EB_t_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=925cae640662503d7f0e61cada52a8fe8a3f6cec)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_EB_t_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_EB_t_Nov17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SignGeek101 on November 04, 2017, 11:42:08 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 03, 2017, 09:33:54 PM
Some up to date photos of the 407 construction in Durham Region.  These were taken earlier today.  Photos progress from west to east:

Seems like they will be able to open it this year after all. I thought it would get delayed like phase 1 was.

Will there be a "grace period" (no tolls) for a certain time when it opens, or will tolls start right away?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 05, 2017, 08:03:25 AM
^ I would imagine that the 407 will open in a couple of weeks.  Probably really late in November, or really early in December would be my guess.

There hasn't been any announcements about whether or not there will be a toll-free period yet.  For Phase 1 of the project, there were toll gantries at the western portion of the project which made having a toll free period much simpler.  Traffic heading east from the 407 ETR would pass under a toll gantry approaching Brock Road to terminate their trip on the ETR portion of the highway, and then would pass under another gantry to begin their trip on the provincially owned section.  That isn't true for the extension beyond Harmony, as there are no gantries between Phase 1 and Phase 2A.  It's probably not impossible to have a toll-free period, it just won't be as easy to do.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 29, 2017, 10:10:12 PM
Some photos of the eastern end of Phase 2A of the 407 Extension.  The highway is starting to look very much like a highway.  Work was underway to install the expansion joints at various bridges, final grading work at ditches, landscaping, and sign installation.  That said, I think there is at least a week's worth of work remaining (maybe more).

Views looking west and east from Solina Road, just west of the Hwy 418 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_west_EB_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=0fed6776428513b29a2a4cd328a7b07df7afecc0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_EB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_EB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=23e8bd5b9bd5cbca8292336cb0c6fabedffedf88)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_west_WB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_EB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_EB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_133_east_WB_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=e31c10c02f344981b7b2981d6dce8063abac598d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_WB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_133_east_WB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

Views looking north and then south from Taunton Road along the future 418.  The 407 will end temporarily at a loop ramp to Taunton Road.  This is a very unusual configuration for the end of a freeway.  I am hoping that additional positive guidance is installed for eastbound motorists in advance of what will be a very tight curve at the start of the loop ramp.  I expect this terminus will have an elevated collision rate vs. a more typical configuration.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_cl_11_north_c_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=5ebf023f67f7e455e414713faff6155462b26f77)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_north_c_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_north_c_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_north_NB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_north_NB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_south_SB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_south_SB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

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http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_south_NB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_11_south_NB_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 29, 2017, 10:11:00 PM
Some views of the 401/418 interchange.  In recent weeks, work has been underway to erect the steel beams overtop of the 401 for the future bridges.  There have been regular overnight closures for the last week of November, with more scheduled for early December:

Driving east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_425-75_east_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=7481e005c8b735063a73ddc0b599b5be69a54383)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-75_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-75_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426_east_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=f0178bf8d01af0ab92f7c03d8849a9a5439efaec)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-25_east_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=5d476a0711d3638c1ebdcb22fd4f68e8e1b18312)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-25_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-25_east_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

Driving west:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-5_west_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=e6ea91d3f7bd3398798ac3e0627d34c5675e7b86)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-5_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-5_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-25_west_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=c4c2e010c21643907d1f7c3ef6bcb99f7007ea6b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-25_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-25_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426_west_Nov29-17_forum.jpg&hash=46a0b01fb0fa9fcec7e5e0521359cf9acfb2be15)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_west_Nov29-17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 02, 2017, 10:25:37 AM
Some photos of Highway 410 in the western end of the GTA.  Earlier this week, the Courtneypark Road interchange was reconfigured, and an additional general purpose lane was added in each direction between the 401 and Queen Street (formerly Highway 7-East):

A new subcollector was constructed (though is not finished) separating incoming traffic from the 401 ramps and traffic bound for Courtneypark from traffic entering the 410 from the 403:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_dv_0-25_north_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=b0c6b2133c6065a50408f015b099a863474956ac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_dv_0-25_north_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_dv_0-25_north_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

Three views looking southerly from Courtneypark:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_2_south_SB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=7ee1de9c76f3cbdf1b546499d0218dd5df8ea8c8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_SB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_SB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_2_south_C_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=00df7e8699580f19e3d46439c1b8920191cba419)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_2_south_NB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=f1ca7ca96583969d388633efdee958636e9a4b6a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_south_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

Looking north from Courtneypark:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_2_north_NB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=da5e69273e3466b47caeba3a5184a18e69cccc77)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_north_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_2_north_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

Southerly view from Derry:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_5_south_SB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=e6a0d3261146efd0336d6416cc5606c657992267)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_5_south_SB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_5_south_SB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

Northerly view from Derry:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2FContracts%2F2014-2026%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F410_cl_5_north_NB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=bd8cef717ee29d39e1aa4a2f94c4530e746936f1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_5_north_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/Contracts/2014-2026/2017/11-Nov/410_cl_5_north_NB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 05, 2017, 10:51:42 AM
Design and Construction Report #1 was just finalized for the 427 extension project.  It can be accessed here:

http://427expansion.ca/wp/consultation/design-and-construction-report-dcr-1/

There are some drawings towards the end of the document.  To be honest, they aren't that interesting, as they are just for clearing and grubbing, and some advanced pre-loading work, but I figured I'd post the link anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 16, 2017, 06:08:23 PM
Some recent views of the 401 widening in Cambridge:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_dv_278-9_east_ramp_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=a2ad4bcce953d27fe79204c33d2972cc23b76ac1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_dv_278-9_east_ramp_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_dv_278-9_east_ramp_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_279_west_EB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=13f3fbadf1af7a32f4cb02b92812edfe984c52c2)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_west_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_west_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_279_west_C_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=d1b11605600a60070b0314f65bda2a24f2be9a6b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_west_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_west_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_279_east_C_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=cd51eee3f3ed0285c1269c8efcad433c9037f61b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_east_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_east_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_279_east_EB_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=2798932104ee4503f5eeb3dc6157e8283b1545f3)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_east_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_279_east_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_281_west_C_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=ea1ff4860f6f38f8033c6e8464286b384e9b85f6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_west_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_west_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_281_west_WB_t_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=55da749cceaf113fead9dd82e14b368be5de298d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_west_WB_t_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_west_WB_t_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_281_east_C_Nov17_forum.jpg&hash=b192e6cb720ff19b35942219f7dd8f1ff76292ce)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_east_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_east_C_Nov17_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2FContracts%2F2014-3014%2F2017%2F11-Nov%2F401_cl_281_east_EB_Nov17_Forum.jpg&hash=77b9c901468cd794fc5eaa2e5891f44aa7ec5d23)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_east_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/Contracts/2014-3014/2017/11-Nov/401_cl_281_east_EB_Nov17_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on December 16, 2017, 09:47:32 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 05, 2017, 10:51:42 AMDesign and Construction Report #1 was just finalized for the 427 extension project.  It can be accessed here:

http://427expansion.ca/wp/consultation/design-and-construction-report-dcr-1/

There are some drawings towards the end of the document.  To be honest, they aren't that interesting, as they are just for clearing and grubbing, and some advanced pre-loading work, but I figured I'd post the link anyways.

Do the project managers plan to continue the series far enough to show traffic design details, such as striping, signing, illumination, and so on?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 17, 2017, 09:17:23 AM
^ I would imagine there will be more details shown, but probably not specifically the signing and striping.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 02, 2018, 05:55:25 PM
Part 2A of the 407 extension opened today:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_134_east_Jan18.jpg&hash=52fdbcfca814f36b604e363e4b652fe2d8ecffab)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_134_east_Jan18_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 03, 2018, 12:13:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 02, 2018, 05:55:25 PM
Part 2A of the 407 extension opened today:

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_134_east_Jan18.jpg

Is the "highway ends .... reduce speed" sign pretty common in Ontario? Seems rather conservative. 80's already pretty slow. How much more do I need to slow down? Still another 3 kms to go.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 03, 2018, 10:06:39 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 03, 2018, 12:13:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 02, 2018, 05:55:25 PM
Part 2A of the 407 extension opened today:

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_134_east_Jan18.jpg

Is the "highway ends .... reduce speed" sign pretty common in Ontario? Seems rather conservative. 80's already pretty slow. How much more do I need to slow down? Still another 3 kms to go.

1. It's approaching a stop condition with probable queuing. Drivers should be preparing to stop.
2. I sincerely doubt you'll see anyone driving 80 there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 03, 2018, 04:03:58 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 03, 2018, 10:06:39 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 03, 2018, 12:13:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 02, 2018, 05:55:25 PM
Part 2A of the 407 extension opened today:

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_134_east_Jan18.jpg

Is the "highway ends .... reduce speed" sign pretty common in Ontario? Seems rather conservative. 80's already pretty slow. How much more do I need to slow down? Still another 3 kms to go.

1. It's approaching a stop condition with probable queuing. Drivers should be preparing to stop.
2. I sincerely doubt you'll see anyone driving 80 there.

With number 1, wouldn't overzealous warnings result in a mix of driver speeds? As in, some slowing for the stop (because they see the 'reduce speed' sign), some continuing [legally] at 80, etc.

With number 2, I don't see why people wouldn't be going 80. I assume the design speed for everything except the loops at Taunton Road is at least 100 (if not more). Why not have a 100 limit throughout the length of the freeway, with an advisory 70 or 60 sign at the curves?

Just seems kind of "nanny state" to me. That said, if this is all normal procedure for the MTO, by all means.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 03, 2018, 11:42:44 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 02, 2018, 05:55:25 PM
Part 2A of the 407 extension opened today:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_134_east_Jan18.jpg&hash=52fdbcfca814f36b604e363e4b652fe2d8ecffab)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_134_east_Jan18_24x16.jpg

What are the new exit numbers so I can update the 407 file for TM.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 04, 2018, 07:59:49 AM
^ The exit numbers are as follows:
Endfield Road is signed as 132
The 418 interchange is unnumberd (traffic doesn't have a choice, but to navigate the 80km/h off-ramp)
Taunton Road is signed as 8

Although Hwy 418 is technically open between the 407 interchange and Taunton Road, there are no signs that correspond to Hwy 418.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 04, 2018, 08:26:05 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 04, 2018, 07:59:49 AM
Although Hwy 418 is technically open between the 407 interchange and Taunton Road, there are no signs that correspond to Hwy 418.

No KMs on the short distance of 418 with shields?  And all signs @ Taunton Road mention only 407?  I might 'temporarily' extend 407 down 418 in this case.  BTW, what do you think the exit number for 418 might be in the future?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 04, 2018, 09:36:11 AM
There is no mention or any indication at Taunton Road that that section of highway is part of the 418.  Even the entrance signs for the highway sign it as "407 Toll West" and not as "To 407 Toll West" as I had expected.  If I were you, I'd probably leave the entire highway as the 407 for now and then redefine it later once more of it opens up.

I'd expect the 418 interchange to be exit 135 (though 136 isn't impossible either) from the 407, and exit 9 from the 418.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 04, 2018, 06:16:33 PM
Interesting. Sadly, I never go to the east side of the GTA, so I rarely get to see all this...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on January 10, 2018, 01:15:29 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 04, 2018, 09:36:11 AM
There is no mention or any indication at Taunton Road that that section of highway is part of the 418.  Even the entrance signs for the highway sign it as "407 Toll West" and not as "To 407 Toll West" as I had expected.  If I were you, I'd probably leave the entire highway as the 407 for now and then redefine it later once more of it opens up.

I'd expect the 418 interchange to be exit 135 (though 136 isn't impossible either) from the 407, and exit 9 from the 418.

Well, since we know that 418 will be a posted route once a tad more opens up, I went ahead and added it as a separate segment from the 407.
http://tm.teresco.org/hb/?units=miles&r=on.on407
http://tm.teresco.org/hb/?units=miles&r=on.on418
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 10, 2018, 09:58:24 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 03, 2018, 04:03:58 PM

With number 1, wouldn't overzealous warnings result in a mix of driver speeds? As in, some slowing for the stop (because they see the 'reduce speed' sign), some continuing [legally] at 80, etc.

With number 2, I don't see why people wouldn't be going 80. I assume the design speed for everything except the loops at Taunton Road is at least 100 (if not more). Why not have a 100 limit throughout the length of the freeway, with an advisory 70 or 60 sign at the curves?

Just seems kind of "nanny state" to me. That said, if this is all normal procedure for the MTO, by all means.

People won't be going 80 because they'll be coming out of a stretch of freeway. Looking at the drawings, a limit of 80 km/h is appropriate for that curve onto the future 418 alignment (because of course the 407 consortium would design to the barest of minimums *sigh*). The purpose of that sign is to try to get people down to or at least closer to 80, to eliminate that speed differential.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 10, 2018, 10:43:59 AM
^ While I understand and don't disagree with the spirit of the post that you are trying to make.  A posted 80km/h advisory speed on a freeway to freeway ramp doesn't seem like a design-build consortium "cheaping out" on design criteria.  In fact, the ramps that have opened as part of the 407 extension have been consistently some of the fastest freeway to freeway ramps in Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 10, 2018, 12:28:04 PM
I don't mind 80. I just wish it were an advisory limit. A 100 limit, with advisory limits for the curves, are how most freeways are signed in the US (even those that are incomplete).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 11, 2018, 03:11:58 PM
A project website for the new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph has been set up:

http://newhighway7.ca/

Not really much there in terms of content yet, but I thought I'd share anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2018, 12:27:07 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 10, 2018, 12:28:04 PM
I don't mind 80. I just wish it were an advisory limit. A 100 limit, with advisory limits for the curves, are how most freeways are signed in the US (even those that are incomplete).

I wasn't going to bother... but here are a bunch of examples of speed limit step down before the end of a freeway from jurisdictions that aren't Ontario:

US-219 south of Buffalo:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.4702622,-78.6961801,3a,75y,189.07h,87.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sW57-2gk6U7E951VLjKFY9Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Interstate 781, New York:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.0593564,-75.8447212,3a,15y,119.42h,88.24t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4rF30fzrfa-_Q6eYBZQLSQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Autoroute 35, Quebec:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.1401731,-73.1280665,3a,75y,179.45h,92.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSmlBOJ7afEOMkuD2eAqYcw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Autoroute 410, Quebec:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.3588713,-71.8844583,3a,75y,103.02h,81.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWF4YVAwTPRs8XdwAXHmG5g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Autoroute 73, Quebec:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@46.1391185,-70.6493127,3a,75y,164.39h,79.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s369uT9HldFNI-vl8QTZHfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Interstate 69, Indiana:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@39.0990871,-86.5626875,3a,15.8y,56.59h,88.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAeq60_QDiquixpqCz8COiQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

US-31, Southwestern Michigan:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.0600342,-86.3732749,3a,75y,22.98h,86.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6HYw4UCm5ukh5CWale4DBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Michigan Highway 5:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.4507344,-83.3474076,3a,75y,101.4h,85.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEFoscVZ0k8tM4PX4PdfzXA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

US-127, Michigan:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.201749,-84.3704249,3a,28.6y,175.69h,86.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s712SGLgaYPaKSpNCLTgMRg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Indiana 265 (before the new bridge was constructed):
https://www.google.ca/maps/@38.3464329,-85.7396297,3a,75y,86.27h,93.81t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sWXlLkSj43azgg8NDpSVprQ!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656

PA Highway 147:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@40.9662335,-76.8427172,3a,15.2y,229.02h,86.81t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ss0heOcxb3Ff3nXMj4Ssy-Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I-359, Alabama:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@33.1983315,-87.5657102,3a,82.6y,345.42h,84.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHgul2aJQWXftrqbT9PR-BQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 14, 2018, 06:40:44 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2018, 12:27:07 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 10, 2018, 12:28:04 PM
I don't mind 80. I just wish it were an advisory limit. A 100 limit, with advisory limits for the curves, are how most freeways are signed in the US (even those that are incomplete).

I wasn't going to bother... but here are a bunch of examples of speed limit step down before the end of a freeway from jurisdictions that aren't Ontario:

I appreciate you going to such great lengths to find those examples, but that's not exactly what I was getting at. I would say that it's more normal than not to lower a freeway's speed limit a short distance before the end of the road. But it wouldn't be normal for a speed limit to drop for other factors, such as bends. If the speed limit must drop, 80 would be fine. But it should be no more than a kilometer before the Taunton Road cloverleaf.

Coming from Taunton Road, what's the speed limit on the 407 (or 418)? If the limit was lowered going EB because of the curve (in addition to the ending of the freeway), the limit should also be 80 until km-marker 134 (or at least until after the flyover).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2018, 07:17:49 PM
Going the other way the speed limit is 100, with an 80km/h advsory speed through the interchange -- much like this will be once the rest of the freeway networks open.

The reason that I posted all of those examples is that I found it annoying that you purported that there was somehow something wrong with how speed limit drop was managed without:
(a) actually seeing the interchange configuration; or
(b) being a traffic engineer.

I've not designed a freeway terminus either, but I've seen enough of them to know that what has been designed here is within the realm or normalcy in both Ontario and other locales in North America.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 14, 2018, 10:23:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 14, 2018, 07:17:49 PM
Going the other way the speed limit is 100, with an 80km/h advsory speed through the interchange -- much like this will be once the rest of the freeway networks open.

The reason that I posted all of those examples is that I found it annoying that you purported that there was somehow something wrong with how speed limit drop was managed without:
(a) actually seeing the interchange configuration; or
(b) being a traffic engineer.

I've not designed a freeway terminus either, but I've seen enough of them to know that what has been designed here is within the realm or normalcy in both Ontario and other locales in North America.

My entire point from the beginning was that I thought it was a little ridiculous for the limit to drop 3 kilometres in advance. It was explained to me that this was due to the end of the freeway, plus the curve for the directional-T interchange (see cbeach40's most recent reply on 10 Jan). I thought that was kind of silly, since advisory limits were supposed to be used for curves, and lowering the limit that far in advance might cause a differential in speeds (some continuing at 100, some lowering to 80). Even you stated above that "the ramps that have opened as part of the 407 extension have been consistently some of the fastest freeway to freeway ramps in Ontario".

I may not have stated it directly, but I would prefer to see the limit remain 100 until about a kilometre before Taunton Road, with an advisory 80 limit through that curve (so an advisory 80 limit, followed by a drop to a limit of 80). I know it seems like splitting hairs, but I don't like freeways with a posted speed so far below the design speed. I totally understand lowering a limit before the end of a freeway, but that far in advance just isn't necessary. Some might even view it as a speed trap.

The one freeway terminus near me that is involved in an extension project, the WA-167 extension from Puyallup to Tacoma, has no limit drop before ending at a half-SPUI. There's no curves or loops involved, granted, but even if there were, the limit wouldn't drop 1.8 miles back. One limit drop I know of off-hand is a drop from 100 to 70 about a mile before the freeway's terminus (WA-512 approaching I-5). It's universally ignored even at just a mile long.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 15, 2018, 08:22:06 AM
I am going to circle back to my original point.

Prior to the opening of the 407 extension to Taunton Road, a bunch of engineers sat around a table and discussed how best to sign the impending terminus of the highway.  It's pretty safe to assume they were aware of the existence of advisory speed limit signs during this meeting.  Also, this phase of the 407 extension has a radically different approach to speed limit step down than the previous design for the 407 when it ended at Harmony Road.

So my question again is, what specific knowledge about how to sign the terminus of a freeway do you have that the design team didn't have?  To imply that they screwed up infers that you have knowledge that the engineers that sat around that table deciding how best to sign the terminus of the freeway did not have.  Please share this information.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on January 15, 2018, 08:28:07 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 15, 2018, 08:22:06 AM
I am going to circle back to my original point.

Prior to the opening of the 407 extension to Taunton Road, a bunch of engineers sat around a table and discussed how best to sign the impending terminus of the highway.  It's pretty safe to assume they were aware of the existence of advisory speed limit signs during this meeting.  Also, this phase of the 407 extension has a radically different approach to speed limit step down than the previous design for the 407 when it ended at Harmony Road.

So my question again is, what specific knowledge about how to sign the terminus of a freeway do you have that the design team didn't have?  To imply that they screwed up infers that you have knowledge that the engineers that sat around that table deciding how best to sign the terminus of the freeway did not have.  Please share this information.
In my state, the engineers do not set speed limits, the DOT does. There is no way to know who decides on the speed limits - it may or may not even be a licensed engineer. What specific knowledge do you have about who decided on this speed limit that we don't have? Please share this information.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 15, 2018, 08:39:38 AM
I've talked about speed limit policy with two traffic engineers who work for the MTO on many occasion.  Next?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on January 15, 2018, 10:35:41 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 10, 2018, 09:58:24 AMLooking at the drawings, a limit of 80 km/h is appropriate for that curve onto the future 418 alignment (because of course the 407 consortium would design to the barest of minimums *sigh*).

Is there a place (online?) where we may see these drawings?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 15, 2018, 11:24:32 AM
Quote from: Alps on January 15, 2018, 08:28:07 AM
In my state, the engineers do not set speed limits, the DOT does. There is no way to know who decides on the speed limits - it may or may not even be a licensed engineer. What specific knowledge do you have about who decided on this speed limit that we don't have? Please share this information.

Staff in the Regional Traffic section will analyze the highway and make recommendations based on TAC standards. The recommendation and amendment to Ontario Regulation 619: Speed Limits are written up by staff, and is sent up the chain through the Regional Office, signed off by management there. It goes to MTO Legal Services, who make sure the regulation language is properly written. It goes to the Minister's Office, where they review the rationale and if they're good with it, sign off on the amendment. It goes to the Lieutenant-Governor, and is signed into law.

Sorry I don't have a School House Rock tune to go with it.   :-D

Quote from: jakeroot on January 14, 2018, 10:23:49 PM
My entire point from the beginning was that I thought it was a little ridiculous for the limit to drop 3 kilometres in advance. It was explained to me that this was due to the end of the freeway, plus the curve for the directional-T interchange (see cbeach40's most recent reply on 10 Jan). I thought that was kind of silly, since advisory limits were supposed to be used for curves, and lowering the limit that far in advance might cause a differential in speeds (some continuing at 100, some lowering to 80). Even you stated above that "the ramps that have opened as part of the 407 extension have been consistently some of the fastest freeway to freeway ramps in Ontario".

I may not have stated it directly, but I would prefer to see the limit remain 100 until about a kilometre before Taunton Road, with an advisory 80 limit through that curve (so an advisory 80 limit, followed by a drop to a limit of 80). I know it seems like splitting hairs, but I don't like freeways with a posted speed so far below the design speed. I totally understand lowering a limit before the end of a freeway, but that far in advance just isn't necessary. Some might even view it as a speed trap.

The one freeway terminus near me that is involved in an extension project, the WA-167 extension from Puyallup to Tacoma, has no limit drop before ending at a half-SPUI. There's no curves or loops involved, granted, but even if there were, the limit wouldn't drop 1.8 miles back. One limit drop I know of off-hand is a drop from 100 to 70 about a mile before the freeway's terminus (WA-512 approaching I-5). It's universally ignored even at just a mile long.

Advisory speeds for curves apply for a small sections in isolation surrounded by long sections that meet standard - see 427 at 401 for a good example. From here the design speed of the highway lowers for the curve, but does not return to standard freeway mainline speed beyond it (in fact it gets even lower). Therefore a regulatory speed reduction is the appropriate treatment here.

Quote from: J N Winkler on January 15, 2018, 10:35:41 AM
Is there a place (online?) where we may see these drawings?

The Design Construction Reports include some engineering drawings. These are all well before construction, so there in inevitable be differences between these and the as-built drawings for the highway.
http://www.407eastphase2.ca/community_consultations
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 31, 2018, 08:47:10 AM
Looks like Brantford is finally getting moving on finishing the BSAR.
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2018/01/26/ea-planned-for-bsar-missing-link
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 09, 2018, 04:17:31 PM
GTA West corridor study is dead.
https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2018/02/ontario-not-moving-forward-with-highway-for-gta-west-corridor.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 15, 2018, 12:44:51 PM
Some news items:

New KW-Guelph Freeway - Victoria Street bridge demolition coming soon:
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8135280-victoria-street-bridge-demo-slated-for-end-of-february/

NW Ontario - Study underway for the new Nipigon River Crossing
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/public-consultation-starts-on-alternate-nipigon-river-crossing-839575

The Carillion spectacle de la merde continues
http://www.theobserver.ca/2018/02/14/whats-ontarios-planb-if-road-maintainer-carillion-canada-run-out-of-cash-asks-ndp-transportation-critic

SW Ontario - Highway 401 median barriers
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/province-to-build-concrete-barrier-along-hwy-401-s-carnage-alley-1.4520711
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on February 16, 2018, 01:36:15 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 09, 2018, 04:17:31 PM
GTA West corridor study is dead.
https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2018/02/ontario-not-moving-forward-with-highway-for-gta-west-corridor.html
Just curious whether this was needed or not? I have no idea about anything involving the GTA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 16, 2018, 09:43:44 AM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on February 16, 2018, 01:36:15 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 09, 2018, 04:17:31 PM
GTA West corridor study is dead.
https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2018/02/ontario-not-moving-forward-with-highway-for-gta-west-corridor.html
Just curious whether this was needed or not? I have no idea about anything involving the GTA.

Not now, but if in thirty years it is needed, the time to protect the corridor is now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 18, 2018, 02:29:12 PM
Some new photos of the 401/418 interchange.  Most of the structural steel seems to be up now, though there were still signs advertising of night closures later this week:

Looking east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_425-95_east_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=74dd750538117ba0423721a6af74ffa6fb7a65e9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-95_east_Feb18_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426_east_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=e7db961e32dd5a9379609ad67752ddae236a3dca)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Feb18_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-5_east_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=2d8e83513631a7d612fa60df5186df08131a14be)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-5_east_Feb18_24x16.jpg

Looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-5_west_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=8a5d6732f29d56b9570028dd53714f9b98c1dc60)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-5_west_Feb18_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-25_west_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=8f51513e118c59f0efa1b9d3d496593ebe7edb98)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-25_west_Feb18_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426_west_Feb18_forum.jpg&hash=cd80043201fec969ea9f635701a0cc35b4008ed1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_west_Feb18_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on February 25, 2018, 12:41:16 AM
I'm not sure if any of you have took a picture of it.

But they've introduced IMHO a new diagrammatical sign on Hwy 410 approaching the Hwy 403/401 interchange, and this new sign I think creates a case of informational overload. It's something along the lines of (forgive my text drawing):


{403}        ^ />          {401} EAST [AIRPORT]   
Hamilton     l /              Toronto
                 l/               {401} WEST
                 l                London


Is there any reason why this following approach was not used, because if you recall, the old version of that sign had no control cities on the 401 until you actually reached the gore point.

{403}        ^ />          {401} 
Hamilton     l /              Toronto
                 l/               London
                 l               
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 05, 2018, 07:37:56 AM
I had a few hours to kill yesterday afternoon.  This is just a quick photo of the 401 construction through Mavis Road.  Obviously not much has changed since the fall, as the contractor has not yet resumed after the winter shutdown yet:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_EB_t_Mar18.jpg&hash=e0af96c54436c0d5d414ffb28d2f97212b7cbee4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB_t_Mar18_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on March 05, 2018, 07:47:41 AM
That's kind of a weird curve on the right side.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 05, 2018, 08:05:08 AM
^ That's just to make the geometry of the collector lanes more gradual around the collector to core transfer.  The stub of concrete will be a future collector to core transfer that will feed traffic from the collector lanes back into the express once the collector lanes have been extended further west to west of Mississauga Road.  It's harder to see from this perspective, but the westbound collector lanes kind of bow out behind the pictured transport truck with a red cab also for a future set of transfers.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on March 05, 2018, 01:29:51 PM
That makes sense. Love seeing this come together and it will be nice when major work resumes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 05, 2018, 02:11:15 PM
Any recent news about the upgrades of Hwy-11 between Barrie and Orillia? The website about the upgrades of that route had vanished and the Internet Archive recent copy of that site is from May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518082344/http://www.highway11study.ca
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 05, 2018, 02:59:39 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on March 05, 2018, 02:11:15 PM
Any recent news about the upgrades of Hwy-11 between Barrie and Orillia? The website about the upgrades of that route had vanished and the Internet Archive recent copy of that site is from May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140518082344/http://www.highway11study.ca

Expansion along the Highway 11 corridor between Barrie and Washago has been shelved for the time being. It appears in neither the near nor long term programmed projects for the Ministry.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 05, 2018, 03:07:54 PM
The timing of the Highway 11 project probably doesn't really make sense to do until Highway 400 has been widened north to Barrie anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 24, 2018, 02:08:25 PM
HOV lane pilot egress/access point on the 400:

The HOV lanes that are under construction on the 400 will feature a pilot project for HOV egress/access at one of the access locations:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FOntroads%2FHwy400HOV.JPG&hash=8d501221ae512e6002d311aa6180c2317977a2d8)

https://www.vaughan.ca/council/minutes_agendas/Communications/CW_0404_17_C38.pdf
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 25, 2018, 09:30:54 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 24, 2018, 02:08:25 PM
HOV lane pilot egress/access point on the 400:

The HOV lanes that are under construction on the 400 will feature a pilot project for HOV egress/access at one of the access locations:

To clarify, two locations southbound and three northbound within the one project will have the speed change lanes between the GPL and HOT Lanes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 26, 2018, 02:07:14 PM
Does Ontario use any physical delineation between the HOV and GP lanes? Nothing is used here in Seattle along the 405, and cars seem to love jumping in and out at random.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on May 26, 2018, 02:22:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2018, 02:07:14 PM
Does Ontario use any physical delineation between the HOV and GP lanes? Nothing is used here in Seattle along the 405, and cars seem to love jumping in and out at random.

The only delineation is a striped buffer, so there isn't any physical barrier preventing people from changing lanes. I don't drive on HOV roads often enough to know how common it is for people to illegally cross the buffer.

Here's a typical HOV lane setup from the MTO website taken from this webpage (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/hov-lanes.shtml):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mto.gov.on.ca%2Fgraphics%2Fenglish%2Fontario-511%2Fenter-exit-hov-400m.jpg&hash=0fa439e4db9f7ea8cb1426734b805c995de318ee)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 27, 2018, 10:59:25 PM
I had to drive north today, so I took a look at the construction along Hwy 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury.  Work is progressing nicely on the new Pickerel River Bridge that will carry the future Highway 69/400 over the river.  There isn't much to see at the French River bridge further north as of yet.  I did take a bunch more photos of this bridge, and the construction in general, so if I get a chance over the next few days, I might post a few more images:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69N_structure_Pickeral_west_May18_forum.jpg&hash=9540ddd020cfe94bb5b5caaba5f0c33eb0088c44)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_structure_Pickeral_west_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_structure_Pickeral_west_May18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 28, 2018, 09:10:49 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2018, 02:22:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2018, 02:07:14 PM
Does Ontario use any physical delineation between the HOV and GP lanes? Nothing is used here in Seattle along the 405, and cars seem to love jumping in and out at random.
The only delineation is a striped buffer, so there isn't any physical barrier preventing people from changing lanes. I don't drive on HOV roads often enough to know how common it is for people to illegally cross the buffer.

In my experience it's not surprising to see it but not rampant. And notably it tends to be people going GPL to HOT, not the inverse.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 03:44:52 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 28, 2018, 09:10:49 AM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2018, 02:22:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2018, 02:07:14 PM
Does Ontario use any physical delineation between the HOV and GP lanes? Nothing is used here in Seattle along the 405, and cars seem to love jumping in and out at random.
The only delineation is a striped buffer, so there isn't any physical barrier preventing people from changing lanes. I don't drive on HOV roads often enough to know how common it is for people to illegally cross the buffer.
In my experience it's not surprising to see it but not rampant. And notably it tends to be people going GPL to HOT, not the inverse.

I think a double white (especially with chevron markings) holds exceptional weight in Canada, due to the illegality of crossing any solid white line, never mind two! Here in the US, crossing a solid white is only discouraged, so it's possible that some drivers are not correctly interpreting double solid to mean "illegal to cross" (instead, "you really shouldn't cross here").
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 09:57:58 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 03:44:52 AM
I think a double white (especially with chevron markings) holds exceptional weight in Canada, due to the illegality of crossing any solid white line, never mind two! Here in the US, crossing a solid white is only discouraged, so it's possible that some drivers are not correctly interpreting double solid to mean "illegal to cross" (instead, "you really shouldn't cross here").

In Ontario pavement markings - white, yellow, otherwise - hold no legal weight unless accompanied by a regulatory sign. Can't speak for other provinces but that's the case here.
In spite of that being taught in driver's ed, a surprisingly large number of people here don't even know that.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MNHighwayMan on May 29, 2018, 10:26:49 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 09:57:58 AM
In Ontario pavement markings - white, yellow, otherwise - hold no legal weight unless accompanied by a regulatory sign. Can't speak for other provinces but that's the case here.
In spite of that being taught in driver's ed, a surprisingly large number of people here don't even know that.

What's even the point of using different colors if they have no enforceable difference in meaning?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 11:33:18 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 09:57:58 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 03:44:52 AM
I think a double white (especially with chevron markings) holds exceptional weight in Canada, due to the illegality of crossing any solid white line, never mind two! Here in the US, crossing a solid white is only discouraged, so it's possible that some drivers are not correctly interpreting double solid to mean "illegal to cross" (instead, "you really shouldn't cross here").

In Ontario pavement markings - white, yellow, otherwise - hold no legal weight unless accompanied by a regulatory sign. Can't speak for other provinces but that's the case here.
In spite of that being taught in driver's ed, a surprisingly large number of people here don't even know that.

Hmm, that's interesting. In BC, it's definitely not legal to cross a solid white.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 02:40:31 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on May 29, 2018, 10:26:49 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 09:57:58 AM
In Ontario pavement markings - white, yellow, otherwise - hold no legal weight unless accompanied by a regulatory sign. Can't speak for other provinces but that's the case here.
In spite of that being taught in driver's ed, a surprisingly large number of people here don't even know that.

What's even the point of using different colors if they have no enforceable difference in meaning?

It's advisory. Yellow markings indicate that the road is bi-directional. White ones are for the same direction. Kind useful to recognize the difference, and know which direction other vehicles may be coming from.
There's no law against driving on the left side of the centreline. But if another vehicle approaches, you are required to yield that side of the roadway to them. The yellow line is just there to delineate where that separation should occur.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 03:39:30 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 02:40:31 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on May 29, 2018, 10:26:49 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 29, 2018, 09:57:58 AM
In Ontario pavement markings - white, yellow, otherwise - hold no legal weight unless accompanied by a regulatory sign. Can't speak for other provinces but that's the case here.
In spite of that being taught in driver's ed, a surprisingly large number of people here don't even know that.

What's even the point of using different colors if they have no enforceable difference in meaning?

It's advisory. Yellow markings indicate that the road is bi-directional. White ones are for the same direction. Kind useful to recognize the difference, and know which direction other vehicles may be coming from.
There's no law against driving on the left side of the centreline. But if another vehicle approaches, you are required to yield that side of the roadway to them. The yellow line is just there to delineate where that separation should occur.

Wow. I'm not aware of any other jurisdiction In North America with such a setup. Are there any double solid yellows in Ontario? In BC, as in the rest of Canada, single solid yellow is king. But there are many double solid yellows. While there are many signs indicating "no overtaking" in these areas, my understanding is that the double solid yellow would be enforceable on its own. And the signs were extra.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 30, 2018, 02:03:26 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 29, 2018, 03:39:30 PM
Wow. I'm not aware of any other jurisdiction In North America with such a setup. Are there any double solid yellows in Ontario? In BC, as in the rest of Canada, single solid yellow is king. But there are many double solid yellows. While there are many signs indicating "no overtaking" in these areas, my understanding is that the double solid yellow would be enforceable on its own. And the signs were extra.

Oh, double yellow is almost everywhere. Single yellow is in a small number of instances. Per OTM Book 11,
QuoteDouble line markings are only required where permissive passing opportunities must be indicated by direction of travel, where the posted speed limit is 70 km/h or more, or where additional emphasis of a passing prohibition is required.
So the instances where single yellow is actually doable is limited.

Low volume roads do not require a marked centreline at all, though the definition of low volume varies depending on roadway width.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 30, 2018, 03:45:12 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 30, 2018, 02:03:26 PM
double yellow is almost everywhere. Single yellow is in a small number of instances. Per OTM Book 11,
QuoteDouble line markings are only required where permissive passing opportunities must be indicated by direction of travel, where the posted speed limit is 70 km/h or more, or where additional emphasis of a passing prohibition is required.
So the instances where single yellow is actually doable is limited.

Reminds me of BC. Single solid yellow is pretty much the only centre-line marking used in the city (lower speed limit), whereas double solid yellow is used outside of the city (higher speed limits).

Are there any single solid yellows in Ontario along a multi-lane road? Like here (the norm along most of Vancouver's non-divided arterials): https://goo.gl/DzTFVv
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on May 30, 2018, 07:17:58 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 30, 2018, 03:45:12 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 30, 2018, 02:03:26 PM
double yellow is almost everywhere. Single yellow is in a small number of instances. Per OTM Book 11,
QuoteDouble line markings are only required where permissive passing opportunities must be indicated by direction of travel, where the posted speed limit is 70 km/h or more, or where additional emphasis of a passing prohibition is required.
So the instances where single yellow is actually doable is limited.

Reminds me of BC. Single solid yellow is pretty much the only centre-line marking used in the city (lower speed limit), whereas double solid yellow is used outside of the city (higher speed limits).

Are there any single solid yellows in Ontario along a multi-lane road? Like here (the norm along most of Vancouver's non-divided arterials): https://goo.gl/DzTFVv

I would say that single yellow lines are more common than doubles within cities.

Single yellow examples (GSV links):
River Rd E in Kitchener (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4409219,-80.4362702,3a,75y,112.57h,88.54t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sun2JCpxAMdHIR2gBgaukxg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dun2JCpxAMdHIR2gBgaukxg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D213.58609%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Bramelea Rd in Brampton (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7492949,-79.7507831,3a,90y,146.88h,89.61t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s1Ja8rLGW4IYlFAqQo_cFzg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D1Ja8rLGW4IYlFAqQo_cFzg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D52.313156%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Yonge St in Toronto (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7295832,-79.4033077,3a,75y,342.03h,92.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sYtwibt0BSL9Y88yTc0J-DQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DYtwibt0BSL9Y88yTc0J-DQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D27.721277%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Main St in Hamilton (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.241129,-79.8135801,3a,75y,93.98h,86.34t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1skFweOJWCzlscXNyJZG1Y9A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DkFweOJWCzlscXNyJZG1Y9A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D53.997654%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)

Highbury Ave in London seems to vary (GSV links).
Single yellow (https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.9935446,-81.2021872,3a,87y,181.02h,85.15t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1syHoeciwj31iSMlzxHzdsJw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DyHoeciwj31iSMlzxHzdsJw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D105.82207%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Double yellow (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.0012015,-81.2060123,3a,78.8y,149.63h,83.05t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSXycJeq82zr6wSJ7grOQcg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DSXycJeq82zr6wSJ7grOQcg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D79.01539%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 03, 2018, 07:46:59 PM
Some up to date photos of Highway 401 widening through Kitchener:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_279_west_EB_May18_forum.jpg&hash=9ce2bdb6d900603fb42efa88af8c8d71964b2966)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_west_EB_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_west_EB_May18_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_279_east_EB_May18_forum.jpg&hash=8deca376f8a06c663e4cde6b8578dd495eb39e23)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_east_EB_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_east_EB_May18_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_281_west_WB-t_May18_forum.jpg&hash=bb18e229965f6ec6a3055b17e2abf247a07becf4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_WB-t_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_WB-t_May18_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_281_east_WB-t_May18_forum.jpg&hash=58fb5e2a58142f9ef9424facadd3c833b58145c6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_WB-t_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_WB-t_May18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 03, 2018, 07:48:00 PM
A couple of up to date photos of the construction of the Hwy 9 interchange at the 400:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_55_south_c_May18_forum.jpg&hash=907e666dbc9237a9b33ea5f4211d9fe14c5a0c5d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_south_c_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_south_c_May18_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_55_north_NB_May18_forum.jpg&hash=619907112e4e3fd05a3435d9282b11ae0b16bc52)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_NB_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_NB_May18_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_55_north_t_May18_forum.jpg&hash=46fde1ffabbff5dca227380f081ce181d52a2385)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_t_May18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_t_May18_24x16.jpg)

The bridge over the canal is nearing completion, and top coarse pavement is being applied on some of the 400.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 03, 2018, 07:46:59 PM
Some up to date photos of Highway 401 widening through Kitchener:

Is this going to full 3x3x3x3 C-D system? Sure looks like it but I didn't expect it to be.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 07, 2018, 02:26:27 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 03, 2018, 07:46:59 PM
Some up to date photos of Highway 401 widening through Kitchener:

Is this going to full 3x3x3x3 C-D system? Sure looks like it but I didn't expect it to be.

It'll be 10+HOV (so 6 total lanes per direction) between 8 and 24. The staging does make it look a bit like a complex freeway but it'll be conventional (well, with HOV) when work is completed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 07, 2018, 07:01:17 PM
Photo of the recently realigned eastbound on-ramp to Highway 401:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_forum.jpg&hash=c0f5c493b09e86c0df1d6cc23f257a848f3c4f1e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:52:11 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on June 07, 2018, 02:26:27 PM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:46:11 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 03, 2018, 07:46:59 PM
Some up to date photos of Highway 401 widening through Kitchener:

Is this going to full 3x3x3x3 C-D system? Sure looks like it but I didn't expect it to be.

It'll be 10+HOV (so 6 total lanes per direction) between 8 and 24. The staging does make it look a bit like a complex freeway but it'll be conventional (well, with HOV) when work is completed.

Which is surprising considering that the temporary median barrier has full width shoulders.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:57:35 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 07, 2018, 07:01:17 PM
Photo of the recently realigned eastbound on-ramp to Highway 401:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_forum.jpg&hash=c0f5c493b09e86c0df1d6cc23f257a848f3c4f1e)

http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_341_west_EB_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

Is there going to be a transfer there? It looks like the new collectors will split from the express.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 05:46:26 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:52:11 PM
[Which is surprising considering that the temporary median barrier has full width shoulders.

There aren't full width shoulders through the construction zone.  There are some shoulders, but they are far narrower than a typical median.

Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:57:35 PM
[Is there going to be a transfer there? It looks like the new collectors will split from the express.

There will not be a transfer there.  I'd guess when the MacLaughlan Road overpass was built the preliminary design probably did include an eastbound transfer between Mavis and Hurontario (there is one going westbound), but it wasn't included in the final design).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on June 08, 2018, 09:35:28 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 05:46:26 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:52:11 PM
[Which is surprising considering that the temporary median barrier has full width shoulders.

There aren't full width shoulders through the construction zone.  There are some shoulders, but they are far narrower than a typical median.

Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:57:35 PM
[Is there going to be a transfer there? It looks like the new collectors will split from the express.

There will not be a transfer there.  I'd guess when the MacLaughlan Road overpass was built the preliminary design probably did include an eastbound transfer between Mavis and Hurontario (there is one going westbound), but it wasn't included in the final design).

So then what's the reason for the splitting?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 11:06:56 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 08, 2018, 09:35:28 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 05:46:26 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:52:11 PM
[Which is surprising considering that the temporary median barrier has full width shoulders.

There aren't full width shoulders through the construction zone.  There are some shoulders, but they are far narrower than a typical median.

Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:57:35 PM
[Is there going to be a transfer there? It looks like the new collectors will split from the express.

There will not be a transfer there.  I'd guess when the MacLaughlan Road overpass was built the preliminary design probably did include an eastbound transfer between Mavis and Hurontario (there is one going westbound), but it wasn't included in the final design).

So then what's the reason for the splitting?

The bridge piers from the McLaughlan Road overpass.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was built several years before construction started elsewhere to widen the 401 west of the 410.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was obviously built for a different cross-section than what has ended up being constructed.  If the collectors didn't deflect out as they do, one of the collector lanes would have a bridge pier in the middle of it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 10, 2018, 09:52:40 PM
Some photos of the Nipigon River Bridge taken earlier today:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_approach_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_approach_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_approach_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_tower_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_tower_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_tower_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_railway_east_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_railway_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_NipigonRiverBridge_railway_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 10, 2018, 11:25:51 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 11:06:56 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 08, 2018, 09:35:28 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 08, 2018, 05:46:26 AM
Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:52:11 PM
[Which is surprising considering that the temporary median barrier has full width shoulders.

There aren't full width shoulders through the construction zone.  There are some shoulders, but they are far narrower than a typical median.

Quote from: Transportfan on June 07, 2018, 09:57:35 PM
[Is there going to be a transfer there? It looks like the new collectors will split from the express.

There will not be a transfer there.  I'd guess when the MacLaughlan Road overpass was built the preliminary design probably did include an eastbound transfer between Mavis and Hurontario (there is one going westbound), but it wasn't included in the final design).

So then what's the reason for the splitting?

The bridge piers from the McLaughlan Road overpass.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was built several years before construction started elsewhere to widen the 401 west of the 410.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was obviously built for a different cross-section than what has ended up being constructed.  If the collectors didn't deflect out as they do, one of the collector lanes would have a bridge pier in the middle of it.

Are you serious? The McLaughlin Road overpass was rebuilt a year or two before the old Hwy 10 overpass came down. I don't buy that explanation, someone must of royally screwed up here somewhere.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 11, 2018, 01:01:12 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 10, 2018, 11:25:51 PM
Are you serious?

Yes.  I am serious.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 10, 2018, 11:25:51 PMThe McLaughlin Road overpass was rebuilt a year or two before the old Hwy 10 overpass came down. I don't buy that explanation, someone must of royally screwed up here somewhere.

The McLaughlan Road overpass was completed in 2008.  The Hurontario Street overpass wasn't demolished until 2011.

There is so much oversight and hoops to jump through to get a shovel in the ground for any infrastructure project it's simply not possible that somebody just designed it for a phantom cross-section.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was constructed with a cost sharing agreement between the MTO and the City of Mississauga.  There was probably a lead time between the execution of the agreement between the MTO and the City of Mississauga and the actual start of construction.  The likely explanation to me, at the time the the cost-sharing agreement was signed, the cross-section of the 401 hadn't been finalized, so the overpass was built based on a preliminary design for the 401.  The cross-section of the 401 was probably changed and finalized during the time that the bridge was being constructed.

MisterSG1, if you're so smart, please enlighten me with your alternative plausible explanation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on June 11, 2018, 01:22:49 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 11, 2018, 01:01:12 AM
Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 10, 2018, 11:25:51 PM
Are you serious?

Yes.  I am serious.

Quote from: MisterSG1 on June 10, 2018, 11:25:51 PMThe McLaughlin Road overpass was rebuilt a year or two before the old Hwy 10 overpass came down. I don't buy that explanation, someone must of royally screwed up here somewhere.

The McLaughlan Road overpass was completed in 2008.  The Hurontario Street overpass wasn't demolished until 2011.

There is so much oversight and hoops to jump through to get a shovel in the ground for any infrastructure project it's simply not possible that somebody just designed it for a phantom cross-section.  The McLaughlan Road overpass was constructed with a cost sharing agreement between the MTO and the City of Mississauga.  There was probably a lead time between the execution of the agreement between the MTO and the City of Mississauga and the actual start of construction.  The likely explanation to me, at the time the the cost-sharing agreement was signed, the cross-section of the 401 hadn't been finalized, so the overpass was built based on a preliminary design for the 401.  The cross-section of the 401 was probably changed and finalized during the time that the bridge was being constructed.

MisterSG1, if you're so smart, please enlighten me with your alternative plausible explanation.

The point I'm trying to make, with these two bridges relatively close together, as in a few years apart. Unlike say the Kennedy Road overpass (early 90s I think), or the Mississauga Road overpass which I remember it being built in 2002-03.

The old Hurontario bridge if I recall did not come down until a portion of the new Hurontario bridge was opened, nevertheless, if memory serves, the entire Hurontario project was completed in 2012. The Hurontario project begun shortly after the the McLaughlin project, not years later like when you compare the Mississauga Road overpass project to McLaughlin.

Basically, I think it's somewhat sad that two closely planned projects, that it appears the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing, and thus the collector lanes have to deviate slightly to avoid colliding with a bridge pier.

Now do you understand what I'm trying to say?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 11, 2018, 08:47:43 AM
McLaughlin Road structure design was finalized April 4, 2008. The design for widening through there was finalized February 10, 2016. A lot can change in 8 years - revisions based on where transfers go, soil conditions, etc.
The McLaughlin structure contract was issued by the City of Mississauga - that tells me they were the ones who wanted it fast tracked so they took gambles on the design. Having it be overbuilt or these sorts of idiosyncrasies is always a risk that's run when you build one component before the next is finalized.*



* - this is why ones like the 401-Trafalgar and 400-Bayfield are still the original structures. Right now they're in a holding strategy with minor repairs here and there to get them through to the full redesign of their respective corridors, so they can avoid these little hiccups where they can.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 12, 2018, 11:09:47 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_600-649_images%2F600_kh_shield_small.jpg&hash=00e2b80b5cefb02144be5d104d931fdf796c227a)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on June 14, 2018, 05:32:09 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 12, 2018, 11:09:47 PM
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_600-649_images%2F600_kh_shield_small.jpg&hash=00e2b80b5cefb02144be5d104d931fdf796c227a)
That's... That's not how you do it.  :pan:

Also, it seems that this road sports both North/South and East/West bearing sings.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.7229699,-94.5849953,3a,34.5y,41.41h,79.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sG6LFOm6vUIIHV8cw3b9Ghg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.8100103,-93.91779,3a,26.3y,217.82h,88.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqZRxDkKYu9_KSUbi7KRnPw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 17, 2018, 07:15:11 PM
I went out for a bit of a walk through the future 407/418 interchange this afternoon.  I took a few photos of the highway construction underway through the area:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_w_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_t_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-75_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-75_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-75_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/418_cl_407_south_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/418_cl_407_south_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/418_cl_407_south_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_northeast_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_northeast_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_134-5_northeast_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_134-75_northeast_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_134-75_northeast_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_134-75_northeast_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on June 17, 2018, 08:14:07 PM
You may have answered this already, but how do you get out into the construction zone? You're clearly in it, based on several of the photos (#4-7 in particular).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 17, 2018, 08:38:20 PM
Park the car somewhere safe, and then go for a walk.  I always take a look around though before walking on-site.  I won't go somewhere if there are people working in the area.  I also use good judgement and try not to put myself at risk by walking somewhere I could get injured.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on June 17, 2018, 08:45:10 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 17, 2018, 08:38:20 PM
Park the car somewhere safe, and then go for a walk.  I always take a look around though before walking on-site.  I won't go somewhere if there are people working in the area.  I also use good judgement and try not to put myself at risk by walking somewhere I could get injured.

Makes sense. There's rarely downtime this time of year at many Seattle-area roadwork sites, so they're hard to get to. What stops me are all the "no trespassing signs". Call me a coward, but I'm not interested in speaking to the constabulary!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MNHighwayMan on June 18, 2018, 08:31:53 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on June 17, 2018, 08:45:10 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 17, 2018, 08:38:20 PM
Park the car somewhere safe, and then go for a walk.  I always take a look around though before walking on-site.  I won't go somewhere if there are people working in the area.  I also use good judgement and try not to put myself at risk by walking somewhere I could get injured.
Makes sense. There's rarely downtime this time of year at many Seattle-area roadwork sites, so they're hard to get to. What stops me are all the "no trespassing signs". Call me a coward, but I'm not interested in speaking to the constabulary!

Yeah, in most construction zones in the US you'd get threatened or charged with trespassing if you just wandered into an area like that. At best, you'd be escorted out, at worst, escorted out... in handcuffs, to a police vehicle.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2018, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on June 18, 2018, 08:31:53 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on June 17, 2018, 08:45:10 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 17, 2018, 08:38:20 PM
Park the car somewhere safe, and then go for a walk.  I always take a look around though before walking on-site.  I won't go somewhere if there are people working in the area.  I also use good judgement and try not to put myself at risk by walking somewhere I could get injured.
Makes sense. There's rarely downtime this time of year at many Seattle-area roadwork sites, so they're hard to get to. What stops me are all the "no trespassing signs". Call me a coward, but I'm not interested in speaking to the constabulary!

Yeah, in most construction zones in the US you'd get threatened or charged with trespassing if you just wandered into an area like that. At best, you'd be escorted out, at worst, escorted out... in handcuffs, to a police vehicle.

I don't think that's true at all.  I have walked on several US construction sites and never had a problem.  Like anything, use good juddgement, and don't go on site if there is someone who is going to ask you to leave.  Rural sites are much less problem than urban ones.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MNHighwayMan on June 18, 2018, 10:28:58 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2018, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on June 18, 2018, 08:31:53 AM
Yeah, in most construction zones in the US you'd get threatened or charged with trespassing if you just wandered into an area like that. At best, you'd be escorted out, at worst, escorted out… in handcuffs, to a police vehicle.
I don't think that's true at all.  I have walked on several US construction sites and never had a problem.  Like anything, use good juddgement, and don't go on site if there is someone who is going to ask you to leave.  Rural sites are much less problem than urban ones.

Well, you're right, it probably depends on several factors. I might've been exaggerating a little bit, but I definitely do think the consequences of being caught in the US are more likely to have worse outcomes than in Canada, especially if you're seen taking pictures, what with the collective national paranoia a lot of people seem to have.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on June 18, 2018, 10:30:14 AM
I've followed AsphaltPlanet's approach at many construction sites over the years and not had a problem.  The 2013 Wichita road meet included a stop at the I-235/13th Street flyover, which was then under construction, and several of us inspected pier foundations without being bothered.  This was in a suburban setting next to a flood control levee, with easy access from neighborhood streets.

I haven't checked how many construction contracts in the US include requirements to maintain perimeter security in their specifications, let alone include appurtenances such as site fencing as pay items.  The general rule of thumb is that unless there is a clear justification in terms of liability or loss prevention, contractors don't want to shrink their profit margins by paying extra for site security.  They will take it seriously, however, for projects in bad urban neighborhoods where there is a real risk of materials or equipment being stolen.

In the EU it may be different because construction contracts (presumably in response to an EU directive) invariably have a health-and-safety section in their documentation that addresses site safety, such as requirements for protective apparel.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on June 18, 2018, 01:48:31 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on June 18, 2018, 10:30:14 AM
In the EU it may be different because construction contracts (presumably in response to an EU directive) invariably have a health-and-safety section in their documentation that addresses site safety, such as requirements for protective apparel.

Warnings for such protective apparel are all over fenced construction sites here. Virtually all construction sites I've seen have hard-hat warnings in Washington. I believe OSHA laws here in WA are pretty similar to CA, which may explain all the warnings.

When Steve, myself, and several others attempted to visit the the 520 construction site in the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle (back in 2014), we were politely told to leave. Security immediately located us. No police involved but they weren't letting us continue. There wasn't any construction occuring that day; I think the security guard was the only one there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2018, 02:58:01 PM
At the 2004 Ontario Roads Meet in Hamilton, security asked us to the leave the site when we were checking out the then under construction Red Hill Valley Parkway.  It's been a long time (more than 14 years!), but I think the security staff may have watched us until we left.

I have also been scolded for taking photos of the 401 extension in Windsor.  While I was in an area that didn't have construction equipment working, I was there on a weekday so there was a lot of activity around the site.

Both those examples were projects in urban areas.  Rural areas are less likely to have looky-loos, so security is less-stringent, particularly on a Sunday.

Off the top of my head I remember checking out construction for the US-219 extension south of Buffalo, and I-99 in Pennsylvania and not having any problems.  When I visited Seattle a couple of years ago, I didn't venture into the SR-520 construction site, or the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project since there was so much active construction.  I did venture up to a semi-accessible public vantage point to take a photo of the Alaskan Viaduct construction project when I was there however.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2018, 07:49:43 PM
Additional views of the 407 taken east of the 418 interchange

Looking west and then east from the Liberty Street overpass in Bomanville:
(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_w_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

Highway 407 crosses a small creek west of the Darlington/Clark Townline interchange:
(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_t_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142-5_southeast_Apr18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142-5_southeast_Apr18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142-5_southeast_Apr18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142_east_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_142_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

Looking west and then east from the Darlington/Clark Townline Overpass:
(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_w_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_w_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_Jun18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 28, 2018, 01:27:49 PM
A recent view of the 401 widening through Mississauga, taken earlier this week:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Jun25-18_forum.jpg&hash=db91f4d40209df2bd90fec45ecffbd58160cf0c1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Jun25-18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Jun25-18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 29, 2018, 03:03:09 PM
Some views of the twinning work underway between Nipigon and Red Rock, northeasterly of Thunder Bay, Ontario.  These photos were taken by me just over two weeks ago:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1335_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1335_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1335_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1338_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1338_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1338_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1341_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1341_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1341_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1343_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1343_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1343_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 30, 2018, 12:42:18 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 28, 2018, 01:27:49 PM

Some views of the twinning work underway between Nipigon and Red Rock, northeasterly of Thunder Bay, Ontario.  These photos were taken by me just over two weeks ago.

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1337_west_Jun18_24x16.jpg)

That photo reminded me a bit of PQ-175 twinning in the Laurentides Park a decade ago.  Being in the Canadian shield and transmission power lines who follow the roads, there's some similarities when we compared some photos posted by Richard3.
https://richard3.net/2008/09/01/route-175-1-au-camp-jacques-cartier/
https://richard3.net/2008/09/22/qc-175-entre-laterriere-et-la-route-169/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 25, 2018, 01:25:55 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2018, 02:22:34 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 26, 2018, 02:07:14 PM
Does Ontario use any physical delineation between the HOV and GP lanes? Nothing is used here in Seattle along the 405, and cars seem to love jumping in and out at random.

The only delineation is a striped buffer, so there isn't any physical barrier preventing people from changing lanes. I don't drive on HOV roads often enough to know how common it is for people to illegally cross the buffer.

Here's a typical HOV lane setup from the MTO website taken from this webpage (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/hov-lanes.shtml):
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mto.gov.on.ca%2Fgraphics%2Fenglish%2Fontario-511%2Fenter-exit-hov-400m.jpg&hash=0fa439e4db9f7ea8cb1426734b805c995de318ee)

People jump across the lanes. It's not common, but it's not uncommon either.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 09, 2018, 07:33:17 AM
A couple of photos of the construction of the 407 extension:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_west_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_east_t_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_east_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_140_east_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_w_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_w_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_142_east_w_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_143_east_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_143_east_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_143_east_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_west_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_t_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_143_east_t_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_145-1_north_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_145-1_north_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_structure_145-1_north_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145_west_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145-1_west_Aug18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145-1_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_145-1_west_Aug18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 22, 2018, 10:08:04 PM
Photos of the Highway 69 widening project near French River.  The bridge in the photo will carry Highway 69 (400) over top of the Pickerel River.

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03500_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03500_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03500_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03505_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03505_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03505_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03511_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03511_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03511_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03518_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03518_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03518_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03520_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03520_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03520_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03527_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03527_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03527_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03529_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03529_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69N_Sep18_DSC03529_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 24, 2018, 07:13:19 PM
(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01295_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01295_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01295_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01309_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01309_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01309_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01336_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01336_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01336_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01346_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01346_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC01346_Sep18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on September 26, 2018, 02:28:25 AM
Wow, looking pretty nice so far!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 01, 2018, 09:40:13 AM
Some photos of the recently twinned section of Trans Canada Highway between Red Rock and Nipigon.  The eastbound lanes are finished, but construction is still ongoing on the westbound lanes.

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1342-5_east_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1342-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1342-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-8_east_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-8_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-8_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-5_east_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_dv_1341-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_w_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_w_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_w_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_east_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_east_Sep18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 01, 2018, 09:40:34 AM
Also, staying in Ontario, construction to widen the 400 through the Highway 9 interchange is nearing completion:
(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_61-5_south_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_61-5_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_61-5_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-5_south_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-5_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-5_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-1_south_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-1_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_dv_55-1_south_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_NB_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_NB_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_north_NB_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_south_SB_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_south_SB_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_55_south_SB_Sep18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 01, 2018, 02:01:46 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 01, 2018, 09:40:13 AM
Some photos of the recently twinned section of Trans Canada Highway between Red Rock and Nipigon.  The eastbound lanes are finished, but construction is still ongoing on the westbound lanes.

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_1336-5_west_t_Sep18_24x16.jpg)

Very wide median! Is that the standard width for rural divided highways in Ontario? Wide medians are unusual over here in BC.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 01, 2018, 03:49:00 PM
Wide medians are pretty common in Ontario.  Anywhere between 22.5m and 30m are pretty well the standard.  I think this highway has a 30m wide median.

I know BC tends to build narrower highways, but I wouldn't consider BC to be the hallmark of good highway design either.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 01, 2018, 04:32:27 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 01, 2018, 03:49:00 PM
I know BC tends to build narrower highways, but I wouldn't consider BC to be the hallmark of good highway design either.

Lol that's putting it lightly. they can build a damn good expressway, but freeway? An urban freeway, sure. But rural? No, Ontario's kind of got that in the bag.

With that said, I would say the Europeans probably have the best freeways, and they usually have pretty narrow medians. Doubt there's really any correlation, especially as Ontario uses plenty of narrow medians in metro areas too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bing101 on October 21, 2018, 03:06:59 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv8xbMEGRes


Freeway Franks does a tour on ON-6.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on October 22, 2018, 10:38:02 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on October 01, 2018, 04:32:27 PMWith that said, I would say the Europeans probably have the best freeways, and they usually have pretty narrow medians. Doubt there's really any correlation, especially as Ontario uses plenty of narrow medians in metro areas too.

European farm sizes used to be pretty small during the freeway construction era, so they wanted to take as little land as needed. At that time the output per hectare was also much lower than present-day, so they needed large farming areas to feed the population. The higher land values also made a median barrier instead of a wide grassy median more profitable despite the higher construction cost.

Canadian farms are larger than European ones, the average farm size in Saskatchewan is over 700 hectares, while it is only some 55 hectares in France and Germany and that is an historic high as farms became mechanized and consolidated into larger operations over the past 50 years.

Wide medians were never common in Europe, even in sparsely populated rural areas of France and Spain they typically don't have a wide median. There are some wide medians here and there but they aren't the norm.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 02, 2018, 01:31:49 PM
A few recent photos of the Highway 401 widening project through Western Mississauga taken during October:

They diverted traffic to the eastbound collector lanes a few weeks ago through the Mavis Road interchange.  For whatever reason they only made the temporary ramp to the Express Lanes between Mavis and Hurontario a single lane ramp.  I don't know why they thought that would be a good idea, traffic is totally snarled on the eastbound 401 for pretty much all hours of the day now.  They made the same mistake during the project to open extend the collectors through Hurontario a few years ago and that was a nightmare too.

The eastbound collector lanes opened last night through Mavis Road.  I took a bunch of photos of the construction this morning, but I'm going to start first with this one:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Oct22-18_forum.jpg&hash=44a08efd91f2a8b16c6e0d4f60f8021e95e9b144)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Oct22-18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Oct22-18_24x16.jpg)

The ramp to the westbound 403 from the eastbound 401 also opened last month.  they still haven't surfaced the opposite ramp from the eastbound 403 to the westbound 401 yet, so it'll probably be a few weeks before that connection finally opens to traffic.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_343_east_offramp_Oct18_forum.jpg&hash=dfa0812208f03c68360727ca21087636849cc718)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_343_east_offramp_Oct18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_343_east_offramp_Oct18_24x16.jpg)

From what I understand they are planning on opening the westbound collector lanes through Mavis this weekend.  If the weather is decent I think I'm going to go out that way on Sunday and take a look.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 08, 2018, 08:09:28 AM
Highway 401/418 interchange photos from last weekend:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_structure_426-5_northwest_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_structure_426-5_northwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_structure_426-5_northwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_west_ramp_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_west_ramp_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_west_ramp_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-3_southwest_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-3_southwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-3_southwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_east_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_east_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-25_east_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_WB_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_WB_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_WB_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_railway_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_railway_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_west_railway_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_east_flyover_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_east_flyover_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_426-5_east_flyover_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_southwest_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_southwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_southwest_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_structure_0-25_north_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_structure_0-25_north_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_structure_0-25_north_Nov18_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_north_Nov18_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_north_Nov18_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-25_north_Nov18_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on November 23, 2018, 06:43:47 AM
Well this is frustrating: https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9046662-new-highway-7-between-waterloo-region-and-guelph-delayed-again/ (https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9046662-new-highway-7-between-waterloo-region-and-guelph-delayed-again/). I hope this project doesn't meet the chopping block.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: haljackey on November 24, 2018, 09:52:26 AM
For The People.

Already approved transportation infrastructure projects should not be changed / cancelled by a new government. It should not be a partisan issue.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 24, 2018, 09:56:44 AM
I might just be being hopeful here, but my thought is that Highway 7 New is going to go to construction, the PC's are probably just flexing their muscles a little bit and are going to make both the NDP and one green representative use up a little bit of political capital to get it built.  But, who knows, that's just my hope.

Back before McGuinty took his first term, the then Eve's government had started widening projects for both Highway 12/48 near Beaverton and Highway 7/35 near Lindsay that the Liberals never saw to completion, so it's not as if partisanship in pavement politics is new.  Unfortunately.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bing101 on November 26, 2018, 07:56:37 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6MvIJ0rlqM


And now Asphalt Highways does a segment on Ontario 403.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on November 29, 2018, 09:17:32 AM
From what I've heard basically every expansion project is under review now - twinning Hwy 69, the 417 extension, KW-Guelph freeway, etc.
If you're dealing with a deficit it's due diligence to take a look at everything.

The other cynical approach to it is by saying they're reviewing it given the new government the opportunity to announce it all over again.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on November 29, 2018, 10:34:38 AM
I rather wish the current government would review the system for distribution of MTO tender drawings.  The annual subscription fee of $250 is now gone, but it is still necessary to prove licensure or incorporation and good standing with tax authorities.  Access to the drawings should be decoupled from entitlement to tender, as is increasingly the norm in other Canadian provinces, most US states, and an increasing number of foreign countries.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on December 04, 2018, 09:46:50 AM
Land acquisition underway for Hwy 400 expansion in Barrie.
https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/9031910-innisfil-land-expropriation-underway-to-eventually-widen-hwy-400/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: MisterSG1 on December 05, 2018, 03:06:15 PM
I don't have any pics, but there's been some serious construction action for the long awaited Hwy 427 extension as we speak. I notice a roughed in ramp from EB Rutherford to SB 427. As well as zenway having a roughed in temporary alignment south of the current intersection with Zenway and RR-99, which is obviously done to build an overpass for Zenway.

I haven't looked at the drawings in years, as in 2010 or so. But if I recall, is the plan to close off access to Zenway permanently and have Langstaff as the interchange? I know it sounds like a n00b question, but I'm just trying to make sure.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on December 06, 2018, 09:19:11 AM
It's always worth asking, projects change all the time - especially alternative delivery ones like this.

At this point though those aspects of the project have not changed - still plan to grade separate Zenway with new interchanges at Langstaff, Rutherford, and Major Mack.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bing101 on February 10, 2019, 09:51:51 PM
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 19, 2019, 10:49:51 AM
Huron Church Road (Hwy 3) between the EC Row and the Ambassador Bridge is gonna suuuuuuuuuck this summer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/planned-huron-church-construction-noise-worries-residents-business-owners-1.5035190
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dougtone on March 19, 2019, 10:11:01 PM
Visiting Ontario's oldest bridge, the Lyndhurst Bridge. Located in the eastern part of the province, this stone arch bridge was built in 1857.
https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/03/lyndhurst-bridge.html (https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/03/lyndhurst-bridge.html)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dougtone on April 16, 2019, 05:20:25 PM
Come travel the Loyalist Parkway, a scenic drive near Lake Ontario between Trenton and Kingston, Ontario.
https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/04/loyalist-parkway.html (https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/04/loyalist-parkway.html)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 01, 2019, 10:50:08 AM
CHCH reporting on potential speed limit increase:
"Minister Yurek says speed limit on 400 series highways could be raised from 100 kph. Details next week."
https://twitter.com/rath_randy/status/1123575562432389120
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on May 02, 2019, 12:34:35 AM
I can't believe they're finally do this! I never thought I'd see the day where Ontario would FINALLY raise their speed limits. It should be 120 or even 130 km/h on rural freeways and 110 in suburban areas. Only urban freeways like the DVP and Gardiner Expressway should have 100 km/h speed limits, but they're probably lower than that currently.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cu2010 on May 03, 2019, 12:27:29 PM
The real question is whether the increased speed limits would actually be enforced. They already don't enforce 100... I routinely do 115-120 down the 401 and still get passed by almost everyone.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on May 03, 2019, 01:05:14 PM
This sounds like a legalization of existing practice. If they raise the speed limit to 120 and enforce from 130, things wouldn't change much, would they?

Speed limits are raised all over the place. Many U.S. states have raised the speed limits over the past 10 years, and many European countries have raised the speed limit, for example Norway to 110, Netherlands to 130, Spain from 110 to 120 after they temporarily reduced it, Poland and Bulgaria to 140, Austria has trialled 140 and 160, Sweden has a permanent 'trial' of 120, Denmark raised it from 110 to 130, all over the past 10-15 years. Even Japan is trialling 110 and 120 km/h and I believe New Zealand is also raising the speed limit now that they have more rural motorway mileage.

Ontario and Québec are the outliers here, with a 100 km/h rural freeway speed limit.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on May 04, 2019, 06:06:06 PM
Quote from: Chris on May 03, 2019, 01:05:14 PM
Ontario and Québec are the outliers here, with a 100 km/h rural freeway speed limit.

Yeah, and that's the same speed limit East Germany had.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cu2010 on May 10, 2019, 10:34:00 PM
It's official: 402, most of 417, and a chunk of QEW (https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/05/10/highway-speed-limit-project/) to go up to 110 km/h as part of a two year pilot program. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on May 13, 2019, 09:54:29 PM
^ That's a step in the right direction. But I'm surprised that there's not more freeways than that being raised to 110 km/h. I hope this is followed up with more increased speed limits.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 14, 2019, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: compdude787 on May 13, 2019, 09:54:29 PM
^ That's a step in the right direction. But I'm surprised that there's not more freeways than that being raised to 110 km/h. I hope this is followed up with more increased speed limits.

It's rather deliberately these ones - one in each of MTO's southern Regions, and roads with very forgiving designs (all built/completely rebuilt in the 70s-80s-90s). Starting with those ones where the outcome is likely less of a surprise will be better optics than BC's slapdash approach to raising speed limits.

(though in fairness to BC, most of what they do with highways is pretty slapdash)  :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 14, 2019, 01:18:41 PM
At least I can still drive 120 on the Coq!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: compdude787 on May 14, 2019, 06:00:42 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on May 14, 2019, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: compdude787 on May 13, 2019, 09:54:29 PM
^ That's a step in the right direction. But I'm surprised that there's not more freeways than that being raised to 110 km/h. I hope this is followed up with more increased speed limits.

It's rather deliberately these ones - one in each of MTO's southern Regions, and roads with very forgiving designs (all built/completely rebuilt in the 70s-80s-90s). Starting with those ones where the outcome is likely less of a surprise will be better optics than BC's slapdash approach to raising speed limits.

(though in fairness to BC, most of what they do with highways is pretty slapdash)  :-D

I'm surprised that the 416 isn't getting higher speed limits. That one is pretty new.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 06, 2019, 10:28:14 PM
I took a few photos of the 401 widening through Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge earlier this week.  This project has taken longer to build than I would have figured.

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_west_c_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_west_c_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_west_c_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_east_EB_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_east_EB_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_279_east_EB_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_w_WB_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_w_WB_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_w_WB_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_w_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 07, 2019, 09:32:12 PM
Last weekend I took a few photos of the 401/418 interchange that is under construction near Bomanville:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05735_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05735_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05735_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05732_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05732_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05732_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05742_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05742_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05742_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05767_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05767_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05767_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05725_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05725_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05725_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05758_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05758_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05758_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05783_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05783_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_DSC05783_Jul19_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 17, 2019, 08:39:42 PM
Some photos of the 407 extension in eastern Durham Region:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_west_t_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_east_c_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_east_c_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-25_east_c_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_west_t_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_east_w_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_135-5_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_w_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_139_east_w_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_west_t_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_west_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_east_t_Jul19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_east_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_146_east_t_Jul19_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on July 18, 2019, 01:49:45 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 17, 2019, 08:39:42 PM
Some photos of the 407 extension in eastern Durham Region:

Great photos! As always.

I looked around your website but couldn't find any info. What's your camera setup like? Do you use the same camera for stills and your videos?

repost from yesterday to include quote
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 18, 2019, 10:12:47 PM
Thanks for the kind words, it truly is appreciated.

My website is pretty out of date for personal stuff like that.  These were photographed with a Sony Alpha 6300 with an 18-135 kit lens.  That's pretty much my go-to nowadays for still photography.  I use a proper video camera for road videos.  I started with a mirrorless camera, but both the Sony Alpha 6000 and 6300 are prone to overheating on long trips in the car.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 28, 2019, 10:43:08 PM
That's a pretty wide median.

Also, they really need to expand the 404 north of Highway 7... The traffic here is just... too much.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 14, 2019, 12:01:49 PM
Some recent photos of the 407 extension and future 418 taken this week from Durham Region, east of Toronto:

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-9_east_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-9_east_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-9_east_Sep19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426_east_Sep19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_west_t_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_west_t_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_west_t_Sep19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_east_w_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_east_w_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_144_east_w_Sep19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_west_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_west_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_west_Sep19_24x16.jpg)

(https://asphaltplanet.dot5hosting.com/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_east_WB_Sep19_forum.jpg)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_east_WB_Sep19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_148_east_WB_Sep19_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 14, 2019, 07:23:46 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 28, 2019, 10:43:08 PM
That's a pretty wide median.

Also, they really need to expand the 404 north of Highway 7... The traffic here is just... too much.

I begin to wonder if an extension of Hwy-412 north of Hwy-407 could be a relief route to Hwy-404?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 14, 2019, 07:44:45 PM
I would personally love to see the 412 extended northerly (I would probably drive it every day), but there aren't any plans to extend the 412 any further north, and the current interchange with the 407 is pretty prohibitive to a northern extension unless several of the ramps were re-worked.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on September 15, 2019, 02:58:22 AM
The extension there of the 407 looks pretty well completed.  Is there a date being thrown around for a possible opening?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 20, 2019, 10:30:51 AM
No, no date yet. I'd bet though it will be open by the middle of November.  The 407 is pretty well done, but there is more work to do on the 418, specifically at the 401 interchange.

I've certainly been wrong before though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 22, 2019, 05:40:25 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 20, 2019, 10:30:51 AM
The 407 is pretty well done, but there is more work to do on the 418, specifically at the 401 interchange.

Seeing this post reminds me. Any idea how did Ontarians pick up the practice of using indefinite articles before freeway numbers? It makes sense in southern California, with all the freeway names (and a populace that got used to saying "the [xxx] freeway"); Did many Ontario freeways originally feature names as well? I'm aware of some major names like the M-C Freeway and the QEW.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 23, 2019, 09:54:11 AM
^ That's a good question, I'm honestly not sure how that practice started.  But, it's definitely a thing.  Where I live it's common for someone to refer to a two-lane highway as just "Highway X", but any freeway is pretty much always "The X".

The other thing about Ontarian's that I find interesting is even among non-roadgeeks there is a certain mystique about the 401.  I don't know why it is, but Ontarian's love the 401.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 23, 2019, 08:28:21 PM
I see. I can't imagine there's many California transplants, so that's not likely. Most likely scenario I can imagine is that it started with first-gen British immigrants, who got used to saying "the [xxx]" (such as "the A1" or "the M6") back home. I know there's a sizeable number of British (and Irish) ethnic backgrounds in that area.

"The 401" does have a sort of allure to it that many might relate to California's obsession with "the 405"; both very busy, well-known routes that serve as essential arteries for their respective jurisdictions. To say that you don't like the 401 would be akin to dissing something like Route 66...it's too damn important to hate!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on September 24, 2019, 01:56:04 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 23, 2019, 09:54:11 AMThe other thing about Ontarian's that I find interesting is even among non-roadgeeks there is a certain mystique about the 401.  I don't know why it is, but Ontarian's love the 401.

This may also have raised some additional awareness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Rescue:_401
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on September 25, 2019, 03:40:17 PM
My assumption is that the Ontario convention of referring to expressways as "the 4xx" stems from British usage ("the M25", etc.). Southern Ontario is a slightly-Americanized version of the UK.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.).  While the British were using the definite article more or less from the start of road classification (of which A/B numbering is part) in 1922, this has never applied to segments of the King's Highway in Ontario other than the 400-series freeways, and the first parts of the 401 actually opened over a decade before the first British motorway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 25, 2019, 04:50:28 PM
The Government of Ontario wants your feedback on the pilot of raising the speed limit to 110 km/h. It's due by November 23, 2019.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-speed-limits-ontario-highways
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on September 25, 2019, 05:11:39 PM
I answered. I wonder if they can tell I'm not from Ontario?

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 26, 2019, 02:33:26 AM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.).  While the British were using the definite article more or less from the start of road classification (of which A/B numbering is part) in 1922, this has never applied to segments of the King's Highway in Ontario other than the 400-series freeways, and the first parts of the 401 actually opened over a decade before the first British motorway.

I had a sneaking suspicion that might be the case.

I still have two question, though: 1) were any of the freeways originally built without numbers, and/or made up of multiple route numbers?; and 2) were full freeway names ever common on signage? I only ask because California's usage of the definite article stemmed from A) original freeways either not having numbers, or being a conglomerate of many numbers), and B) freeway names being signed overhead.

I've seen the M-C Freeway shield, but was never sure if the whole name was ever signed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: tdindy88 on September 26, 2019, 08:35:37 AM
Speaking of Ontario and Southern California. When I drove around the GTA over in 2016 it honestly felt like driving in Southern California. The sheer amount of traffic and fast driving had a similar feel as it did when I went around Los Angeles in 2015. On top of using "the" in front of the route numbers, the signs all were of a similar size, kind of like many of the California highway signs. The whole highway network had a California feel to me.

Montreal on the other hand felt more like driving in New York City for some reason.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 26, 2019, 08:54:07 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 26, 2019, 02:33:26 AM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.).  While the British were using the definite article more or less from the start of road classification (of which A/B numbering is part) in 1922, this has never applied to segments of the King's Highway in Ontario other than the 400-series freeways, and the first parts of the 401 actually opened over a decade before the first British motorway.

I had a sneaking suspicion that might be the case.

I still have two question, though: 1) were any of the freeways originally built without numbers, and/or made up of multiple route numbers?; and 2) were full freeway names ever common on signage? I only ask because California's usage of the definite article stemmed from A) original freeways either not having numbers, or being a conglomerate of many numbers), and B) freeway names being signed overhead.

I've seen the M-C Freeway shield, but was never sure if the whole name was ever signed.

That's a good question.  The QEW was first "the Middle Road" before it was the QEW.
The 401, on the other hand was just Highway 2A, or maybe the Toronto By-pass.  But I'm not sure if the Toronto By-pass was ever actually used in normal parlance.  Without looking it up, I don't think the M-C Freeway designation was applied until the advance of the Centennial in 1965.
The 400 was the Toronto-Barrie Highway for for five years before it became the 400.

I've never given it much thought, but it could just be simple as a prominent traffic reporter of the time called the highways as "the" and it's just stuck for the decades that follow.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 26, 2019, 03:50:36 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 26, 2019, 08:54:07 AM

That's a good question.  The QEW was first "the Middle Road" before it was the QEW.
The 401, on the other hand was just Highway 2A, or maybe the Toronto By-pass.  But I'm not sure if the Toronto By-pass was ever actually used in normal parlance.  Without looking it up, I don't think the M-C Freeway designation was applied until the advance of the Centennial in 1965.
The 400 was the Toronto-Barrie Highway for for five years before it became the 400.

I've never given it much thought, but it could just be simple as a prominent traffic reporter of the time called the highways as "the" and it's just stuck for the decades that follow.

Hwy-401 from Scarborough to Oshawa was known as Hwy-2A. The 401 number was assigned in the early 1950s.  The Toronto by-pass name was once used briefly in maps back when northern Toronto metro was still farmland.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on September 26, 2019, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.). 
That doesn't entirely explain it.

Most of the freeways in metro Detroit have names.  Many of those names pre-date the numbering of the roads.  E.g. Detroit Industrial Expressway, Davison Freeway, Lodge Freeway.  Yet no one in the area calls them The 94, The 8 or The 10.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 26, 2019, 04:45:25 PM
Does anyone know when Highway 401 will be completed to Interstate 75 in Detroit? How about when Highway 400 will finally reach Sudbury?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: wanderer2575 on September 26, 2019, 07:22:19 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 26, 2019, 04:45:25 PM
Does anyone know when Highway 401 will be completed to Interstate 75 in Detroit? How about when Highway 400 will finally reach Sudbury?

To your first question, the last I read is that the Gordie Howe Bridge will be completed in 2024.  Assuming the Maroun family doesn't keep trying to stop it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 27, 2019, 01:28:37 AM
Quote from: GaryV on September 26, 2019, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.). 
That doesn't entirely explain it.

Most of the freeways in metro Detroit have names.  Many of those names pre-date the numbering of the roads.  E.g. Detroit Industrial Expressway, Davison Freeway, Lodge Freeway.  Yet no one in the area calls them The 94, The 8 or The 10.

I typically refer to Michigan state highways as "the M__", as the last time I was familiar with routes starting with just "M" were motorways in the UK.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on September 29, 2019, 06:08:32 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 27, 2019, 01:28:37 AM
Quote from: GaryV on September 26, 2019, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.). 
That doesn't entirely explain it.

Most of the freeways in metro Detroit have names.  Many of those names pre-date the numbering of the roads.  E.g. Detroit Industrial Expressway, Davison Freeway, Lodge Freeway.  Yet no one in the area calls them The 94, The 8 or The 10.

I typically refer to Michigan state highways as "the M__", as the last time I was familiar with routes starting with just "M" were motorways in the UK.

If you are not native to the area, the way you call something is irrelevant.  I don't believe that most people in Michigan refer to their highways as "the M 8".  It is just "M8".  But it is unique to Michigan to even refer to state highways with the "M", but then again, they put an M on each state highway marker, and I don't beleive there are any other states that do something equivalent.

I'm an L.A. native.  WHen I lived in Northern California, there was definitely some consternation I could hear from some voices when I would refer to the 5, the 99, or the 101.  I later lived in NYC area, and in the city most highways are referred to by name because so many of the parkways don't even have a number and you refer to "the LIE" or "the BQE".  (The few times that highways are referred to by number, you don't use the definite article, but none of those roads are within city limits.  You'd get blank stares if you ask about the 278, it's referred to by its name the Gowanus or the BQE or the Triboro Bridges [not RFK] or the Bruckner.)  Now I live in the DC area.  I also got some consternation referring to the 270 and the 495, but over time I learned to drop the habit in conversation, as I've been here for 18 years.  Yet the CA highways (even in the Bay Area) will always be referred to with the definite article.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on September 29, 2019, 06:09:36 AM
Quote from: tdindy88 on September 26, 2019, 08:35:37 AM
Speaking of Ontario and Southern California. When I drove around the GTA over in 2016 it honestly felt like driving in Southern California. The sheer amount of traffic and fast driving had a similar feel as it did when I went around Los Angeles in 2015. On top of using "the" in front of the route numbers, the signs all were of a similar size, kind of like many of the California highway signs. The whole highway network had a California feel to me.

Montreal on the other hand felt more like driving in New York City for some reason.

Perhaps it's the No Turn on Red.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: tdindy88 on September 29, 2019, 09:20:20 AM
Quote from: mrsman on September 29, 2019, 06:09:36 AM
Quote from: tdindy88 on September 26, 2019, 08:35:37 AM
Speaking of Ontario and Southern California. When I drove around the GTA over in 2016 it honestly felt like driving in Southern California. The sheer amount of traffic and fast driving had a similar feel as it did when I went around Los Angeles in 2015. On top of using "the" in front of the route numbers, the signs all were of a similar size, kind of like many of the California highway signs. The whole highway network had a California feel to me.

Montreal on the other hand felt more like driving in New York City for some reason.

Perhaps it's the No Turn on Red.

Didn't think about that. I was thinking more Autoroute 40 across the island. Also the main city is on an island and can only be reached via bridges and tunnels.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 29, 2019, 03:55:08 PM
Quote from: mrsman on September 29, 2019, 06:08:32 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 27, 2019, 01:28:37 AM
Quote from: GaryV on September 26, 2019, 04:06:21 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on September 25, 2019, 04:05:19 PM
I suspect the convention of prepending "the" before the numbers of 400-series freeways evolved independently in Ontario and has more to do with the first freeways being named ("the Queen Elizabeth Way," "the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway," etc.). 
That doesn't entirely explain it.

Most of the freeways in metro Detroit have names.  Many of those names pre-date the numbering of the roads.  E.g. Detroit Industrial Expressway, Davison Freeway, Lodge Freeway.  Yet no one in the area calls them The 94, The 8 or The 10.

I typically refer to Michigan state highways as "the M__", as the last time I was familiar with routes starting with just "M" were motorways in the UK.

If you are not native to the area, the way you call something is irrelevant.  I don't believe that most people in Michigan refer to their highways as "the M 8".  It is just "M8".  But it is unique to Michigan to even refer to state highways with the "M", but then again, they put an M on each state highway marker, and I don't beleive there are any other states that do something equivalent.

Well, thank you captain obvious. Of course how I say it doesn't matter to locals. My point was simply that I have referred to Michigan highways with a definite article on the few occasions that I've referred to them, because the uniqueness of the singluar "M" reminded me of UK motorway numbering schemes. I've been to the UK more than Michigan, so I got used to their style first.

Quote from: mrsman on September 29, 2019, 06:08:32 AM
I'm an L.A. native.  WHen I lived in Northern California, there was definitely some consternation I could hear from some voices when I would refer to the 5, the 99, or the 101.  I later lived in NYC area, and in the city most highways are referred to by name because so many of the parkways don't even have a number and you refer to "the LIE" or "the BQE".  (The few times that highways are referred to by number, you don't use the definite article, but none of those roads are within city limits.  You'd get blank stares if you ask about the 278, it's referred to by its name the Gowanus or the BQE or the Triboro Bridges [not RFK] or the Bruckner.)  Now I live in the DC area.  I also got some consternation referring to the 270 and the 495, but over time I learned to drop the habit in conversation, as I've been here for 18 years.  Yet the CA highways (even in the Bay Area) will always be referred to with the definite article.

In the Seattle area, there are so many people who were not born here, you can say just about anything and people will figure it out. "Route", "State Route", "Highway, "interstate", and "the" are all used. Some locals get all uptight about that last one, much like Northern California, but freeways are a thing (ie noun), so I don't see why it's a big deal.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on September 30, 2019, 11:23:19 AM
So, it's official!

110 km/h can now be seen on 3 Ontario highway segments (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-highways-higher-speed-limits-pilot-project-1.5130656)! 2 of these 3 are connections between the US border and the Toronto area, so it shouldn't be too challenging for many of us in the Eastern US to see 110 km/h in action!
I got to drive what is IMO by far most interesting of the 3 (that being the QEW between St. Catharines and Hamilton). It's the only six-lane / jersey barrier style highway of the bunch, and it's also the only one with recurring congestion issues.

My hot take is that this limit increase is going to single-handedly eliminate the weekend congestion on this stretch of highway.
Traffic already moves right along; the left lane often moves at 140 km/h or better. The OPP will still suspend your licence if you exceed 150 km/h; that law isn't changing. So basically, the upper bound of traffic speeds remains unchanged, while the lower bound goes up by 10 km/h. And that is what will work wonders for the traffic flow. You'll have the left lane moving along just that much better, so there's less braking, and the right lane will be moving along better too, so it's more viable as a passing lane if there's slow drivers in the middle and on the left.

All told, it just got a lot easier to cruise on that highway segment, and I can't wait to see what happens next summer when the real tourist traffic heats up! This is now the nearest highway to me with a limit higher than 65 mph, which I find pretty crazy. It also probably owns almost every other freeway in the Americas in terms of average traffic speeds; wouldn't surprise me one bit if the average speed is north of 85 mph (at least when there's not congestion). Hopefully New York will see what's going on west of the border, take the cue, and bump their limits up to 70 or 75 mph!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 30, 2019, 12:04:50 PM
Quote from: webny99 on September 30, 2019, 11:41:32 AM
Obviously, the QEW is a big one that isn't numbered, too. I often hear it referred to as just "the QE", and I'm tempted to start using that too, since W is such a clunky letter when spoken.

*The Queen E  :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 01:25:52 PM
Quote from: webny99 on September 30, 2019, 11:23:19 AM
So, it's official!

... by far most interesting of the 3 (that being the QEW between St. Catharines and Hamilton ...

Is it possible that the 110 signs went up before Labor Day?  I thought maybe it was posted that when we drove it on Aug 26.  Even so, it wouldn't have mattered - the road was clogged from Hamilton out through Stoney Creek and beyond - and was still clogged on our return trip later that afternoon.

As webny99 noted, it's not a "modern freeway".  Did they add the jersey barrier because they added a 3rd lane?  And the pavement was some of the worst we were on in Ontario.

402 between London and Sarnia was not posted 110 that week - I sure wish it had been!  Although 401 where not under construction and not hopelessly clogged through Toronto has some of the fastest traffic.  I was going about 115 just to not be run over.

On our return trip from Peterborough on Labor Day, people convinced us to take ETR 407.  Anyone know when we might expect to receive a bill (Michigan license plates)?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 30, 2019, 02:47:51 PM
^ Why isn't the QEW a modern freeway?  I drove it a few days ago, and the pavement condition seemed just fine.

The biggest gripe about the QueenE is that it needs another lane in sections. But that's true about a great many freeways in southern Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on September 30, 2019, 03:26:45 PM
Quote from: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 01:25:52 PM
Quote from: webny99 on September 30, 2019, 11:23:19 AM
So, it's official!
... by far most interesting of the 3 (that being the QEW between St. Catharines and Hamilton ...
Is it possible that the 110 signs went up before Labor Day?  I thought maybe it was posted that when we drove it on Aug 26.

No, it wouldn't have been posted at 110 in August. I was up that way mid-August, and it definitely hadn't changed then.
According to the article, it went into effect on Sept. 26th (last Thursday).



Quote from: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 01:25:52 PM
As webny99 noted, it's not a "modern freeway".  Did they add the jersey barrier because they added a 3rd lane?  And the pavement was some of the worst we were on in Ontario.
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 30, 2019, 02:47:51 PM
^ Why isn't the QEW a modern freeway?  I drove it a few days ago, and the pavement condition seemed just fine.
The biggest gripe about the QueenE is that it needs another lane in sections. But that's true about a great many freeways in southern Ontario.

Uhh.. yeah, where did I say it wasn't a modern freeway?
The very fact that it's part of the 110 km/h pilot proves that it's just fine, even by modern standards. It could use a widening, especially between the Red Hill Valley Pkwy and Grimsby, but that's more of a weekend/summer travel issue than a weekday/rush hour issue.

In particular, you have 4 lanes coming across the Skyway, dropping down to 3, then 2 lanes from ON 20 and 2 lanes from the Red Hill Valley Pkwy all merging in to those same 3 lanes, which is a recipe for disaster. I would think at least having auxiliary lanes between the Red Hill and Fruitland Road would be in order, just to avoid the 8 lanes of traffic descending into 3 all at once.



Quote from: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 01:25:52 PM
402 between London and Sarnia was not posted 110 that week - I sure wish it had been!

I suspect that would have changed last Thursday as well.
It can be hard to tell, though. I wouldn't have even noticed the change if it hadn't been for the "limit change ahead" signage, because the actual speed limit signs are miniature; small enough that visually distinguishing between 100 and 110 is difficult at 100 km/h, and almost impossible at 110 km/h!  :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 04:59:22 PM
"Modern freeway" was my selection of words.  You don't see newly built freeways with jersey barriers - those are usually added when the road has to add a lane, and there's no right of way available.

I still contend that it was bumpier pavement than the other freeways we drove in Ontario.  Much better than Michigan standards of course - but what isn't?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on October 01, 2019, 03:03:24 PM
Quote from: GaryV on September 30, 2019, 04:59:22 PM
"Modern freeway" was my selection of words.  You don't see newly built freeways with jersey barriers - those are usually added when the road has to add a lane, and there's no right of way available.

Yes, but it's extremely rare for a completely new six lane freeway to be built. I don't believe the QEW is substandard just because it has jersey barrier.

The only comment I can have about the pavement issue is, there is this segment (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1878513,-79.4415572,3a,75y,100.18h,66.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUeffGP6gMbxw0npQkiJdvw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) - apparently some markings are being tested, although it's quite a long stretch and all the markings have been there for at least several years now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on October 01, 2019, 03:03:54 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 22, 2019, 05:40:25 PM
Any idea how did Ontarians pick up the practice of using indefinite articles before freeway numbers? It makes sense in southern California, with all the freeway names (and a populace that got used to saying "the [xxx] freeway"); Did many Ontario freeways originally feature names as well? I'm aware of some major names like the M-C Freeway and the QEW.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that "ON" is a rather awkward prefix. Imagine saying "get on ON-401", for example. Even "take ON-401" sounds weird. So it makes sense to use the definite article instead. "The 401" almost flows just as nicely as just "401", at least IMO. I see it as an introduction of sorts, so the audience that you're going to be mentioning a freeway (as opposed to a local or regional road). It sounds less harsh with the definite article, too, and we all know our northern neighbors have a reputation for avoiding harsh words!  :)

I'm sure the fact that almost all of the freeways start with the number "4" plays into it as well. I just haven't quite figured out the connection/application yet, but I'll give it some more thought!
Obviously, the QEW is a big one that isn't numbered, too. I often hear it referred to as just "the QE", and I'm tempted to start using that too, since W is such a clunky letter when spoken.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on October 02, 2019, 01:16:40 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 01, 2019, 03:03:54 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on September 22, 2019, 05:40:25 PM
Any idea how did Ontarians pick up the practice of using indefinite articles before freeway numbers? It makes sense in southern California, with all the freeway names (and a populace that got used to saying "the [xxx] freeway"); Did many Ontario freeways originally feature names as well? I'm aware of some major names like the M-C Freeway and the QEW.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that "ON" is a rather awkward prefix. Imagine saying "get on ON-401", for example. Even "take ON-401" sounds weird. So it makes sense to use the definite article instead. "The 401" almost flows just as nicely as just "401", at least IMO. I see it as an introduction of sorts, so the audience that you're going to be mentioning a freeway (as opposed to a local or regional road). It sounds less harsh with the definite article, too, and we all know our northern neighbors have a reputation for avoiding harsh words!  :)

They could still say "Route" or "Highway" (for everything including freeways -- or, alternatively, "401 Freeway" instead of just "the 401").

Nevertheless, good point. Here in WA, saying "W-A-Five-Nine-Nine" is virtually never used. "SR" or "the" are probably the most common prefixes, because "WA" is similarly awkward. Not using any prefix is probably the most common thing to do, actually.

Quote from: webny99 on October 01, 2019, 03:03:54 PM
I'm sure the fact that almost all of the freeways start with the number "4" plays into it as well. I just haven't quite figured out the connection/application yet, but I'll give it some more thought!
Obviously, the QEW is a big one that isn't numbered, too. I often hear it referred to as just "the QE", and I'm tempted to start using that too, since W is such a clunky letter when spoken.

Seattle has a similar situation. Most freeways start with a "5", although we aren't exactly known for our "500 series highways" (we aren't really known for freeways like the GTA). If we were, the freeways alone might have become a well-known "thing", and "the" might have become more commonplace term to describe the freeways, as in Toronto.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on October 16, 2019, 01:41:12 PM
Another point I'd like to make about road naming. There's a street in Mississauga, ON, Hurontario St. which most people call "Highway 10", despite being, well, a city street and the highway being decommissioned in 1997.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5799031,-79.6161113,3a,75y,97.24h,93.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sR3mywpKvPkFZTlpeVR0cdw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 18, 2019, 07:39:26 AM
Ontario's most recent twelve-lane highway, the 401 through Cambridge.  Construction has nearly been completed on this segment of highway:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_281_west_WB_w_Oct19_forum.jpg&hash=c0ba49041b880ae12713fd87ffd919fa0e8a26b9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_WB_w_Oct19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_west_WB_w_Oct19_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_281_east_EB_w_Oct19_forum.jpg&hash=b5022e7ce492a2807444d354b8c697a3d6785dc0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_EB_w_Oct19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_281_east_EB_w_Oct19_24x16.jpg)

These were taken last week.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on October 18, 2019, 11:35:24 AM
A little interesting that they went with 6-6 instead of 3-3-3-3 like MTO often does, but I guess there are some ROW constraints in that area.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 19, 2019, 11:44:52 AM
The MTO seems to be less averse to wide carriageways than they once were.  Plus, this will only be six lanes each direction between two interchanges, east of the Highway 24 interchange the 401 will have five lanes per direction, which is kind of the desired width here in Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 19, 2019, 07:45:13 PM
Does anyone know why the left lane is still closed on the 401 Cambridge segment?

Also, the Gardiner is in for lengthy repairs: https://globalnews.ca/news/6030771/gardiner-expressway-replacement-lane-reductions/ (https://globalnews.ca/news/6030771/gardiner-expressway-replacement-lane-reductions/)

QuoteThe City of Toronto has reduced the eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway down to two lanes in each direction until 2021 as workers begin work to replace the highway's concrete deck and steel girders.

As of Monday morning, both directions of the Gardiner Expressway were reduced east of York Street as the northern portion of the highway between Jarvis and Cherry streets is replaced. Ahead of the closure, City of Toronto staff warned the construction project would have "a huge impact"  for residents and commuters.

"This is going to be quite a challenge,"  Chief Engineer Michael D'Andrea told reporters on Friday.

D'Andrea said it's anticipated the work and the associated lane reductions will be in place until 2021. There will also be occasional lane closures of Lake Shore Boulevard East to coincide with the removal and replacement of the highway above.

The work is in addition to the replacement of the westbound ramp to Sherbourne and Jarvis streets, which is slated to be finished in spring 2020.

In mid-2020, it's scheduled for construction to shift to the south side of the Gardiner Expressway. At that time, the eastbound on-ramp from Jarvis Street will also be replaced.

The City of Toronto said in an effort to expedite construction, it will be pre-fabricating the new sections of the expressway at a nearby location. The new sections will be brought to the site after the old sections are removed.

Officials said the pre-assembly will mean work can be finished up to 40 per cent quicker.

D'Andrea said crews will be working 24 hours a day and seven days a week throughout the duration of the project, but that the noisiest parts of the work will mostly be done by 11 p.m.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 28, 2019, 08:48:35 PM
I took some photos of the 401/418 interchange this evening in Clarington Township.  Construction is progressing well on Ontario's newest 400-series highway.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_cl_0-5_south_SB_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=25d1170600e446904950da6386f4180e8f18c630)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-5_south_SB_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_cl_0-5_south_NB_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=b530e86f56c58a28b409d4a64edc8bc35842851d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-5_south_NB_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_cl_0-5_north_c_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=5acfe472478651f3cc9ebcf89b3d780c3e99fd40)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-5_north_c_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_cl_0-5_north_NB_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=36acf85d0706a2dfc5d794e6953bc882f93651f5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_cl_0-5_north_NB_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 30, 2019, 07:06:27 PM
A few recent views of the 401 through Mississauga.

Looking westerly from the pedestrian overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_west_WB_w_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=647ccb5af0a874f3f2bf7635bb331bfb1154f872)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_WB_w_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_WB_w_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_west_WB_t_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=2c82ebacd3ccff0d7e25186661ee0b41da3a1497)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_WB_t_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_WB_t_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view towards Mavis Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_east_EB_w_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=6d0138d7e1c8dc886f92ea55b670eeb409287094)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_east_EB_w_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_east_EB_w_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)

Westerly view from Mavis Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_340_west_WB_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=cf5b07939114ac0b5a6380839aa5ced084984814)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_340_west_WB_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_340_west_WB_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view from Mavis Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_340_east_c_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=acb5b67e8276bda6042076c83cebc815550247fd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_340_east_c_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_340_east_c_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)

The newly installed COMPASS sign omits that the ramp also goes to the 403 now:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_343_east_C_Oct28-19_forum.jpg&hash=e1ea9354fee8f842a1110705436e38988ab6c5ca)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_343_east_C_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_343_east_C_Oct28-19_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on December 06, 2019, 04:33:20 PM
The last gap of Hwy-407 will open Monday from what I saw on that article. https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news-story/9765057-toll-highway-407-link-to-peterborough-opens-monday/

QuoteThe extension of Highway 407 through to Highway 115/35 will open Monday ahead of the schedule previously released by the Ministry of Transportation.

At the same time, Highway 418 will provide another north/south connection from Highway 407 to Highway 401. The 407 extension will add 14.2 kilometres to the toll highway.

"Connecting Highway 407 to Highway 35/115 will create a vital link between Peterborough and the GTA," Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith stated in a news release. "The extension of this highway will help attract jobs and economic growth to this region."

In the same release, Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott – MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock – stated that "Ontario's highway infrastructure investments help people get where they need to go in a safe and efficient way, while allowing businesses to move goods and deliver services more quickly ... These investments help make Ontario open for business and open for jobs."

While the new stretch of the 407 and 418 will be fully owned and operated by the province, motorists will only receive one invoice for the use of the 407, 412, 418 or 407 ETR. This includes transponder leases, monthly account charges, and video toll charges.

Rhonda Keenan, president of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, said there is a lot more to consider when you ponder the benefits of a second fixed extension to the GTA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cu2010 on December 06, 2019, 06:23:26 PM
Of course... one week after I was there!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 02:12:44 PM
So, with the new extension of ON-407 & 418 opening, does anybody have confirmation on the new exit numbers yet?  :bigass:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cl94 on December 11, 2019, 05:00:35 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 02:12:44 PM
So, with the new extension of ON-407 & 418 opening, does anybody have confirmation on the new exit numbers yet?  :bigass:

Paging AsphaltPlanet or cbeach40...  (shame there's no way to tag people here)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 09:32:57 PM
Quote from: cl94 on December 11, 2019, 05:00:35 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 02:12:44 PM
So, with the new extension of ON-407 & 418 opening, does anybody have confirmation on the new exit numbers yet?  :bigass:

Paging AsphaltPlanet or cbeach40...  (shame there's no way to tag people here)

That's coming soon in SMF 2.1.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: X99 on December 12, 2019, 10:28:14 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 09:32:57 PM
Quote from: cl94 on December 11, 2019, 05:00:35 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 11, 2019, 02:12:44 PM
So, with the new extension of ON-407 & 418 opening, does anybody have confirmation on the new exit numbers yet?  :bigass:

Paging AsphaltPlanet or cbeach40...  (shame there's no way to tag people here)

That's coming soon in SMF 2.1.
I don't know what that stands for, so I can't tell if you mean the highway extension or the ability to tag people in posts. If it's the latter though, anonymous likes would be nice too. Some roadway discussions end up being so dumb they're funny, and it would be nice if we had a way to save a link to them just for ourselves (like saved posts on Reddit).


Back on topic, the ON-407/ON-412 interchange looks like it was designed to possibly allow a future northern extension of ON-412. Are there any such plans to do this?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 12, 2019, 02:09:22 PM
The exit numbers for the 418 are as follows:

Durham Highway #2 - Exit 3

Taunton Road - Exit 8

Neither the exits for the 401 or the 407 from the 418 have posted exit numbers.  I have photos of the 407 exit numbers, but not handy with right now.

I have driven both the 407 and the 418.  I'd say they are both nice new highways, though they are both somewhat unremarkable given they are just modern four lane expressways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 12, 2019, 09:20:23 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 12, 2019, 02:09:22 PM
The exit numbers for the 418 are as follows:

Durham Highway #2 - Exit 3

Taunton Road - Exit 8

Neither the exits for the 401 or the 407 from the 418 have posted exit numbers.  I have photos of the 407 exit numbers, but not handy with right now.

I have driven both the 407 and the 418.  I'd say they are both nice new highways, though they are both somewhat unremarkable given they are just modern four lane expressways.

Thanks.  Will be awaiting the 407 numbers so I can push the 418 & 407 updates @ TM together. :)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 14, 2019, 10:44:24 AM
For the 407:

Hwy 418 is 135

Durham Road 57 is 138

Darlington/Clarke Townline is 145.

Hwy 35/115 doesn't have a posted exit number.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 15, 2019, 03:09:26 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 14, 2019, 10:44:24 AM
For the 407:

Hwy 418 is 135

Durham Road 57 is 138

Darlington/Clarke Townline is 145.

Hwy 35/115 doesn't have a posted exit number.

TY!  Will get both routes updated on TM sometime today. :)

Oh, and that reminds me, by some odd chance, did the ending interchange of ON-407 get an exit number on ON-35/115?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 15, 2019, 11:17:54 AM
yeah, the 407 is exit 14 from the 35/115.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 15, 2019, 02:32:06 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 15, 2019, 11:17:54 AM
yeah, the 407 is exit 14 from the 35/115.

Alright, it hadn't been pulled in yet, so I've changed the 'ON407' label to 14.

Any other of the 'exits' on ON-35/115 gain exit numbers too? lol.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 15, 2019, 10:15:44 PM
No, exits are otherwise still just reserved for the portion of the 115 north of the 35 split.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: bing101 on December 27, 2019, 12:09:30 PM
Asphalt Planet just did a segment on Ontario 417 and in this scene some of the roads in Quebec and Ontario towards Ottawa were under construction at the time of video.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Kniwt on December 27, 2019, 10:59:24 PM
Quote from: bing101 on December 27, 2019, 12:09:30 PM
Asphalt Planet just did a segment on Ontario 417

What stands out for me is the very low number of semitrailers and other large trucks on this major route, especially compared to, say, I-10 and I-40.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 28, 2019, 09:11:58 AM
In Quebec, this video was filmed on Fete Nationale, so nobody was at work (and traffic was incredibly light).  It was a normal Monday in Ontario, but the 417 isn't the truck route that the 401 is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Dougtone on December 30, 2019, 07:27:58 PM
An oldie, but a goodie. Visiting the Caledonia Bridge in Caledonia, Ontario. For those not familiar with the bridge, it's a nine-span rainbow arch bridge.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/12/caledonia-bridge-caledonia-ontario.html (https://www.gribblenation.org/2019/12/caledonia-bridge-caledonia-ontario.html)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 30, 2019, 09:31:32 PM
So I think a month ago, the widening of Highway 404 has started between Highway 7 up north at least to Major Mackenzie (I don't know how far north it goes though because I get off at Major Mack). I believe they're adding an HOV Lane there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 07, 2020, 06:54:21 PM
I'm posting a few sign photos on this forum of the 418 interchange form the 401.  I've posted some other stuff to the Ontario Roads facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/279324105505702/  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/279324105505702/)), but thought I'd put some stuff up here as well:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_428-15_west_Dec19.jpg&hash=d1a13dd86b63ec2f00f5fd031b5c8ec0382d483a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_428-15_west_Dec19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_427_west_Dec19.jpg&hash=4b222d7ffe76adbf678876a30831578f6758b461)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_427_west_Dec19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-5_west_Dec19.jpg&hash=76c6dca4c3ae952baf97a53477e7c3614e36c3a0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-5_west_Dec19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_426-1_west_Dec19.jpg&hash=006c768c86b2d89d47ca1ac78cef3562886170aa)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_426-1_west_Dec19_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_425-1_west_Dec19.jpg&hash=30ede3b4bba073ff96d1086d615391e70b1c2848)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_425-1_west_Dec19_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on January 08, 2020, 05:25:55 AM
'407 via 418'

Not '418 to 407'.

Which is the common standard in Canada?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on January 08, 2020, 10:44:12 AM
Don't know about common standards, but my personal preference 418 to 407, basically listing the highways in order that you will reach them.

Nexus 5X

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 08, 2020, 12:54:55 PM
Quote from: Chris on January 08, 2020, 05:25:55 AM
'407 via 418'

Not '418 to 407'.

Which is the common standard in Canada?

Canada doesn't have national standards for well, most highway related things.

As far as Ontario goes, it's based on what unfamiliar drivers are most likely to be looking for, so in the 418's case it's just a little connector highway for people travelling between 401 and 407.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 08, 2020, 12:58:55 PM
*edit* I started writing my post before Chris had made the above post, but since I had already written it, I'm leaving it below:

Via is pretty common on Ontario's highways.  I'm not sure the term is used anywhere else in Canada.

I think the basic idea is that it puts the more predominant destination ahead of the connector road.  For example, most traffic utilizign the 418 is probably destined for the 407, so I've always assumed that's why it is signed that way.

There are overhead signs that use "to" or "to/vers" though as well.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_7_images%2F7_dv_187_east_Aug16.jpg&hash=507ebc447ad5eff9aedf6ebd5234822486347ebf)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_7_images/7_dv_187_east_Aug16_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on January 08, 2020, 01:13:28 PM
'Via' is a word that works in French as well, eliminating the need for dual names.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 06, 2020, 01:14:04 PM
There a interesting photo showing the construction of the new bridges on French River who'll be the new lanes of Hwy-69. https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/sudbury/spanning-the-french-river-2423914
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 27, 2020, 05:32:23 PM
We talk of this since the 1960s and can we said this is THE moment we awaiting for Hwy-7 freeway between Kitchener and Guelph?  https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/breaking-province-announces-new-highway-7-to-be-built-2564995

And there this video posted last April showing construction progress of Hwy-427 extension. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAySdHwceSw
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Tom on August 16, 2020, 09:51:38 PM
Members of a church located on Ont. Hwy 666 successfully got MTO to renumber the highway in 1985:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QBJtjoHflPwC&dat=19851023&printsec=frontpage&hl=en (p.A5)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_658  :coffee:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 17, 2020, 09:57:42 AM
Quote from: Tom on August 16, 2020, 09:51:38 PM
Members of a church located on Ont. Hwy 666 successfully got MTO to renumber the highway in 1985:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QBJtjoHflPwC&dat=19851023&printsec=frontpage&hl=en (p.A5)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_658  :coffee:


I wonder if that highway got its signs often stolen like the former US-666?

I also got a more direct link to that article, I hope it'll work. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BV8zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tO8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4935%2C894629
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 19, 2020, 10:50:32 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 17, 2020, 09:57:42 AM
Quote from: Tom on August 16, 2020, 09:51:38 PM
Members of a church located on Ont. Hwy 666 successfully got MTO to renumber the highway in 1985:
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=QBJtjoHflPwC&dat=19851023&printsec=frontpage&hl=en (p.A5)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Highway_658  :coffee:


I wonder if that highway got its signs often stolen like the former US-666?

I also got a more direct link to that article, I hope it'll work. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BV8zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tO8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4935%2C894629

They often did. Highway 69 and Highway 420 often get stolen too for some reasons.  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 06, 2020, 10:56:57 AM
I saw that one on Skyscraperpage forums. https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9028843&postcount=826 Some commuters are sceptical about Toronto's third bypass aka possibly Hwy-413.
https://www.theifp.ca/news-story/10159512--between-30-to-60-seconds-new-400-series-highway-won-t-improve-commutes-for-georgetown-commuters/

QuotePlans for a new highway that will ease traffic congestion through the Greater Toronto Area has been opposed by several groups in favour of alternative forms of transit.

The GTA West Highway, Highway 413, will pass through Halton Hills — stretching from Hwy. 407 in Milton to Hwy. 400 in Vaughan.

"The major issue is that this project is going to have significant impact on the environment and the communities through which it will pass,"  said Keith Brooks, program director for Environmental Defense, "and it will deliver next to nothing in terms of benefits."

According to a report commissioned by the Ontario government in 2018, the GTA West Corridor would save the average commuters between 30 and 60 seconds of travel time per trip.

As one user on Skyscraperpage mentionned, they could realign that proposed bypass and link it with the Bradford bypass.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 10, 2020, 04:45:01 PM
So technically not an Ontario highway anymore, but the VIVA Rapidways on Yonge Street seems to be mostly done! vivanext.com says it's 94% done and should be done by the end of 2020. (which is in a few weeks)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 27, 2020, 07:58:36 PM
So I was driving along Highway 48 today and when I came across the roundabout with Bloomington Road, I noticed the large amounts of money just dedicated to signage. Here's dashcam video, notice the 3 signs. First is a simple roundabout sign, the next one is the roundabout except showing the control cities, and the third is on a gantry showing the lanes and everything.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 01:10:49 PM
I have definitely never seen a roundabout in BC with two diagrammatic signs (the ground-mounted directional sign with arrows). I've also not seen white-on-green lane-use signs before. Over here, they're black-on-white.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 02, 2021, 11:14:49 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 01:10:49 PM
I have definitely never seen a roundabout in BC with two diagrammatic signs (the ground-mounted directional sign with arrows). I've also not seen white-on-green lane-use signs before. Over here, they're black-on-white.

Black on white are typical here too but also regulatory. Green on white was selected to provide guidance but not be legally enforceable. If they were, large vehicles that have to straddle the roundabout lanes would be doing so illegally.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 11:57:28 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 02, 2021, 11:14:49 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 01:10:49 PM
I have definitely never seen a roundabout in BC with two diagrammatic signs (the ground-mounted directional sign with arrows). I've also not seen white-on-green lane-use signs before. Over here, they're black-on-white.

Black on white are typical here too but also regulatory. Green on white was selected to provide guidance but not be legally enforceable. If they were, large vehicles that have to straddle the roundabout lanes would be doing so illegally.

Why the change from standard practice? It may not be technically legal to straddle lanes but it's not enforced?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 04, 2021, 10:56:54 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 11:57:28 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 02, 2021, 11:14:49 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 01:10:49 PM
I have definitely never seen a roundabout in BC with two diagrammatic signs (the ground-mounted directional sign with arrows). I've also not seen white-on-green lane-use signs before. Over here, they're black-on-white.

Black on white are typical here too but also regulatory. Green on white was selected to provide guidance but not be legally enforceable. If they were, large vehicles that have to straddle the roundabout lanes would be doing so illegally.

Why the change from standard practice? It may not be technically legal to straddle lanes but it's not enforced?

Basically, it's a new standard practice. The old one would open up a host of legal problems. The very, very short version of that is if there's ever a crash where regulatory signs are in place, but they contravene other messaging in place, then the road authority is definitely getting sued big time and the engineer who signed off on it would get their license revoked.

So, invent a new standard that's clear to drivers but doesn't put yourself in legal hell.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on January 05, 2021, 01:42:01 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 04, 2021, 10:56:54 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 11:57:28 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on January 02, 2021, 11:14:49 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 02, 2021, 01:10:49 PM
I have definitely never seen a roundabout in BC with two diagrammatic signs (the ground-mounted directional sign with arrows). I've also not seen white-on-green lane-use signs before. Over here, they're black-on-white.

Black on white are typical here too but also regulatory. Green on white was selected to provide guidance but not be legally enforceable. If they were, large vehicles that have to straddle the roundabout lanes would be doing so illegally.

Why the change from standard practice? It may not be technically legal to straddle lanes but it's not enforced?

Basically, it's a new standard practice. The old one would open up a host of legal problems. The very, very short version of that is if there's ever a crash where regulatory signs are in place, but they contravene other messaging in place, then the road authority is definitely getting sued big time and the engineer who signed off on it would get their license revoked.

So, invent a new standard that's clear to drivers but doesn't put yourself in legal hell.

Would it remove MTO from legal hell? I'm curious what the precedent is here. The bigger issue seems to be legal hell for everyone else: the new signs seem to imply that sticking to the lane lines is mere guidance and that drivers may, if they choose, simply ignore them. If the idea is for drivers who ignore the lines to potentially still be found at fault (there's still a sign!), then what have truckers gained from white-on-green signs? Either the lane lines are enforced or they're not.

Trucks and buses all over the US and Canada have warnings on the back that warn of lane-straddling/splitting and wide turns, and both types of vehicles frequently ignore existing regulatory signage and markings to safely complete manoeuvres. I'm not aware of any jurisdiction that has laws on the books permitting either vehicle to legally do these things, but its understood that they must. When a crash occurs, it is not the road authority who is found liable but those involved: if you search "truck wide right turn", 90% of the results are law firms looking to represent those involved in crashes. None of the pages seem to imply any DOT or MOT is responsible.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 06, 2021, 02:02:57 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 05, 2021, 01:42:01 PM
Would it remove MTO from legal hell? I'm curious what the precedent is here. The bigger issue seems to be legal hell for everyone else: the new signs seem to imply that sticking to the lane lines is mere guidance and that drivers may, if they choose, simply ignore them. If the idea is for drivers who ignore the lines to potentially still be found at fault (there's still a sign!), then what have truckers gained from white-on-green signs? Either the lane lines are enforced or they're not.

For MTO, as their multi-lane roundabouts necessitate trucks straddling the lanes, and their signs and publications reflect that (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/roundabouts.shtml), then basically if they install regulatory signs then the messaging is contradictory. And if there's a crash and they get sued (which happens all the time), then that's a huge hole in their defense.

The advantage for drivers is that they are not obligated to follow the lane designations. If they were regulatory, then failure to follow them would be a Highway Traffic Act charge. But since they're not, even in the event of a collision they could not be charged for that.

So basically the signs are there to help people find the right lane, but it's not demanding that they do so.


Quote from: jakeroot on January 05, 2021, 01:42:01 PM
Trucks and buses all over the US and Canada have warnings on the back that warn of lane-straddling/splitting and wide turns, and both types of vehicles frequently ignore existing regulatory signage and markings to safely complete manoeuvres. I'm not aware of any jurisdiction that has laws on the books permitting either vehicle to legally do these things, but its understood that they must. When a crash occurs, it is not the road authority who is found liable but those involved: if you search "truck wide right turn", 90% of the results are law firms looking to represent those involved in crashes. None of the pages seem to imply any DOT or MOT is responsible.

If an intersection's design will not accommodate the appropriate design vehicle (eg, a transport truck), then it probably would be irresponsible to put a lane designation on it. But that's up to them.

In terms of those law firms, yes, they are representing the victims of those crashes. And in addition to the trucking company, the driver and/or their insurance company, they will most assuredly sue the road authority as well. And the condition and messaging of the signs in the area will be one of the first things they look at.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: zzcarp on March 30, 2021, 10:41:46 AM
The MTO study on the replacement of the Little Current swing bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/xEATEJHPymQ9R52R7) between Manitoulin Island and Goat Island over the North Channel in northern Ontario is complete. The verdict: build another swing bridge but with two lanes.

QuoteFeedback from the public consultations, both in-person and online, showed that tourism and heritage were top-of-mind for many respondents who shared that the swing bridge should be maintained as it is a symbol of Manitoulin Island, a tourist attraction and has historic meaning to the people of the Island. It would appear the MTO took these directives to heart.

Out of 10 alternatives, the double-lane swing bridge rated the highest, at 74 percent, on Stantec's evaluation chart that factored in environmental impacts, the community and engineering. The lowest rating went to the tunnel and fixed skyway-style bridge options.

The MTO and Stantec note that the swing bridge is the preferred option because: the new bridge accommodates two lanes of traffic; maintains existing grades for active transportation users, such as pedestrians and cyclists (a sidewalk will be featured on the west side of the new bridge as is the case with the current model); minimizes impacts to the existing roadway network; has no impact to existing utilities; boasts a lower construction cost compared to the other alternatives; has the lowest impact to existing residential properties; has the lowest impact to noise sensitive areas; there is no change to access the Little Current business area; it minimizes impacts to existing viewscape from Little Current and the North Channel; it has the lowest potential to impact wildlife habitat and species at risk; avoids impacts to the "high quality alvars"  nearby; and, with the exception of the bascule (lift) option, the swing bridge is anticipated to impact the smallest area of lakebed during construction.

The one-lane bridge is the only fixed link to the mainland from Manitoulin Island. Constructed in 1913 for the Algoma railroad, the bridge deck was retrofitted in 1945 to allow vehicular traffic and designated as part of Highway 68. Alternating directions of traffic are controlled by traffic signals that turned red when the span was open or when a train was passing.

The railroad was abandoned in the early 80's. Also in 1980, Highway 68 was subsumed in its entirety by an extension of Highway 6 across the Tobermory Ferry to Highway 17 in McKerrow.

A YouTube rendering of the proposed replacement swing bridge and more history of the current bridge are in the article linked at the top of the post.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 04:17:34 PM
I haven't uploaded any photos in this forum for a while.  But here are some recent photos of the construction to twin Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC08187_Mar21.jpg&hash=e8cc588f21dfbf64a4db095e0d4321bb4189b6da)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC08187_Mar21_lg.jpg

View of the current southern end of the divided highway south of Sudbury:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09448_Mar21.jpg&hash=4eda083f05278b0731dd78536382a3e579389ca2)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09448_Mar21_24x16.jpg

Some of the signage has been erected -- this is the northbound advanced signage for the future Highway 607 interchange:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09218_Mar21.jpg&hash=7e2060805d6d1fcfe82c17a3ba41568584e7b725)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09218_Mar21_24x16.jpg

View looking at the French River bridges.  I am standing beneath the old bridge that now carries the service road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09065_Mar21.jpg&hash=370f36ca66449b5990dc26c00617d588e837ac92)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09065_Mar21_24x16.jpg

View of the Settlers Road overpass -- this is the service road, but represents the former highway alignment:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09439_Mar21.jpg&hash=2c70060df141726bbebe41d77e8ceaf1c5ed71da)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09439_Mar21_24x16.jpg

View looking southerly between the new twin bridges that will carry the highway overtop of the Pickerel River.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09391_Mar21.jpg&hash=c7e73d6f4bec4ff305d7e6576b5a1c402936c468)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09391_Mar21_24x16.jpg

Another view of the Pickerel River Bridge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09402_Mar21.jpg&hash=9f09465fde982927c584b961667e233c50e0b51a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09402_Mar21_24x16.jpg

And one more photo, this time unrepeated to the highway construction at the Magnetawan River Bridge, further south:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_cl_DSC09211_Mar21.jpg&hash=484d13193740cf780a0a365f3868a96e387f9dd0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_cl_DSC09211_Mar21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on March 30, 2021, 05:33:34 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 04:17:34 PM
I haven't uploaded any photos in this forum for a while.  But here are some recent photos of the construction to twin Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury:
Will this become more of 400 or stay as 69? I know Ontario only uses 4xx for freeways, unlike QC's autoroutes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 06:51:55 PM
The plan is to number the entire route as Hwy 400 once the gap in between the two freeway segments has been closed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on March 30, 2021, 11:40:16 PM
Although a lot of regular Ontario Provincial Highways are not numbered 4xx if they're not controlled access the full way. For example Highway 115 is controlled access for like 60% of its length but is still 115.

Btw, @asphaltplanet, do you and TheKingsHighway know each other? Both of your sites seem to serve the same purpose.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webfil on March 31, 2021, 08:20:57 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 04:17:34 PM
I haven't uploaded any photos in this forum for a while.  But here are some recent photos of the construction to twin Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury

Are there any plans for grade separation at McFarlane Lake as well as full cloverleaf at 69/17?

Seeing the topography and the purpose each road serve, I think I kinda know the answer ― but I'm still curious.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on March 31, 2021, 09:31:09 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on March 30, 2021, 11:40:16 PM
Although a lot of regular Ontario Provincial Highways are not numbered 4xx if they're not controlled access the full way. For example Highway 115 is controlled access for like 60% of its length but is still 115.

Well, there isn't a 415, so perhaps they are holding it in reserve should the whole thing eventually become a freeway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on March 31, 2021, 11:21:11 AM
Quote from: GaryV on March 31, 2021, 09:31:09 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on March 30, 2021, 11:40:16 PM
Although a lot of regular Ontario Provincial Highways are not numbered 4xx if they're not controlled access the full way. For example Highway 115 is controlled access for like 60% of its length but is still 115.

Well, there isn't a 415, so perhaps they are holding it in reserve should the whole thing eventually become a freeway.

The interesting thing about 115 that the non-freeway section (it's a RIRO section) is co-signed with Highway 35. So if they remove the concurrency, then it could very well just be 415, since without the concurrency, the whole of 115 would be controlled-access.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 31, 2021, 11:39:30 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on March 30, 2021, 11:40:16 PM
Btw, @asphaltplanet, do you and TheKingsHighway know each other? Both of your sites seem to serve the same purpose.

Yes, we know each other.  We have been good friends for many years.  As I have been with some other contributors to this forum.

Quote from: webfil on March 31, 2021, 08:20:57 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 04:17:34 PM
I haven't uploaded any photos in this forum for a while.  But here are some recent photos of the construction to twin Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury

Are there any plans for grade separation at McFarlane Lake as well as full cloverleaf at 69/17?

Seeing the topography and the purpose each road serve, I think I kinda know the answer ― but I'm still curious.

The long term plan is to convert the remaining section of Highway 69 from Estaire Road to Highway 17 as a freeway.  I don't anticipate that work being completed as expediently as the work to twin the rest of Highway 69.  Highway 69 will meet Highway 17 at a modified trumpet/parclo hybrid interchange that serves all of the freeway to freeway movements with direct connections (though still a loop ramp from Highway 69/400 to Highway 17 West).  An interchange will be completed in the middle of the urban area on the existing Highway 69.

At one point, there was plans to build a new freeway alignment to the east of the lake through there and meeting Highway 17 a few kilometers east of the current interchange and leaving the current four-lane undivided highway relatively intact, but those plans have been scrapped.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: aboges26 on April 04, 2021, 08:22:53 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 30, 2021, 06:51:55 PM
The plan is to number the entire route as Hwy 400 once the gap in between the two freeway segments has been closed.

Is the work only planned to progress now from north to south?  I have not seen any movement on 400 northward from the Nobel bypass.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 05, 2021, 09:32:04 AM
^ For all of the segments that remain now, the new highway crosses First Nations land.  The land transfer process when dealing with First Nations is often long and complicated, even if both sides are willing participants.

Because of this, work had been progressing from the northern end southerly, but they've now run out of room, and all of the remaining segments have at least some impacts to First Nations land.

I don't know what the status of the negotiations are.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 10, 2021, 09:10:25 PM
A couple of photos of the second phase of the 407 extension taken last fall.  These photos were taken from the Liberty Street overpass in Bomanville early last October.  The autumn colours hadn't peaked yet when these photos were taken, but obviously there was some good colour starting.  I think this is my favourite vantage point of the 407 extension:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_141_east_t_Oct-3_20.jpg&hash=7d69fb24f94dbcd5ee27fca1753918990d05a6c0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_141_east_t_Oct-3_20_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_141_east_EB_Oct-3_20.jpg&hash=2ddbbb75e55f8c5d7f7d5e505ebd8e936f6d6b17)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_141_east_EB_Oct-3_20_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 10, 2021, 09:59:46 PM
The 407 East extension is way underused... maybe if it were tolled a bit cheaper, then it would be more useful.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: BridgesToIdealism on April 13, 2021, 06:06:44 PM
Does anyone know what the original (cancelled?) plans for the north end of Highway 404 were? What were these stubs/abandoned ROW supposed to lead to?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210413/da54b5fb5e6c538926a06605f2ca1658.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 13, 2021, 09:55:53 PM
Quote from: BridgesToIdealism on April 13, 2021, 06:06:44 PM
Does anyone know what the original (cancelled?) plans for the north end of Highway 404 were? What were these stubs/abandoned ROW supposed to lead to?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210413/da54b5fb5e6c538926a06605f2ca1658.jpg)

They just recently built that extension, and it opened September 17, 2014.

There are also plans to extend it all the way to ON-12.
https://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/0d954ef4-12b6-4ac7-931d-39a3d1269dff/2015+Approved+Roads_8_11_year_Ver2.pdf?MOD=AJPERES (https://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/0d954ef4-12b6-4ac7-931d-39a3d1269dff/2015+Approved+Roads_8_11_year_Ver2.pdf?MOD=AJPERES)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 14, 2021, 01:19:16 AM
Quote from: BridgesToIdealism on April 13, 2021, 06:06:44 PM
Does anyone know what the original (cancelled?) plans for the north end of Highway 404 were? What were these stubs/abandoned ROW supposed to lead to?

That's an interim ending, the highway will eventually will be extended.

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on April 13, 2021, 09:55:53 PM
There are also plans to extend it all the way to ON-12.

Here's a map that shows the small bit in Durham too. Can see it follows the right-of-way of Highway 48 for the last few km before it meets up with Highway 12.

(https://georginahomesforsale.com/assets/uploads/pageuploads/1412870646_1412092513_404.jpg)

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 14, 2021, 06:11:24 PM
Imo, the 404 extension isn't really that useful for now. I'd rather see 413 get built first.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 27, 2021, 09:15:48 AM
Yikes

(https://i.imgur.com/TWNvGQN.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 02, 2021, 06:03:59 PM
View of the 401 from Trafalgar Road in Milton.  The basketweave ramp that will link the 407 ramps to the left side of the westbound collectors is visible in the distance on the left side of the this photo:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_WB_t_May21.jpg&hash=faa57576d2649557da1bc9245a33e2396e27cb47)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB_t_May21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 02, 2021, 09:08:42 PM
I just wish they could add collector lanes to the section between 427 and 409...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 04, 2021, 11:32:40 PM
What's the deal with the construction markings? I know the MTO uses orange markings, but I only see them on one carriageway, despite both seemingly being under construction.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 05, 2021, 12:02:15 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 04, 2021, 11:32:40 PM
What's the deal with the construction markings? I know the MTO uses orange markings, but I only see them on one carriageway, despite both seemingly being under construction.

In my experience the orange markings are only used when the lanes are being shifted from their normal position
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 06, 2021, 04:13:00 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on May 05, 2021, 12:02:15 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 04, 2021, 11:32:40 PM
What's the deal with the construction markings? I know the MTO uses orange markings, but I only see them on one carriageway, despite both seemingly being under construction.

In my experience the orange markings are only used when the lanes are being shifted from their normal position

That's the short answer to it.
From the looks (and timing) of it, the westbound (approaching) lanes were painted with standard markings for over the winter shutdown and haven't been moved yet. Meanwhile shifting as restarted on the eastbound lanes and new temporary markings have been applied there.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on May 06, 2021, 07:11:48 PM
My only point was that both carriageways seem to have shifted lanes, yet only the eastbound lanes had the correct orange markings.

As I understand it: the MTO will use standard markings for shifted lanes (clearly the case westbound), but only as prelude to extended shutdowns. Is that correct?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 07, 2021, 09:39:00 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on May 06, 2021, 07:11:48 PM
My only point was that both carriageways seem to have shifted lanes, yet only the eastbound lanes had the correct orange markings.

As I understand it: the MTO will use standard markings for shifted lanes (clearly the case westbound), but only as prelude to extended shutdowns. Is that correct?

Basically yes. The fact that it likely wasn't an active construction zone, and that orange markings are only temporary and as such have low durability, means that over the winter standard markings would be applied there.

Also, orange markings are typically only used in the Toronto area where lane shifts and other traffic staging changes often over the course of a project. In other parts of the province they've gone back to standard white and yellow lines as when staging is keeping low volumes of traffic in the same shift for months on end it makes sense to keep it standard even in a construction zone.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 30, 2021, 10:40:23 PM
Easterly view from the Martin Grove Road overpass on the 407.  The towers in the distance are at 400 and 7, and the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway station:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_60_east_EB_t_May21_forum.jpg&hash=f9ec348a04f24aaa2d7701d67a0828cf71956af1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_60_east_EB_t_May21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 31, 2021, 09:33:51 AM
Pretty empty, eh
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on May 31, 2021, 10:13:00 AM
It was shot on a sunday afternoon during a lockdown, so yeah, pretty empty.  Thanks for the comment.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 31, 2021, 01:38:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 30, 2021, 10:40:23 PM
Easterly view from the Martin Grove Road overpass on the 407.  The towers in the distance are at 400 and 7, and the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway station:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_60_east_EB_t_May21_forum.jpg&hash=f9ec348a04f24aaa2d7701d67a0828cf71956af1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_60_east_EB_t_May21_24x16.jpg

I compared it with a Google Streetview taken in June 2009, lots of changes in the landscape! https://goo.gl/maps/Z9Cgo2yZu68YsUjs6
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 31, 2021, 01:43:15 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 31, 2021, 01:38:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on May 30, 2021, 10:40:23 PM
Easterly view from the Martin Grove Road overpass on the 407.  The towers in the distance are at 400 and 7, and the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway station:

[image]
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_60_east_EB_t_May21_24x16.jpg

I compared it with a Google Streetview taken in June 2009, lots of changes in the landscape! https://goo.gl/maps/Z9Cgo2yZu68YsUjs6

Indeed. However, this plan with all the highrises (Vaughan Metropolitan Centre) has been in the making even back then, and now is finally in the first stages of being realized.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 16, 2021, 12:16:41 AM
Super telephoto view from the Islington Avenue overpass:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_356_east_Jun21_t_forum.jpg&hash=e02ecf93199c8c55765e0811b2f4085c575f3074)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_356_east_Jun21_t_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_356_east_Jun21_t_24x16.jpg)

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 16, 2021, 10:13:51 AM
Woah.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 16, 2021, 06:07:43 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on June 16, 2021, 10:13:51 AM
Woah.

Indeed, too bad then Google streetview didn't used telephoto back in 2007 just to compare the views. https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7094127,-79.5522232,3a,75y,83.06h,103.36t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shEHl3z8-6GMom7ah6kCVGg!2e0!7i3328!8i1664
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 16, 2021, 06:21:18 PM
That ramp channel on the Islington Avenue overpass is crazy.  I forgot it was like that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 16, 2021, 10:38:57 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 16, 2021, 06:21:18 PM
That ramp channel on the Islington Avenue overpass is crazy.  I forgot it was like that.

Probably removed to improve pedestrian access
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 18, 2021, 05:56:28 PM
Does anybody know how accurate is OSM currently showing the state of ON-69 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=13/45.9924/-80.5864) between SH-607 & SH-522? Somebody on OSM just recently changed it to show it on the new alignment.  Has this really happened?  I want to properly update ON-69 for TM and put it on the new alignment if it is indeed on it.  If it is indeed on the new alignment, is the Pickerel River Road interchange also open?  I know it isn't shown on OSM, but can see the clearing progress in some imagery sources.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2021, 07:09:13 PM
Traffic has been shifted onto a new alignment north through both the French and Pickerel River bridges, but neither of the interchanges at Pickerel River Road or Hwy 607 are open.  So far only one carriageway of the new highway had opened, and the full freeway won't be completed until next year.

There are photos of this project from earlier this spring on a previous page of this forum thread.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 18, 2021, 08:04:57 PM
Is there a project webpage for this Highway 69 expansion? I Googled but I can't seem to find one.

(for example, the 427 extension's webpage is at https://427expansion.ca/)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on June 18, 2021, 09:39:01 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 18, 2021, 07:09:13 PM
Traffic has been shifted onto a new alignment north through both the French and Pickerel River bridges, but neither of the interchanges at Pickerel River Road or Hwy 607 are open.  So far only one carriageway of the new highway had opened, and the full freeway won't be completed until next year.

There are photos of this project from earlier this spring on a previous page of this forum thread.

So, OSM is incorrect showing that SH-607's interchange is only partially open (NB side only open)?  If it's at least partially open, I can at least put that 'intersection' in the correct place (working on creating all the Secondary Highway files for TM).  As for Pickerel River Road, I guess I can just make that a hidden point till it's open.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2021, 08:55:54 PM
Yes, OSH would be incorrect if any of the 607 interchange is open.  None of the interchange is open.  Hwy 607 will be relocated to a new location slightly to the south of the former at-grade intersection, but 607 still meets 69 at-grade at roughly the same location as the pre-construction location.  (Two way traffic has been shifted onto the northbound carriageway for now, the former carriageway that existed before construction will carry southbound traffic once construction has been completed).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2021, 09:29:20 PM
The Skyline of North York.  As seen from Don Mills Road.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=1fec91e1ba9623258d4d97326e379658c55390eb)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 21, 2021, 06:16:50 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2021, 09:29:20 PM
The Skyline of North York.  As seen from Don Mills Road.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=1fec91e1ba9623258d4d97326e379658c55390eb)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg)

Holy Sprawl Batman!  This is how the same place looked back in 2009. https://goo.gl/maps/mQ8shF7bVBKUjh2i7
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 21, 2021, 07:29:14 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on June 21, 2021, 06:16:50 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 20, 2021, 09:29:20 PM
The Skyline of North York.  As seen from Don Mills Road.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=1fec91e1ba9623258d4d97326e379658c55390eb)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB-EXP-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg)

Holy Sprawl Batman!  This is how the same place looked back in 2009. https://goo.gl/maps/mQ8shF7bVBKUjh2i7

To the north of the 401 here is Sheppard Avenue, where there's a subway line. That's probably why.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 29, 2021, 12:56:59 AM
View looking easterly along the 401 from the Renforth overpass towards the 427 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_348_east_EB_night_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=0376d2d53a8adbf4dceaf1a52e033860f953b8ca)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_348_east_EB_night_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 01, 2021, 06:40:27 PM
A couple of photos of the new signage that has been erected along the 401 through Whitby.  The Brock Street interchange has been under construction over the past several years:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_410-5_west_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=9c7aff95a78e1b223c58ea17c4da204c956df36d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_410-5_west_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_410-1_west_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=232c0d9c6f0bf4e52c965144d2c14fe4c77ef841)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_410-1_west_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 01, 2021, 08:40:49 PM
Photos looking easterly from the Doon Valley Pedestrian Bridge overtop of the 401 towards the Grand River Bridges.  Work is very much underway to replace the twin Grand River Bridges:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_276_east_EB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=83bdebc23a4477734ac4fef8a2313f20fbad6e75)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_276_east_EB_Jun21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_276_east_EB_Jun21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_276_east_WB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=8c9616e5be6bb081be45cd64aecb5e739ae81f07)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_276_east_WB_Jun21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_276_east_WB_Jun21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 01, 2021, 08:43:07 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on July 01, 2021, 06:40:27 PM
A couple of photos of the new signage that has been erected along the 401 through Whitby.  The Brock Street interchange has been under construction over the past several years:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_410-5_west_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=9c7aff95a78e1b223c58ea17c4da204c956df36d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_410-5_west_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_410-1_west_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=232c0d9c6f0bf4e52c965144d2c14fe4c77ef841)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_410-1_west_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Wonder why RR-46 isn't shown on the sign for Brock Street

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 01, 2021, 10:05:14 PM
Views of the 401 through the Hespeler Road widening.  Like the photos up thread, these photos were taken earlier this week:

View looking westerly through the Hespeler Road (Hwy 24) overpass.  Machinery is in the median to place the footings for the central pier.  The form work for the outer abutments are visible on either side of the highway:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_282_west_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=11edec331975d12cc4747f34d277cef464be54b0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_282_west_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Two views looking westerly towards the Hwy 24 interchange from the Franklin Boulevard interchange.  The partial interchange at Franklin Boulevard has been closed during this stage of the construction project:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_284_west_t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=ffba736e534a1c5b98def1e43b26b23d90e02f54)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_284_west_t_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_284_west_EB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=f6fdb3c9861ffd11caf7a6545f41445be5d7aec5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_284_west_EB_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Easterly view towards Toronto from Franklin Boulevard:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_284_east_c_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=80b8346eb01ea71d407b0ff86a528d6886700fac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_284_east_c_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_284_east_EB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=d77c7860aecf33bfceaa287096ef5c79d2401455)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_284_east_EB_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 02, 2021, 12:20:10 PM
A few more photos of the 401, this time from the Highway 25 overpass in Milton.

The first few photos look west towards Cambridge:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_320_west_t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=eec149a3e602ba34a54d916e490224dc48d629c6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_320_west_t_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_320_west_w_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=543b71d6f542ee6860fb4b678ed7dd96ddd99a1b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_320_west_w_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Two views looking easterly towards Toronto from Highway 25:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_320_east_c-t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=c1975ef3004d450ed0398dcba732314a50517276)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_320_east_c-t_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_320_east_EB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=d105ef0040db999a1bc8f6c4752d33f4ce5c6878)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_320_east_EB_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 02, 2021, 01:02:46 PM
Wow, so empty... Usually there's so much traffic (especially trucks)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 02, 2021, 01:12:37 PM
These were shot fairly late in the evening, so traffic was fairly light.  I'd have to check the exif data from the camera, but these were probably taken at 7:30 or so in the evening.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 03, 2021, 01:22:45 PM
Some signs on the westbound collector lanes of the 401 through Mississauga.  These aren't new signs or anything, but I like these photos so I am uploading them:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_347-5_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=abd117fd041eb0dc85824ed78d4bb3827fc21e9c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_347-5_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_346-5_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=6567dbd0542caedc2db50646b19d5a5f276bf574)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_346-5_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_346-1_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=11af9b19a41eca8f23bf90c5a0b0607bf399fc86)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_346-1_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_345_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=01a0df12ab59297a19771eba00c091d836721a5c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_345_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_344-5_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=1db8f91c5231b78f14fdaac8ddcb21e840e7702d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_344-5_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_344-1_west_C_Jun21.jpg&hash=7f749fcf417520dd8e9c9af6a53dae4dbb3f1308)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_344-1_west_C_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 03, 2021, 04:55:18 PM
I think that 403 in Mississauga shouldn't be signed as "QEW via 403" or "401 via 403" anymore because I don't really think it serves through traffic as much anymore. Maybe in the 80s it did but now there are significant "destinations" along the 403 in Mississauga. Idk, just my thought.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 03, 2021, 06:40:26 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on July 03, 2021, 04:55:18 PM
I think that 403 in Mississauga shouldn't be signed as "QEW via 403" or "401 via 403" anymore because I don't really think it serves through traffic as much anymore. Maybe in the 80s it did but now there are significant "destinations" along the 403 in Mississauga. Idk, just my thought.

I guess is for tourists who aren't too familiar with the GTA and miss Hwy-427 to reach the QEW then they got Hwy-403 as an alternative.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 03, 2021, 07:56:46 PM
^ Personally, I'm fine with the QEW via 403 wording.  Sure, there are other ways to word the sign, but I think the QEW should be signed from the 401, and vice versa.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 03, 2021, 08:03:01 PM
Some views looking at the 427 from Langstaff Road, shot earlier this week:

Southerly view overtop of the southbound lanes:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_23_south_SB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=627a66cbff82f17f0549967f0a898b011144e94b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/427_cl_23_south_SB_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Southerly view overtop of the northbound lanes:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_23_south_NB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=e4f4ee884484dc4511f3546fd680ecce87e1d162)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/427_cl_23_south_NB_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Northerly view from the centre of the highway:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_23_north_c_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=734500ec50b5e7a6bf3a2b3e5c67815d0c725fa6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/427_cl_23_north_c_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Northerly view looking north overtop of the northbound lanes:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_23_north_NB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=aae0fecb7ef87038f9408144e822eb05a87adb7c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/427_cl_23_north_NB_Jun21_24x16.jpg

Northerly view looking northerly overtop of the southbound lanes:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F427_cl_23_north_SB_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=1602ecf5bcd8002787b1d4a7b26441c6006300ee)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/427_cl_23_north_SB_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 03, 2021, 10:26:29 PM
Hm, I wonder if the repaving has anything to do with the lawsuit and the province demanding the 2% runoff grade
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 07, 2021, 05:13:50 PM
A few photos that I took last month of the 403 approaching the 401/410 interchange in Mississauga.  Again, not too much new here or anything, just sharing photos that I took:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_cl_122_east_c_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=a1a3972102172f53c9525b74715fa9b32e7725b7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/403_cl_122_east_c_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_cl_122_east_E_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=9129e3ff71edd6c4b34ab0aa1488d591b5459b6e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/403_cl_122_east_E_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_cl_122_east_EB-C_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=308dc88f911760041104fcf07aa98c1194b14c8e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/403_cl_122_east_EB-C_Jun21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_cl_122_east_t_Jun21_forum.jpg&hash=1732c866d06622082003bd40dfefb0b388b3ca0e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/403_cl_122_east_t_Jun21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 17, 2021, 07:31:59 PM
There's a road project who desserve to be more known, the third crossing of Kingston Ontario who'll offer an alternative to Hwy-401 and former Hwy-2.
https://thirdcrossing.cityofkingston.ca/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 17, 2021, 08:56:05 PM
I mean, the 401 and the Causeway crossing aren't that congested? Are they?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 18, 2021, 07:34:44 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on July 17, 2021, 08:56:05 PM
I mean, the 401 and the Causeway crossing aren't that congested? Are they?

Hwy-401 isn't usually that congested but the Causeway is and it might also relief some traffic away from downtown. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 18, 2021, 06:26:55 PM
As Stephane has indicated, the LaSalle Causeway is busy and deposits all traffic onto busy downtown streets.

The City of Kingston wants to develop the lands east of the river and needs a more comprehensive transportation network in order to do so sensibly.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 21, 2021, 08:42:35 PM
View of Highway 400 looking southerly from the King/Vaughan Road overpass.  The dedicated HOV ingress/egress lane can be seen on the southbound side of the highway.  This is a new approach to managing access to and from HOV lanes -- a first for a highway in Ontario:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_41_south_SB_t_Jul21.jpg&hash=4fb42da07ba36e2172808f1527abdf7ca821cb7f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_41_south_SB_t_Jul21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 21, 2021, 09:17:16 PM
Hol up, how??? So instead of just having broken lines, there will be dedicated exits/entrances like some US express lanes???

I mean, good idea, but to me, they coulda just made another general purpose lane instead of that...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 22, 2021, 12:33:58 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on July 21, 2021, 09:17:16 PM
Hol up, how??? So instead of just having broken lines, there will be dedicated exits/entrances like some US express lanes???

I mean, good idea, but to me, they coulda just made another general purpose lane instead of that...

A lot of it is at the expense of the shoulder, at least based on the photo above. Not continuous by any means so no room for an additional lane.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 22, 2021, 04:57:23 PM
A series of views looking both west and east on the 401 from the Avenue Road overpass.  A pavement rehabilitation project is underway to rehabilitate the concrete road base on the eastbound express lanes through here:

View looking westerly from the Avenue Road overpass.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_367_west_C_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=6045add45bc7b82db512c3217afda81cc4b90ed4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_367_west_C_Jul21_24x16.jpg

A fifth eastbound lane has been temporarily added to the collector lanes while the express lanes are reduced.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_367_west_EB_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=652a0b662c2d8d96a247df8560c2ac7b3336db67)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_367_west_EB_Jul21_24x16.jpg

Easterly view from Avenue Road.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_367_east_c_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=9c4dd6ce3ca45952c7cc0e7d2b80b46aabcc7496)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_367_east_c_Jul21_24x16.jpg

View looking easterly overtop of the eastbound express lanes. The dowels that link the pre-existing concrete to the new slabs have already been drilled and grouted into the pre-existing concrete road base in advance of the new slab being poured.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_367_east_EB-EXP_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=b10473185023c3437a262f8d0c4c5d491da106e6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_367_east_EB-EXP_Jul21_24x16.jpg

Zoomed in view of the previous photo. The ever growing North York Skyline is visible in the distance.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_367_east_EB-EXP-t_Jul21_forum.jpg&hash=ce7c40473c53fabcde559475a030f0fdbd7d3bc7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_367_east_EB-EXP-t_Jul21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 23, 2021, 09:56:27 AM
Oh wow, they already moved to Avenue. I only knew of the same thing in happening in the East End.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 03, 2021, 11:40:12 PM
Another 401 photo from North York.  This photo is looking westerly from Vic Park:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_376_west_night_C_Aug21_forum.png&hash=997649e20b8d4c8cb3468d7f5649f5a426aee204)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_376_west_night_C_Aug21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_376_west_night_C_Aug21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 04, 2021, 11:43:14 AM
Very nice.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 04, 2021, 12:33:15 PM
Neat! Looks like a photo from an advertisement for something. Seriously professional.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2021, 08:04:38 PM
^ Thanks.  I have been doing a fair amount of night photography lately.  I always love finding an excuse to use my camera, and because international travel is still limited it's fun to go out and shoot a subject I've shot a bunch of times before but with very different conditions.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 13, 2021, 12:45:19 AM
Night view of the 410 approaching the 407 interchange in Brampton:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F410_cl_4_north_NB_night_Aug21_forum.jpg&hash=f103367d16df3729d8fb6c69eebf9b6eeb85bb39)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/410_cl_4_north_NB_night_Aug21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 15, 2021, 09:25:36 PM
Two views looking westerly from Trafalgar Road on the 401 in between Milton and Mississauga.  Traffic was recently diverted into the collector lanes west of Trafalgar Road, and these photos reflect that:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_c_w_Aug21_forum.jpg&hash=7bda0bd0f58629a099d51fec2bc7292b0f20d964)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c_w_Aug21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_c_t_Aug21_forum.jpg&hash=9627238f5c58a7544f265e78955e91a9bbcb8cf4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c_t_Aug21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 16, 2021, 11:21:23 AM
Oh wow, that was quick.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2021, 01:14:19 PM
And a bit hilly, is this close to where Hwy-401 pass the Niagara Escarpment?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 16, 2021, 01:22:20 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2021, 01:14:19 PM
And a bit hilly, is this close to where Hwy-401 pass the Niagara Escarpment?

Yep, that's the Niagara Escarpment in the background.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: ghYHZ on August 16, 2021, 05:54:49 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 16, 2021, 01:22:20 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2021, 01:14:19 PM
And a bit hilly, is this close to where Hwy-401 pass the Niagara Escarpment?

Yep, that's the Niagara Escarpment in the background.

Is that Rattlesnake Point in the distance?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 16, 2021, 06:47:46 PM
Quote from: ghYHZ on August 16, 2021, 05:54:49 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 16, 2021, 01:22:20 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2021, 01:14:19 PM
And a bit hilly, is this close to where Hwy-401 pass the Niagara Escarpment?
Yep, that's the Niagara Escarpment in the background.
Is that Rattlesnake Point in the distance?
Yep, Rattlesnake Point is on the far left of the first picture. For some reason I've never hiked there despite living only a half hour away.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 31, 2021, 08:50:45 PM
This ramp from the Lakeshore to the Gardiner Expressway is set to permanently close tonight (Aug 31) at 9pm for demolition as part of the Gardiner East Replacement project.  New ramps to and from Lakeshore Boulevard are set to be constructed west of the Don River in the coming years.

I'm sure it will look great once it's been completed, but I've always loved driving through this interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_2_images%2F2-GDR-Ramp-Demolition_Aug21_forum.jpg&hash=cfec6e96fdb763ce0c7b5eaee90d689a566caaf4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_2_images/2-GDR-Ramp-Demolition_Aug21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 31, 2021, 09:18:36 PM
Driving under it on the Lakeshore I feel is even nicer
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 07, 2021, 09:27:34 PM
A quick photo of the QEW bridge over the Credit River in suburban Mississauga.  Work is currently underway to twin this bridge.  If you look closely at the right side of the photo below, you can see the coffer dam for the pier that is set to be set in the water in the Credit River.

The old bridge dates back from the 1930s (1936 off the top of my head) and was subsequently widened in the 1950s (again, off the top of my head).  The new bridge won't match the existing bridge, but is designed to be a modern compliment to the existing bridge.  I was lucky to get this shot, a strong storm blew in shortly after I shot this:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_CreditRiver_FEB_Sep21_forum.jpg&hash=0a4101467e00c6102e27ed6190e8688b60c13cf0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_CreditRiver_FEB_Sep21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 08, 2021, 11:05:44 PM
Hmmm, but that ROW in Misssissauga can't really be widened, so I hope that doesn't become a bottleneck
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 09, 2021, 12:11:15 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 08, 2021, 11:05:44 PM
Hmmm, but that ROW in Misssissauga can't really be widened, so I hope that doesn't become a bottleneck

Are you talking about the QEW? I mean, development is pretty tight along it, but there are options. Most notably the Expropriations Act.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 09, 2021, 02:22:27 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on September 09, 2021, 12:11:15 AM
Are you talking about the QEW? I mean, development is pretty tight along it, but there are options. Most notably the Expropriations Act.

Judging from Google Streeview, there some houses who was removed along North Service Road near Dixie Rd althought there was a new construction done.
https://goo.gl/maps/3M8PyRbgqc3VXGZq9
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 09, 2021, 11:20:48 PM
I've always thought that these houses along Premium Way were kind of neat.  If you look at the streetview images, although these homes now front onto Premium Way, it's pretty obvious that these are the rear of the homes.  These homes are old enough that they originally fronted onto the QEW itself, and then the service road was constructed behind them:

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5664029,-79.6034417,3a,72.6y,125.68h,90.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYEQ4IJ6MPCV2rSpkMlFXAg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 10, 2021, 07:55:31 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 09, 2021, 11:20:48 PM
I've always thought that these houses along Premium Way were kind of neat.  If you look at the streetview images, although these homes now front onto Premium Way, it's pretty obvious that these are the rear of the homes.  These homes are old enough that they originally fronted onto the QEW itself, and then the service road was constructed behind them:

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5664029,-79.6034417,3a,72.6y,125.68h,90.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYEQ4IJ6MPCV2rSpkMlFXAg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Wow that's definitely an interesting quirk
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on September 10, 2021, 08:44:52 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 10, 2021, 07:55:31 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 09, 2021, 11:20:48 PM
I've always thought that these houses along Premium Way were kind of neat.  If you look at the streetview images, although these homes now front onto Premium Way, it's pretty obvious that these are the rear of the homes.  These homes are old enough that they originally fronted onto the QEW itself, and then the service road was constructed behind them:

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5664029,-79.6034417,3a,72.6y,125.68h,90.67t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYEQ4IJ6MPCV2rSpkMlFXAg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Wow that's definitely an interesting quirk
#96 looks pretty uncomfortable
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 19, 2021, 10:38:11 AM
The Highway 427 extension had opened yesterday
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 19, 2021, 11:09:10 AM
I filmed a video of the 427 extension that opened yesterday:

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on September 19, 2021, 08:39:47 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 19, 2021, 11:09:10 AM
I filmed a video of the 427 extension that opened yesterday:



Very cool video. :)   I also saw then Major Mackenzie Drive got some realignements here and there on these satellite shots. https://satellites.pro/Canada_map#E43.823023,-79.651544,15
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on September 20, 2021, 09:40:07 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 19, 2021, 11:09:10 AM
I filmed a video of the 427 extension that opened yesterday:



Thanks for posting that!  Was able to nail down the exit numbers for TM, including seeing that the ON-409 & Derry Road exits now have exit numbers posted too (at least on one BGS for each)! :)  And that 409 exit number (@ 1:46 of the video) is very new too, as StreetView from Aug '21 (https://goo.gl/maps/PoDdPi84K32AbSE16) doesn't even show it yet!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 22, 2021, 12:24:33 PM
The exit number tabs didn't start getting installed until about the labour day long weekend.

I'm not sure when exit numbers will be installed south of the 409.  There is a single exit number for Valhalla Road near the Gardiner, but the remainder of the signs will be installed by a different contractor.

Sign work is often done late in the winter or early in the spring, after most of the snow removal business has been taken care of but it's still too cold to start other major construction work, so it wouldn't surprise me if the reamainder of the exit numbers are installed around then.  But who knows, I've certainly been surprised before.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 22, 2021, 01:23:59 PM
Interesting. I wonder how it'll sign some exits, for example the NB Express Dundas exit and the Collector exits are not the same exit, but they are still signed as Dundas.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 26, 2021, 08:10:02 PM
Some recent photos of the 401 construction from my most recent pilgrimage.

A few up to date views looking both directions from the Trafalgar Road overpass  over the 401:

Looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_Sep26-21_forum.jpg&hash=122fcb44c312431aecc92f18f32750f196eaf019)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg)

Looking east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_WB_Sep26-21_forum.jpg&hash=112db6ca704b157677c911a64dc2553805e1f19b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg)

Some newly erected signs
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_327_east_Sep26-21_forum.jpg&hash=d0f95d3cfa44ae3948cb10784fc0a0ffb34ee24e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_327_east_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_327_east_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_327-5_west_Sep26-21_forum.jpg&hash=872c759c69b8bdf5cbc76b8b50750e61b155149f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_327-5_west_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_327-5_west_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_329-5_east_Sep26-21_forum.jpg&hash=0e21dcc699dc4e23c02f3aa880677e718c66cb99)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_329-5_east_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_329-5_east_Sep26-21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 27, 2021, 08:22:46 AM
How do you take those photos while driving?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 27, 2021, 09:20:55 AM
I use a proper camera, and in this case these photos were taken with a fixed lens, (a 50mm lens on my cropped sensor camera).  I dial in all of my camera settings (such as shutter speed, and aperture ahead of time, use Auto ISO), and then set my focus point to a location in the upper third of the frame so that the camera focuses on the road sign.  I then simply point the camera and click the shutter when I have the sign in my frame where I want it to be.  I usually take more than one photo in case my camera misses focus or I hit a bump in the road when I hit the shutter.

I've kind of set myself up so that I can operate my camera in such a way that it doesn't really distract me from driving.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 27, 2021, 02:44:13 PM
View looking easterly towards the Toronto Skyline from the Winston Churchill Boulevard overtop of the QEW:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_cl_124_TB_skyline_Sep21_forum.jpg&hash=a93e7404d641c55ad935c0a5557d836721249550)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_cl_124_TB_skyline_Sep21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_cl_124_TB_skyline_Sep21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on September 27, 2021, 05:08:43 PM
Bloody Nora. I forgot how big the Toronto skyline is. Spectacular shot!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Plutonic Panda on September 27, 2021, 06:23:40 PM
Wow!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 27, 2021, 07:24:33 PM
condos condos condos from North York Centre to Downtown.

Toronto still sprawls like crazy though despite that
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Rothman on September 27, 2021, 07:26:33 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 27, 2021, 07:24:33 PM
condos condos condos from North York Centre to Downtown.

Toronto still sprawls like crazy though despite that
The sprawl along the southern shore and QEW is likewise "impressive."
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on October 06, 2021, 06:44:13 PM
Quote from: Rothman on September 27, 2021, 07:26:33 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 27, 2021, 07:24:33 PM
condos condos condos from North York Centre to Downtown.

Toronto still sprawls like crazy though despite that
The sprawl along the southern shore and QEW is likewise "impressive."

Is the area of highrises even larger than that of NY?

{I'm asking in terms of area, not height.  From that vantage point, it appears to be linear corridor of about 20 miles of highrises.}
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 06, 2021, 11:41:47 PM
^ That's a good question, I don't know the answer.  The above photo is a fairly flattering angle of Toronto, but Toronto does have a ton of tall buildings.  I have a hard time thinking that it really rivals New York.  The Manhattan Skyline is pretty impressive.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on October 07, 2021, 11:29:08 AM
In terms of number of skyscrapers 150m+ NYC has 4x as many as Toronto, which makes sense given the respective populations. @mrsman's comment about it being a linear corridor is fairly accurate as along the Yonge Street subway line, though there are still plenty around other transportation hubs/corridors.

Either way, Toronto's skyline is pretty impressive these days, and it's astonishing how much it's grown recently.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 07, 2021, 04:49:46 PM
What you don't see in that angle is all the sprawl. In reality, there's usually quite a lot of low density in-between the towers outside the downtown core (and sometimes within as well). As for Yonge, it is true that Yonge has a lot of intensification, but likewise, also has low-density portions even wth the subway line.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 07, 2021, 05:00:16 PM
Toronto isn't really that sprawly. At least not in a North America context. In most cities in North America you would never see the monolithic condo towers situated 25km away from the Downtown core like you see here.

If one were to drive around Atlanta, which is not that much smaller than Toronto, you'd never see tall residential towers outside of either Downtown or Buckhead.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 07, 2021, 05:35:37 PM


I don't know about the above. To me, given that Mississauga has already built out to its borders, and Brampton is nearing that soon (they're starting to get up to Mayfield Road), the GTA seems sprawly to me. And in Mississauga's case, the only possible way to continue population growth is to build up now.

I'd consider some residential towers as sprawl too. I believe sprawl is defined as "the unrestricted growth in many urban areas of housing, commercial development, and roads over large expanses of land, with little concern for urban planning.", and I feel that some residential towers are being built with little regard to the surroundings. For example, there is a proposal to build a tall (can't remember the exact number of floors) tower at the corner of Yonge and Bernard in RH, which doesn't seem like a great idea due to the surrounding infrastructure probably being unable to support that. There's also a tower proposal on a vacant lot next to Alexander Mackenzie HS at Yonge/Major Mack, which again, does not seem like a wise place to build such a tower.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on October 10, 2021, 06:18:07 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on October 07, 2021, 11:29:08 AM
In terms of number of skyscrapers 150m+ NYC has 4x as many as Toronto, which makes sense given the respective populations. @mrsman's comment about it being a linear corridor is fairly accurate as along the Yonge Street subway line, though there are still plenty around other transportation hubs/corridors.

Either way, Toronto's skyline is pretty impressive these days, and it's astonishing how much it's grown recently.

I'm trying to find as good a vantage point for NYC, thru GSV.  It is hard to capture both Midtown and Downtown in one shot.  Another issue that probably impacts Manhattan is that the "Valley" (between Canal and 14th) doesn't have many tall buildings at all.  Kind of view them as being separate high rise CBDs.

I'll ask around on the Northeast Roads forum.  I'm sure someone there has a good impressive photograph of Manhattan's skyline as viewed from a highway.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 10, 2021, 11:09:15 PM
There's a view that doesn't suck from the New Jersey Turnpike, but I don't recall if it's both Downtown and Midtown.  The location I am thinking of might just be Midtown
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on October 10, 2021, 11:52:48 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 10, 2021, 11:09:15 PM
There's a view that doesn't suck from the New Jersey Turnpike, but I don't recall if it's both Downtown and Midtown.  The location I am thinking of might just be Midtown
There's a thread open on the Northeast forum now so please go there (:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Transportfan on October 27, 2021, 10:56:23 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on September 27, 2021, 07:24:33 PM
condos condos condos from North York Centre to Downtown.

Toronto still sprawls like crazy though despite that

Not really surprising. The biggest cities tend to have both the most impressive skylines and the most sprawl. It actually goes together and is to be expected when you think about it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 07, 2021, 10:53:14 PM
Evening view looking southerly from the King Road overpass along the 400.  The northbound HOV still has yet to open to traffic:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_43_South_SB_night_Nov21_forum.jpg&hash=326dd99b10d13669a6c6a1b586f1cd0b7da02be8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_43_south_SB_night_Nov21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 07, 2021, 11:24:23 PM
LED luminaries
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 09, 2021, 05:00:53 PM
https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/a-no-brainer-ford-announces-full-funding-for-bradford-bypass-4735783

Bradford Bypass has been fully funded by the government  :clap:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 09, 2021, 09:48:24 PM
Bradford Bypass is nice, although a freeway connecting Hwy 400 and 404 through Richmond Hill (around Oak Ridges area) might be more useful
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2021, 04:40:24 PM
View looking easterly from the Creditview Road overpass.  Traffic was shifted from the old lanes to the future collector lanes over the weekend:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_forum.jpg&hash=2dd4a570a5042bd6f3d7b17c1ec238b67777b594)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov21-21_forum.jpg&hash=9dfe773d5937a61f4254d68f02020c95621773cd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov21-21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 21, 2021, 05:38:42 PM
Wonder if those signs are going away soon or repositioned
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 21, 2021, 10:58:08 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2021, 04:40:24 PM
View looking easterly from the Creditview Road overpass.  Traffic was shifted from the old lanes to the future collector lanes over the weekend:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_forum.jpg&hash=2dd4a570a5042bd6f3d7b17c1ec238b67777b594)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_24x16.jpg

OOOF.  I don't think they were thinking there with the WB Express lanes.  3 -> 1 to merge in with the Collector.  OUCH.  That will be a major bottleneck for sure!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 22, 2021, 09:16:26 AM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 21, 2021, 10:58:08 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2021, 04:40:24 PM
View looking easterly from the Creditview Road overpass.  Traffic was shifted from the old lanes to the future collector lanes over the weekend:

[image redacted]

OOOF.  I don't think they were thinking there with the WB Express lanes.  3 -> 1 to merge in with the Collector.  OUCH.  That will be a major bottleneck for sure!

Even when it was everything to the Express lanes, it was also a bottleneck. On the Express side, the left lane was HOV that turned into a general lane, and the right lane ended, bringing it down to 2, except that there was a "lane shift" due to the HOV becoming a regular lane. On the collector side, it went from 3-2. All that into 4 lanes, and then one of those lanes also ended becoming 3. Pretty much all day there's a backup here rush hour or not (minus the late night)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 22, 2021, 12:24:09 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on November 21, 2021, 10:58:08 PM
OOOF.  I don't think they were thinking there with the WB Express lanes.  3 -> 1 to merge in with the Collector.  OUCH.  That will be a major bottleneck for sure!

I suspect the configuration will be adjusted before the snow flies.  I can't see them leaving the express lanes merging to a single lane like that for the long term.

We shall see though.  Yesterday was the first day of the new configuration and the express lanes were pretty pooched all day long.  Judging by the traffic cameras the majority of transport trucks along the corridor seem to have figured out that they should stay in the collector lanes at least.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on November 28, 2021, 12:39:52 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2021, 04:40:24 PM
View looking easterly from the Creditview Road overpass.  Traffic was shifted from the old lanes to the future collector lanes over the weekend:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_forum.jpg&hash=2dd4a570a5042bd6f3d7b17c1ec238b67777b594)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_C_Nov21-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov21-21_forum.jpg&hash=9dfe773d5937a61f4254d68f02020c95621773cd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov21-21_24x16.jpg

Could you explain what is going on for those not familiar with the area?  Are they temporarily closing the express lanes in order to do a widening project or a repaving? 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 28, 2021, 03:33:14 PM
Quote from: mrsman on November 28, 2021, 12:39:52 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on November 21, 2021, 04:40:24 PM
View looking easterly from the Creditview Road overpass.  Traffic was shifted from the old lanes to the future collector lanes over the weekend:

image redacted

Could you explain what is going on for those not familiar with the area?  Are they temporarily closing the express lanes in order to do a widening project or a repaving?


I don't have any sources, I'm just speculating, but I think they're demolishing the now-Express lanes and just rebuilding them to today's standards. In addition, it's also getting an HOV lane, so some minor widening is also needed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 28, 2021, 03:53:41 PM
Quote from: mrsman on November 28, 2021, 12:39:52 PM
Could you explain what is going on for those not familiar with the area?  Are they temporarily closing the express lanes in order to do a widening project or a repaving? 

The old lanes (which will become the express lanes) are being closed for about a year for full depth reconstruction.  Pretty much of all old bridges are going to be demolished and being replaced, and there will be some vertical geometry revisions to the old lanes to match the new construction as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 29, 2021, 05:45:14 PM
A few photos of the 401 expansion project through Mississauga from the Mississauga Road overpass.  These photos were taken about two weeks ago when things looked far less wintry than they to today:

View looking westerly from Mississauga Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_C_Dec17-21_forum.jpg&hash=10cc377a2da79f97e89411c4be376511dd854af2)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Dec17-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_t_Dec17-21_forum.jpg&hash=1b4f385986f08f6eb2372bc86da5fc2584ca6bb4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_t_Dec17-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_EB-w_Dec17_forum.jpg&hash=763d8068db07fe1cab3eeafae9ecba9719847868)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB-w_Dec17-24x16.jpg

Easterly views from east of the Mississauga Road overpass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_east_C_Dec17-21_forum.jpg&hash=e3290375db30b9751c3005122ac6937b787109b0)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_east_C_Dec17-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_east_WB_Dec17_forum.jpg&hash=a38eda47f9491024af318e94d7950d939aa955dc)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_east_WB_Dec17-21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_east_EB_Dec17-21_forum.jpg&hash=1fb585356f92675b84f87fa9854ae6674027d10a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_east_EB_Dec17-21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 01, 2022, 12:25:45 PM
Westbound signage along the 401 through Mississauga and Milton:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_337_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=d48cc7d1b0d19612afd8a6cafdd1638ad127ff8f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_337_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_336-5_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=3c9718e1b893269b026cc077afd413e821e94677)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_336-5_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_336-1_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=d79583c28afb203bcdf62d44a074934468999f72)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_336-1_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_333-5_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=cd12f38ad29b42491a845be98c9200da7e416bd9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_333-5_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_328-1_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=50bd39cd0c75f46914d5dad89cfb01c976b388e5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_328-1_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_324-1_west_C_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=281329efef02ba569f6223166e97ca3b0cd111ac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_324-1_west_C_Dec21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 01:36:51 PM
"RR-25 8 km" looks a bit funny without a road name...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 01, 2022, 03:58:04 PM
The signs approaching the QEW/403 split in eastern Oakville:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_118-5_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=9304fee96429f85eabeade28e415b56e4fc013a6)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_118-5_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_119_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=8f174e3db3d90e96ead82ffb09493365a529ee85)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_119_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_119-5_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=1a780d3121ff38d5a299df11d4906f247bb8bc56)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_119-5_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_121_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=d0bf603c47b28c7b432ad3024152cb84f78c2b0d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_121_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_121-5_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=60b4cbd975519fb7f64c6f4f799a2805e6fa3205)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_121-5_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_122_TB_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=c64f9c502abfcd0c7bc645c953e5c5c0383cb39e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_122_TB_Dec21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_402-403_images%2F403_dv_104_east_Dec21_forum.jpg&hash=a5df3d1bdd2177b239f40f69edaa98f6d64be36d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_402-403_images/403_dv_104_east_Dec21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 11:22:52 PM
I remember there being construction there for a while; what did they actually do?.

Also looking at Streetview the old sign said "Toronto via 403 and 401". Interesting
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on January 15, 2022, 07:58:42 PM
The hysteria over the 413 and Bradford Bypass is just showing the utter contempt Ontario's urban elites hold for the masses, specifically their homes and their cars.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 15, 2022, 08:54:10 PM

I wished the 413 extended over to Hwy 404
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on January 15, 2022, 09:30:10 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 15, 2022, 08:54:10 PM

I wished the 413 extended over to Hwy 404
How about to the 115?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 16, 2022, 12:28:43 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 29, 2021, 05:45:14 PM
A few photos of the 401 expansion project through Mississauga from the Mississauga Road overpass.  These photos were taken about two weeks ago when things looked far less wintry than they to today:

[photos snipped]

Thanks for all the photos! It's really interesting to see the progress of this project since I haven't been up to that area in almost two years now.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 16, 2022, 12:35:33 PM
Just found out last weekend that ON 401 is getting widening from Tilbury to London in a multi-year project. When complete, ON 401 will have six lanes from Windsor to Toronto: https://highway401tilburytolondon.ca/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 1995hoo on February 16, 2022, 12:42:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 01:36:51 PM
"RR-25 8 km" looks a bit funny without a road name...

I was thinking it looks funny to see a period used after the abbreviations for the road types (St., Pkwy., Blvd., etc.).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 17, 2022, 06:54:13 PM
View looking southerly along Highway 579 approaching the Abitibi River crossing, north of Cochrane:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fsecondary%2Fhwy_550-599_images%2F579_cl_DSC09023_Feb22_forum.jpg&hash=ca4a8f659261831ef230ca6942477f0e7bf0a704)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/secondary/hwy_550-599_images/579_cl_DSC09023_Feb22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/secondary/hwy_550-599_images/579_cl_DSC09023_Feb22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 18, 2022, 02:07:00 PM
https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/151352

Tolls on the 412 and the 418 are going to be removed, effective April 5th.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 18, 2022, 02:51:09 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 16, 2022, 12:42:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 01:36:51 PM
"RR-25 8 km" looks a bit funny without a road name...

I was thinking it looks funny to see a period used after the abbreviations for the road types (St., Pkwy., Blvd., etc.).

I mean, I believe that's how you're supposed to do it when you abbreviate something according to English rules. Might be wrong though.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 18, 2022, 02:53:37 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 18, 2022, 02:07:00 PM
https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/151352

Tolls on the 412 and the 418 are going to be removed, effective April 5th.

Oh wow. More signage to be changed now...

The local road interchanges at the ends of the freeways are also partial interchanges, so that kinda sucks.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 1995hoo on February 18, 2022, 03:22:47 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 18, 2022, 02:51:09 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 16, 2022, 12:42:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 01:36:51 PM
"RR-25 8 km" looks a bit funny without a road name...

I was thinking it looks funny to see a period used after the abbreviations for the road types (St., Pkwy., Blvd., etc.).

I mean, I believe that's how you're supposed to do it when you abbreviate something according to English rules. Might be wrong though.

That's largely a regionalism. The Brits omit periods for a lot of things for which Americans would use them–the Brits would address John Smith as "Mr Smith," for examples, whereas Americans would use "Mr. Smith." Setting that aside, though, in the USA highway signs do not ordinarily use periods after abbreviations, which is why the periods on the Ontario signs look funny to me. Interesting that I don't recall noticing that on my most recent trip to Kingston and Toronto in 2019.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GenExpwy on February 19, 2022, 03:24:30 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 18, 2022, 03:22:47 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 18, 2022, 02:51:09 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 16, 2022, 12:42:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 01, 2022, 01:36:51 PM
"RR-25 8 km" looks a bit funny without a road name...

I was thinking it looks funny to see a period used after the abbreviations for the road types (St., Pkwy., Blvd., etc.).

I mean, I believe that's how you're supposed to do it when you abbreviate something according to English rules. Might be wrong though.

That's largely a regionalism. The Brits omit periods for a lot of things for which Americans would use them–the Brits would address John Smith as "Mr Smith," for examples, whereas Americans would use "Mr. Smith." Setting that aside, though, in the USA highway signs do not ordinarily use periods after abbreviations, which is why the periods on the Ontario signs look funny to me. Interesting that I don't recall noticing that on my most recent trip to Kingston and Toronto in 2019.

The British writing rule is to use a period only when the final letter has been removed, thus:

          Rep. John Smith Jr

because the final e has been lost from Representative, but the r in Junior is still there.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on February 19, 2022, 07:30:09 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 18, 2022, 02:53:37 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 18, 2022, 02:07:00 PM
https://www.durhamradionews.com/archives/151352

Tolls on the 412 and the 418 are going to be removed, effective April 5th.

Oh wow. More signage to be changed now...

The local road interchanges at the ends of the freeways are also partial interchanges, so that kinda sucks.

On the other side, those who taked photos of these exits signs will be historic photos. ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 1995hoo on February 21, 2022, 11:03:21 AM
I don't have time to watch the whole thing right now (taking advantage of a holiday plus nice weather to get stuff done around the house), but this showed up in my YouTube recommendations and I thought it might be of interest here: "Traffic and transportation around Toronto and Ontario in the 1960s—70s"

https://youtu.be/hr2D5iUXGXk
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 21, 2022, 11:06:21 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on February 21, 2022, 11:03:21 AM
I don't have time to watch the whole thing right now (taking advantage of a holiday plus nice weather to get stuff done around the house), but this showed up in my YouTube recommendations and I thought it might be of interest here: "Traffic and transportation around Toronto and Ontario in the 1960s—70s"

https://youtu.be/hr2D5iUXGXk

idk if it's just me or the audio cuts out midway. Still, amazes me that so much shit was built back then in the 60s-70s-80s and pretty much nothing else afterwards.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Driving around Toronto this weekend made me think something's awry with highway design in the area.  Couldn't put my finger on what was the issue, but something to do with how lanes merge or drop off or become exit only just seemed off.

Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Buffaboy on February 21, 2022, 11:43:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Driving around Toronto this weekend made me think something's awry with highway design in the area.  Couldn't put my finger on what was the issue, but something to do with how lanes merge or drop off or become exit only just seemed off.

Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

What a coincidence, I drove up to Toronto on Saturday. Something did seem odd about their highways, even on the QEW. But they were pleasant to drive on, except for a line of potholes near Niagara Falls.

A question: I read about a proposed freeway from the early 2000s that was supposed to run from Fort Erie to the Hamilton airport. This does not exist today. Does anyone know what this was and why it stalled?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:42:16 AM
Quote from: Buffaboy on February 21, 2022, 11:43:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Driving around Toronto this weekend made me think something's awry with highway design in the area.  Couldn't put my finger on what was the issue, but something to do with how lanes merge or drop off or become exit only just seemed off.

What a coincidence, I drove up to Toronto on Saturday. Something did seem odd about their highways, even on the QEW. But they were pleasant to drive on, except for a line of potholes near Niagara Falls.

Haha, a third New Yorker chiming in to say that I know what you mean. Ontario is (in)famous for two lane exits with an option lane. I don't have an issue with the configuration, but I'm not a fan of their partial APL signage (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.322081,-79.8182984,3a,39.4y,313.14h,92.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFa7y6RYn9Ne2g_p8BhaTDA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1). Notice how the arrows don't line up properly, and the outer one is much tighter than the inner one. And this supplementary sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3231681,-79.8200277,3a,20.7y,346.28h,86.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seir9DoIxygmvHPRYWz0D0w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) is even worse!

Their tapers at the end of merges are also a bit different than ours, in terms of how gradually they end, and the use of the thicker closely spaced dashes. Overall I feel like the roads in Canada have a bit more of a European vibe than what we're used to in the US. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just different.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:43:22 AM
Quote from: Buffaboy on February 21, 2022, 11:43:19 PM
A question: I read about a proposed freeway from the early 2000s that was supposed to run from Fort Erie to the Hamilton airport. This does not exist today. Does anyone know what this was and why it stalled?

My guess is you're referring to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Peninsula_Highway

I don't know any more than what's available on that page, but it would definitely make sense as a future extension of 407 ETR. The segment of the QEW that it would bypass is almost worse than the sections closer to Toronto.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:49:48 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

It's certainly different, but I've never known it to cause confusion. It's basically just like having freeways numbered 1-27 and adding 4 in front of all the numbers. It's not like the numbers go deep into the 30's/40's/50's where you could start to mix them up easily. And you know anything starting with a 4 is a freeway, so that's handy too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:49:48 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

It's certainly different, but I've never known it to cause confusion. It's basically just like having freeways numbered 1-27 and adding 4 in front of all the numbers. It's not like the numbers go deep into the 30's/40's/50's where you could start to mix them up easily. And you know anything starting with a 4 is a freeway, so that's handy too.
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 22, 2022, 10:34:57 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Driving around Toronto this weekend made me think something's awry with highway design in the area.  Couldn't put my finger on what was the issue, but something to do with how lanes merge or drop off or become exit only just seemed off.

Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

I don't quite get what you're trying to convey, but to me I find US roads a bit strange, so it's really a matter of familiarity
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 22, 2022, 10:36:38 AM
Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:42:16 AM
Quote from: Buffaboy on February 21, 2022, 11:43:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Driving around Toronto this weekend made me think something's awry with highway design in the area.  Couldn't put my finger on what was the issue, but something to do with how lanes merge or drop off or become exit only just seemed off.

What a coincidence, I drove up to Toronto on Saturday. Something did seem odd about their highways, even on the QEW. But they were pleasant to drive on, except for a line of potholes near Niagara Falls.

Haha, a third New Yorker chiming in to say that I know what you mean. Ontario is (in)famous for two lane exits with an option lane. I don't have an issue with the configuration, but I'm not a fan of their partial APL signage (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.322081,-79.8182984,3a,39.4y,313.14h,92.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFa7y6RYn9Ne2g_p8BhaTDA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1). Notice how the arrows don't line up properly, and the outer one is much tighter than the inner one. And this supplementary sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3231681,-79.8200277,3a,20.7y,346.28h,86.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seir9DoIxygmvHPRYWz0D0w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) is even worse!

Their tapers at the end of merges are also a bit different than ours, in terms of how gradually they end, and the use of the thicker closely spaced dashes. Overall I feel like the roads in Canada have a bit more of a European vibe than what we're used to in the US. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just different.

For the APLs, I don't think they're intended to be centred over each lane, the arrows just show which lanes exit. Because before they were arrows, the signs literally just said "2 lanes". And the yellow signs are there to supplement.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 22, 2022, 10:38:46 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:49:48 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

It's certainly different, but I've never known it to cause confusion. It's basically just like having freeways numbered 1-27 and adding 4 in front of all the numbers. It's not like the numbers go deep into the 30's/40's/50's where you could start to mix them up easily. And you know anything starting with a 4 is a freeway, so that's handy too.
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.

Thing is, there just isn't that many to remember once you live in the city for a while.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 10:44:28 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 22, 2022, 10:36:38 AM
Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:42:16 AM
Ontario is (in)famous for two lane exits with an option lane. I don't have an issue with the configuration, but I'm not a fan of their partial APL signage (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.322081,-79.8182984,3a,39.4y,313.14h,92.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFa7y6RYn9Ne2g_p8BhaTDA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1). Notice how the arrows don't line up properly, and the outer one is much tighter than the inner one. And this supplementary sign (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3231681,-79.8200277,3a,20.7y,346.28h,86.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seir9DoIxygmvHPRYWz0D0w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) is even worse!
...

For the APLs, I don't think they're intended to be centred over each lane, the arrows just show which lanes exit. Because before they were arrows, the signs literally just said "2 lanes". And the yellow signs are there to supplement.

Yeah, I don't have an issue with how the arrows line up with the lanes, it's how they line up with each other. Note in the yellow sign in particular, they're spread out at the bottom and then get much closer together, almost like if you extended them, the left one would cross over the right one.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on February 22, 2022, 11:07:41 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.

Considering that there's a grand total of three, maybe now four freeways that would be designated as spurs or loops (405, 406, 409 were long considered as such, and maybe 418 now) and everything else mainline, such a system would be rather useless.

EDIT:
I mean, I can appreciate the logic from an American perspective, where national considerations for numbering exist. But since numbering is entirely contained within the province, and route planning has evolved differently from the 2di-3di set up here, setting up an extra layer of tiering seems counterintuitive.


Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:43:22 AM
Quote from: Buffaboy on February 21, 2022, 11:43:19 PM
A question: I read about a proposed freeway from the early 2000s that was supposed to run from Fort Erie to the Hamilton airport. This does not exist today. Does anyone know what this was and why it stalled?

My guess is you're referring to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Peninsula_Highway

I don't know any more than what's available on that page, but it would definitely make sense as a future extension of 407 ETR. The segment of the QEW that it would bypass is almost worse than the sections closer to Toronto.

Yeah, that's long dead.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 11:20:23 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 22, 2022, 11:07:41 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.

Considering that there's a grand total of three, maybe now four freeways that would be designated as spurs or loops (405, 406, 409 were long considered as such, and maybe 418 now) and everything else mainline, such a system would be rather useless.


Pfft.  Maybe I'll start a fictional thread and call it "Renumbering Ontario Highways" and just sit back and see what happens.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: GaryV on February 22, 2022, 11:27:49 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
Quote from: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 08:49:48 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 21, 2022, 11:21:38 PM
Also wondered if the area would have benefitted from an Interstate-style numbering system, as opposed to everything being 4xx, to assist in navigation.

It's certainly different, but I've never known it to cause confusion. It's basically just like having freeways numbered 1-27 and adding 4 in front of all the numbers. It's not like the numbers go deep into the 30's/40's/50's where you could start to mix them up easily. And you know anything starting with a 4 is a freeway, so that's handy too.
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.
Remember, there are not that many "mainline" long distance ON routes - 400 thru 403, and 417. The others are in the Toronto/Niagara area. They function the same as 3di routes in US metro areas. Why would it be harder to remember where ON 418 goes than to remember where I-405 goes?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 22, 2022, 12:13:20 PM
Ontario's route numbering system is fine.

I get the appeal of the US numbering system, and that of Quebec's system, but there isn't much of a benefit in Ontario.

Consider Buffalo:
The freeways in Buffalo can include interstate routes, US, route as well as state routes.  Aside from the interstates, there are both US route and state route freeways that are important routes throughout the system, so the route hierarchy of both what the route number and the shape of its shield breaks down pretty quickly there too.  Just driving he routes, who would figure that Route 33 is in fact a higher order route than the lower numbered Route 5.  Same with US Routes, US-219 is an important efficient route for through traffic.  US-62 is a useless holdover from before the interstate era.  When you think about it, that doesn't really make sense even though anyone familiar with driving through Buffalo (as I am) has rationalized it. 
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 22, 2022, 12:37:58 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 11:20:23 AM
Maybe I'll start a fictional thread and call it "Renumbering Ontario Highways" and just sit back and see what happens.
Too late... it's going to happen here now.  :-P

Personally the main reason why I don't have an issue with Ontario's route numbering is because it is specific to Ontario and not tied into a larger national system.  This means two things: 1) there's fewer tiers, so it's easier to keep track of route status, and 2) setting aside TCH, all routes are contained within the province, which brings the average route length down significantly - so distinguishing between short and long routes (like we do with 2di/3di and 2dus/3dus) isn't as important.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on February 22, 2022, 12:43:34 PM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 11:20:23 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on February 22, 2022, 11:07:41 AM
Quote from: Rothman on February 22, 2022, 09:16:35 AM
I dunno.  It just seemed like if you could designate main routes and then spurs that it would be more comprehensible than remembering which cross routes go where.

Considering that there's a grand total of three, maybe now four freeways that would be designated as spurs or loops (405, 406, 409 were long considered as such, and maybe 418 now) and everything else mainline, such a system would be rather useless.


Pfft.  Maybe I'll start a fictional thread and call it "Renumbering Ontario Highways" and just sit back and see what happens.
How about "reviving Ontario's decommissioned highways?" Sadly that's definitely gonna be fictional.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 25, 2022, 09:21:26 PM
https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2022/02/ontarios-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-taking-shape

Ontario's first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on the QEW at Glendale Avenue is taking shape and it's expected to be open by this fall.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on February 25, 2022, 10:33:55 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 25, 2022, 09:21:26 PM
https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2022/02/ontarios-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-taking-shape

Ontario's first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on the QEW at Glendale Avenue is taking shape and it's expected to be open by this fall.

That's interesting, given that the default conversion of any interchange would be a parclo.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on February 26, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 25, 2022, 10:33:55 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 25, 2022, 09:21:26 PM
https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2022/02/ontarios-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-taking-shape

Ontario's first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on the QEW at Glendale Avenue is taking shape and it's expected to be open by this fall.

That's interesting, given that the default conversion of any interchange would be a parclo.

Google Maps suggests that it's currently operating as the reverse of most Ontario parclo interchanges, the B4 (A4 is most common). Perhaps that's why they are getting rid of it, too complicated for the locals. :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on February 26, 2022, 01:06:35 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 26, 2022, 12:33:32 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on February 25, 2022, 10:33:55 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 25, 2022, 09:21:26 PM
https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2022/02/ontarios-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-taking-shape

Ontario's first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on the QEW at Glendale Avenue is taking shape and it's expected to be open by this fall.

That's interesting, given that the default conversion of any interchange would be a parclo.

Google Maps suggests that it's currently operating as the reverse of most Ontario parclo interchanges, the B4 (A4 is most common). Perhaps that's why they are getting rid of it, too complicated for the locals. :-D

I find this an interesting and rather strange location for Ontario's first DDI, considering it's already a form of parclo, so this will involve removal of some of the ramps. If the main issue is traffic turning left onto QEW Toronto - which is certainly a very busy movement given the outlets - I would think just adding a loop ramp for that movement (considering there's already enough space for it) would make a lot more sense.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 26, 2022, 01:17:33 PM
When the DDI was first proposed at that location I think the intent was to reuse the existing structure.  Then somewhere along the way it was decided that the existing structure should be replaced, but they were far enough along with the design ideas for a DDI that they stuck with that plan.

At one point, the interchange between the QEW and Glendale was tied into another interchange between Glendale and the former Highway 8 immediately to the north of the existing QEW interchange.  It's always been a weird interchange because of that.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 26, 2022, 10:38:58 PM
Digital Ends sign for the 407 in Ontario.  This sign isn't new or anything, I just think it's an interesting use of a digital sign:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_dv_147-4_east_Aug21_forum.jpg&hash=1f6e8c31f2e43685d0ef6dbc14a7cd558f254fb8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_dv_147-4_east_Aug21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on February 27, 2022, 12:10:37 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 25, 2022, 09:21:26 PM
https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/infrastructure/2022/02/ontarios-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-taking-shape

Ontario's first diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on the QEW at Glendale Avenue is taking shape and it's expected to be open by this fall.

While checking the area on GSV, I noticed a paint testing area (https://goo.gl/maps/LpP16P3TyDv89fBH9) on a stub of York Road that was left as a result of the construction of that interchange:

(https://i.imgur.com/OWG8t1r.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 27, 2022, 09:03:59 PM
This is kind of an old photo as it was taken before the northbound HOV lane opened on the 400, but I think the autumn colours are nice.  Looking north on the 400 approaching the King Road interchange from October, 2021:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_cl_37_north_NB_Oct21_forum.jpg&hash=e1194dcb27c7733a510fb5f7121f75b6724b2b94)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_37_north_NB_Oct21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_cl_37_north_NB_Oct21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 13, 2022, 10:50:00 PM
The Mattagami River Bridge in Smooth Rock Falls by night:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_MattagamiNight_Mar21_forum.jpg&hash=3b9f3b762937d39c2e8ada8f9b55b7994d9288f4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_MattagamiNight_Mar21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on March 29, 2022, 12:56:39 PM
There's some progress on speed limits coming soon: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/03/29/ontario-highway-speed-limits-2/#:~:text=Speed%20limits%20on%20six%20sections,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.&text=Posted%20Mar%2029%2C%202022%2C%207,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis. (https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/03/29/ontario-highway-speed-limits-2/#:~:text=Speed%20limits%20on%20six%20sections,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.&text=Posted%20Mar%2029%2C%202022%2C%207,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.)

QuoteSpeed limits on six sections of Ontario highways will soon be set to 110 kilometres per hour on a permanent basis.

The Canadian Press has learned the increased speed limits on stretches of 400-series highways will be set in stone as of Apr. 22. The province launched a pilot project in 2019 to test the higher speeds on a trial basis.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney will reportedly make the announcement on Tuesday and says the sections of highway were carefully selected based on their ability to accommodate the higher speeds.

Six sections of Ontario highways where 110 km/h speed limits will be made permanent:


  • Queen Elizabeth Way —  from Hamilton to St. Catharines
  • Highway 401 — from Windsor to Tilbury
  • Highway 402 — from London to Sarnia
  • Highway 404 — Newmarket to Woodbine
  • Highway 417 — from Ottawa to the Quebec border
  • Highway 417 — Kanata to Arnpior

Two sections of provincial highways in cottage country will also see their speed limits increased on a trial basis. The province will boost speeds to 110 kilometres per hour on Highway 400 from Mactier to Nobel and on Highway 11 from Emsdale to South River.

[...]

Some sections not included surprise me, like the 416, the 401 east of Kingston, the 400 north of Barrie, etc., but at least it's a start.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on March 29, 2022, 10:18:04 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on March 29, 2022, 12:56:39 PM
There's some progress on speed limits coming soon: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/03/29/ontario-highway-speed-limits-2/#:~:text=Speed%20limits%20on%20six%20sections,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.&text=Posted%20Mar%2029%2C%202022%2C%207,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis. (https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/03/29/ontario-highway-speed-limits-2/#:~:text=Speed%20limits%20on%20six%20sections,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.&text=Posted%20Mar%2029%2C%202022%2C%207,hour%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.)

QuoteSpeed limits on six sections of Ontario highways will soon be set to 110 kilometres per hour on a permanent basis.

The Canadian Press has learned the increased speed limits on stretches of 400-series highways will be set in stone as of Apr. 22. The province launched a pilot project in 2019 to test the higher speeds on a trial basis.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney will reportedly make the announcement on Tuesday and says the sections of highway were carefully selected based on their ability to accommodate the higher speeds.

Six sections of Ontario highways where 110 km/h speed limits will be made permanent:


  • Queen Elizabeth Way —  from Hamilton to St. Catharines
  • Highway 401 — from Windsor to Tilbury
  • Highway 402 — from London to Sarnia
  • Highway 404 — Newmarket to Woodbine
  • Highway 417 — from Ottawa to the Quebec border
  • Highway 417 — Kanata to Arnpior

Two sections of provincial highways in cottage country will also see their speed limits increased on a trial basis. The province will boost speeds to 110 kilometres per hour on Highway 400 from Mactier to Nobel and on Highway 11 from Emsdale to South River.

[...]

Some sections not included surprise me, like the 416, the 401 east of Kingston, the 400 north of Barrie, etc., but at least it's a start.

Good. Hopefully Québec follows suit.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 07, 2022, 01:50:17 PM
Signs for the now toll free 412 from the 401:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=c17943a4be31084c1415998eadf6befa87e356af)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_405_east_Apr21_forum.png&hash=af9906ca89d3e1ac063b8a5c768e36f3cbecf1ac)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_405_east_Apr21_24x16.png

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_405-25_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=bde306660896becdb5d6f47da3fad33bf65768ec)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_405-25_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_405-5_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=4306896f72b69f2d7b04842a5ab2995451a909f9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_405-5_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_406_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=b99afeb5ba7dbdd42b53da6664f49ebb0dca2ec7)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_406_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_408_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=aaf160fb327f3fe37e65d979001abeb995841eba)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_408_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 07, 2022, 02:02:38 PM
Just like when it just opened! haha.

I wonder if they'll put up new perma signs tho

If anyone has been in the area, have you noticed higher traffic volumes on 412/418? How much higher?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on April 07, 2022, 02:02:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 07, 2022, 01:50:17 PM
Signs for the now toll free 412 from the 401:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=c17943a4be31084c1415998eadf6befa87e356af)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

I can see an error: "SAN" should be "SANS".
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: skluth on April 07, 2022, 02:18:06 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on April 07, 2022, 02:02:49 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 07, 2022, 01:50:17 PM
Signs for the now toll free 412 from the 401:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=c17943a4be31084c1415998eadf6befa87e356af)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_dv_404-5_east_Apr21_24x16.jpg

I can see an error: "SAN" should be "SANS".
What? You've never heard of the famous Spanish saint, San Péage, the patron saint of highway rest areas?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 07, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on April 07, 2022, 02:02:38 PM
Just like when it just opened! haha.

I wonder if they'll put up new perma signs tho

Like replace the whole sign board? Like, thirty years unless there's a structural issue. Otherwise just overlays.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on April 07, 2022, 03:44:48 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on April 07, 2022, 02:02:38 PM
Just like when it just opened! haha.

I wonder if they'll put up new perma signs tho

Like replace the whole sign board? Like, thirty years unless there's a structural issue. Otherwise just overlays.


Ah I see. That will annoy me to no end (since the shields are offset...) What about the blue signs and reassurance markers on the freeway itself??
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on April 08, 2022, 01:23:57 PM
I'd be curious to know if the tolls collected recouped the cost of the gantries and signage changes on the 412 and 418. If so, that would make me feel a bit about this decision (though I'd still prefer keeping the revenue stream for the government).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 10, 2022, 11:51:32 AM
Two views looking westerly from the Brimley Road overpass in Scarborough towards the construction through Kennedy Road.  The express lanes have been shifted to the north to accommodate bridge and pavement reconstruction.  As part of this work, the westbound collector to express transfer will be moved from west of the interchange at Kennedy to east of it, and an additional westbound collector lane will be added from east of Markham Road to Kennedy.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_381_west_WB_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=64030c0aa7e2323fc7b782abdfc53fefb1affd12)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_381_west_WB_Apr21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_381_west_WB_Apr21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_381_west_WB_t_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=3a4d22f57af967e6e737a4f2c8eb15a6326b7a52)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_381_west_WB_t_Apr21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_381_west_WB_t_Apr21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 10, 2022, 12:31:45 PM
It's a bit difficult to visualize the changes without a map: does one exist?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 17, 2022, 09:05:58 PM
Just another photo of the 401 through North York.  The early evening light was really soft, so even though I've taken several photos from this location previously, I thought I'd try again:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_374_west_WB_Apr21_forum.jpg&hash=ec90943e80f89e87f527cf355549bc6872d5b7b5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB_Apr21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_374_west_WB_Apr21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 18, 2022, 10:26:12 PM
Photos of the signs approaching the Freeman interchange along the Toronto-bound QEW:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_92_TB_Apr22_forum.jpg&hash=aab60d010733407dc566d92dc2f0ad1f3f11e3d1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_92_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_92_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_98-5_TB_Apr22_forum.jpg&hash=8895270c991d54d531154d3a9718b0a1bdcdab16)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_98-5_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_98-5_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99_TB_Apr22_forum.jpg&hash=6e3bbdb39553aca5f11c063dae8207cca2807566)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr22_forum.jpg&hash=f0c71e1ac477707f056da9144800cec8ddd4e898)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_99-5_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_dv_100_TB_Apr22_forum.jpg&hash=7a9f1dc2b9d15bb23799caf57461ba0ced47223b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_100_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_dv_100_TB_Apr22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 19, 2022, 12:24:11 AM
Clearview!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on April 19, 2022, 04:47:30 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 18, 2022, 10:26:12 PM
Photos of the signs approaching the Freeman interchange along the Toronto-bound QEW:
(images clipped)

How ironic that the Freeman interchange involves a toll road.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 19, 2022, 01:11:28 PM
At one time all of the signs approaching this interchange from this direction were clearview. Several years after the signs were installed the province replaced the old aluminum tapered leg signs at this interchange.  The clearview signs were replaced at that time with the highway gothic font that you see here.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 20, 2022, 10:04:52 AM
I'm quite glad that the MTO didn't like Clearview haha.

City of Toronto on the other hand? Smh.....
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 20, 2022, 12:39:19 PM
Toronto's expressway signage is awful regardless of what font they use.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: chays on April 25, 2022, 03:30:28 PM
Curious as to why Highway 11's exits are not numbered between Gravenhurst and Orillia, and also between Orillia and Highway 400. Are there plans to number these eventually? I also notice that Highway 69's exits aren't numbered north of the French River
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on April 25, 2022, 04:33:37 PM
Quote from: chays on April 25, 2022, 03:30:28 PM
Curious as to why Highway 11's exits are not numbered between Gravenhurst and Orillia, and also between Orillia and Highway 400. Are there plans to number these eventually? I also notice that Highway 69's exits aren't numbered north of the French River

It's most likely since they're not controlled access
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 01, 2022, 09:55:46 PM
Today I drove on the now toll-free Highway 418

Regarding signage changes, they covered over the "TOLL" on overhead signs, they removed the toll tab from reassurance markers (but the blue on white markers are still there), and they added new "407 Transponder Must Be Visible" signs at the end of the freeway. I believe they might have also removed the "418 407 Transponder Must Be Visible" signs at the entrances to the 418 but I wasn't paying too much attention to that. The toll gantries are also still there.

What I think might be useful is to put a "LAST EXIT BEFORE TOLL" tab on the final exit before going to Highway 407 on the north end.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 09, 2022, 07:41:12 PM
A part of the Wayne Gretzky Parkway has collapsed onto Highway 403 in Brantford. Wow.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8820886/bridge-collapse-highway-403-brant-county-may-2022/


(https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Brantford-police.png?w=2048)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 09, 2022, 07:52:15 PM
Fortunately, no one was hurt or killed. That reminds me of the 2 viaducts in Laval, QC who collapsed. First one was Du Souvenir Blvd overpass in 2000 and the 2nd, De La Concorde Blvd in 2007.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on May 09, 2022, 09:17:51 PM
If you look at the middle of the beam on the bridge, looks like that there was a significant impact there.  Could that be related to the partial collapse?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 09, 2022, 10:40:57 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on May 09, 2022, 09:17:51 PM
If you look at the middle of the beam on the bridge, looks like that there was a significant impact there.  Could that be related to the partial collapse?

Yeah they reported a truck collided with the bridge
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: zzcarp on May 10, 2022, 02:53:33 PM
Looks like this was a protective beam and not a structural member. You can see it in street view (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1654162,-80.2434359,3a,75y,255.18h,91.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spB8UiTebmG7dt3iAlBv2qA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192), and it looked all scratched up already.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: mrsman on May 10, 2022, 03:08:39 PM

A Polandball comic references Ontario Highways:


https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/umh5vk/just_one_more_lane/

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on May 10, 2022, 09:25:38 PM
Quote from: mrsman on May 10, 2022, 03:08:39 PM

A Polandball comic references Ontario Highways:


https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/umh5vk/just_one_more_lane/

Highway 401 was built like that back in the 70s, it was not widened one lane at a time. Internet urbanists are the worst.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 10, 2022, 10:07:12 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on May 10, 2022, 09:25:38 PM
Quote from: mrsman on May 10, 2022, 03:08:39 PM

A Polandball comic references Ontario Highways:


https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/umh5vk/just_one_more_lane/

Highway 401 was built like that back in the 70s, it was not widened one lane at a time. Internet urbanists are the worst.

I think this is supposed to be comical, not necessarily following the exact truths.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on May 11, 2022, 12:07:47 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on May 10, 2022, 10:07:12 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on May 10, 2022, 09:25:38 PM
Quote from: mrsman on May 10, 2022, 03:08:39 PM

A Polandball comic references Ontario Highways:


https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/umh5vk/just_one_more_lane/

Highway 401 was built like that back in the 70s, it was not widened one lane at a time. Internet urbanists are the worst.

I think this is supposed to be comical, not necessarily following the exact truths.

It's misinformation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 24, 2022, 09:43:47 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on May 11, 2022, 12:07:47 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on May 10, 2022, 10:07:12 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on May 10, 2022, 09:25:38 PM
Quote from: mrsman on May 10, 2022, 03:08:39 PM

A Polandball comic references Ontario Highways:


https://www.reddit.com/r/polandball/comments/umh5vk/just_one_more_lane/

Highway 401 was built like that back in the 70s, it was not widened one lane at a time. Internet urbanists are the worst.

I think this is supposed to be comical, not necessarily following the exact truths.

It's misinformation.

Tell us you don't know shit about how and when the 401 was built, what other projects have been built over the years, and are shoehorning in your political views in order to have a bad faith interpretation of a comic without telling us you don't know shit about how and when the 401 was built, what other projects have been built over the years, and are shoehorning in your political views in order to have a bad faith interpretation of a comic.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 24, 2022, 11:28:50 AM
????
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on May 26, 2022, 10:57:50 AM
https://dailyhive.com/toronto/ontario-survey-highway-413

Survey finds 48% of Ontarians either support or "could accept" construction of Hwy 413 vs 30% who oppose.

Glad to see the public hasn't internalized the Urban middle class bigotry against suburbia
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on June 02, 2022, 09:49:02 PM
Complete Tory Sweep of Brampton. If that's not a mandate for Hwy 413, I don't know what is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 03, 2022, 01:42:57 AM
I think this might be getting too much into politics but the Torys also flipped some historically NDP/Liberal seats too outside of Brampton. (Timmins, Windsor-Tecumseth, Essex, Hamilton East for example). Interesting.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on June 03, 2022, 07:08:13 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on June 03, 2022, 01:42:57 AM
I think this might be getting too much into politics but the Torys also flipped some historically NDP/Liberal seats too outside of Brampton. (Timmins, Windsor-Tecumseth, Essex, Hamilton East for example). Interesting.

But after years of sheer hysteria about that highway, enough to make you think that its construction would cause a Looney Tunes style ecological collapse with plants wilting and birds falling out of the sky, you'd think it would've been political poison in the areas where it's supposed to be built. It's remarkable how much the internet is an echo chamber.

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on June 03, 2022, 05:46:26 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on June 03, 2022, 07:08:13 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on June 03, 2022, 01:42:57 AM
I think this might be getting too much into politics but the Torys also flipped some historically NDP/Liberal seats too outside of Brampton. (Timmins, Windsor-Tecumseth, Essex, Hamilton East for example). Interesting.

But after years of sheer hysteria about that highway, enough to make you think that its construction would cause a Looney Tunes style ecological collapse with plants wilting and birds falling out of the sky, you'd think it would've been political poison in the areas where it's supposed to be built. It's remarkable how much the internet is an echo chamber.


keep any political discussions to how the party treats highways, thx
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 05, 2022, 10:31:16 PM
View of the 407 looking easterly from Lake Ridge Road in Whitby:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_111_east_WB_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=444de813ad2606ff1ce3c3061b1f17f08df8765a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_111_east_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_111_east_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on June 06, 2022, 08:15:42 AM
"Lake Ridge Road", I wonder if that would made a song as good as "Lake Shore Drive" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGMJWG4CT0)? ;)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 19, 2022, 03:58:38 PM
Easterly view of the Grand River Bridge in Kitchener from the Conestoga Pedestrian Bridge.  The bridge is being replaced, and traffic was just diverted from the former westbound lanes to the new bridge:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_275_east_WB_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=55b521af37714ca7723d22d7ef2f8634b40c6e16)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_275_east_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_275_east_c_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=2fa9b09c1a5d90cc6c9474a766a44aca2a0d04fb)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_275_east_c_Jun22_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_275_east_EB_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=c331f627c614cbdf6244539830abf837a63bfe51)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_275_east_EB_Jun22_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 21, 2022, 10:25:00 PM
Views looking both directions from Trafalgar Road in Milton from last week:

Two views looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=95636e5b5d5e27bcb65fbd5b6c172bc26019742c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=03bd72910c1611a1936a0e17a4200d78d5b8e95c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

Two easterly views from Trafalgar Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=ba2dc4f125f559390cc84c176e2c126adcf7da4f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=ae265c259f855d676c30cfc9e8c34b54ed96d860)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on June 21, 2022, 10:50:39 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on June 21, 2022, 10:25:00 PM
Views looking both directions from Trafalgar Road in Milton from last week:

Two views looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=95636e5b5d5e27bcb65fbd5b6c172bc26019742c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c-w_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=03bd72910c1611a1936a0e17a4200d78d5b8e95c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

Two easterly views from Trafalgar Road:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=ba2dc4f125f559390cc84c176e2c126adcf7da4f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_forum.jpg&hash=ae265c259f855d676c30cfc9e8c34b54ed96d860)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB-t_Jun22_24x16.jpg)

If only transit projects can progress this quickly...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on July 20, 2022, 11:16:42 PM
Finally made it up to Canada last week for the first time in nearly 2-1/2 years! That was easily the longest stretch of my life without crossing the border, seeing as I used to cross quite frequently prior to covid.

It was early morning (enroute to YYZ to catch a flight) so traffic was very light and the border was completely clear. There's still construction at QEW/Glendale Avenue, which is being redesigned, and that seemed to be progressing from what I could tell. Toronto-bound traffic exiting at Glendale now passes under Glendale to exit via a new single-lane loop and the old two-lane exit is now closed.

The ramp from QEW Toronto to 403 WB/407/ETR in Burlington was closed, seemingly a night closure, which foiled my plans to suggest 407/ETR to 403 as an alternate route in hopes of picking up some new mileage on the 407. (Barring the closure, that part of 407/ETR is Google's suggested route from home to anywhere beyond Mississauga, as it's a bit shorter and much less congestion-prone than QEW through Oakville, but we always take the QEW to save the tolls, which are exorbitant by Thruway standards  :sombrero:)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 22, 2022, 01:34:33 PM
Quote from: webny99 on July 20, 2022, 11:16:42 PMbut we always take the QEW to save the tolls, which are exorbitant by Thruway standards  :sombrero:)

Or the majority of tollways in North America anyways
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2022, 01:20:17 PM
View beneath the new twin structures that carry the twinned Hwy 69 overtop of the French River:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_60-69_images%2F69_structure_FrenchRiverLegs_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=7b79b315382737f7cceaff1eac2accd85ed1451b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_structure_FrenchRiverLegs_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_60-69_images/69_structure_FrenchRiverLegs_Aug22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 07, 2022, 05:23:45 PM
Very cool structures, it reminds me of the PQ-132 bridge known as Dominion Bridge spanning the Chaudière River just south of the old Québec bridge constructed in 2011-12 who replaced a older span built in the 1950s.
https://www.canambridges.com/fr/projets/pont-dominion/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NjQsYuEhLw
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2022, 08:09:28 PM
^ That's a cool looking bridge.  I'd not seen that bridge in Quebec before.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 08, 2022, 12:18:44 AM
Views looking west and east along the 401 from the Trafalgar overpass in Halton Hills from this past weekend:

Two views looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_c_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=48edbbec8751f7c2e18ec2ce0711902ab75b791c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_c_Aug22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=22cbde2f7765c7d2b00f733dcbf18c7ae9728e9b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Aug22_24x16.jpg)

Looking east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_c_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=bffba776dcbba3d2b93b29bf8c8df54060e63e47)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_c_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_c_Aug22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_EB_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=c92e72ee86a8cfba18d91bd861b326df5789bf2d)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_EB_Aug22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 12, 2022, 09:05:05 AM
Two more recent views of the 401 from Trafalgar.  They have started painting the lines:

looking east:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_east_WB_t_Aug11-22_forum.jpg&hash=d305bfdf4dab5255319706459f6182912a6b6c83)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_east_WB_t_Aug11-22_24x16.jpg

looking west:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_Aug11-22_forum.jpg&hash=37fc5bc77a7e00c21b85f5322b62edd837056aef)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_Aug11-22_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 12, 2022, 12:02:40 PM
Wahoo!!! It's gonna be done soon!!! So fast
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 14, 2022, 11:52:59 PM
Night view of the 401 looking westerly from the Trafalgar Road overpass:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_328_west_WB_night_Aug22_forum.jpg&hash=c2c6a7ca9d2d98b0ed455ab09058354c3f5dc5fa)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_night_Aug22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_328_west_WB_night_Aug22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 15, 2022, 01:17:30 PM
Trafalgar? Did they open one of the carriageways???
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on August 15, 2022, 02:03:09 PM
What type of lane is the inner lane of the express lanes? A tolled lane? An HOV lane?

The lighting is massive by the way, how tall are those light posts? 50 meters or so?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 15, 2022, 05:29:37 PM
The inside lane is a standard HOV lane.  The province had contemplated tolling some of its HOV lanes, but when the stripe of the government switched a few years ago, those plans were shelved.

I'm not sure how tall the high mast poles are, but they are pretty standard for Ontario.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on August 16, 2022, 12:16:49 PM
Quote from: Chris on August 15, 2022, 02:03:09 PM
The lighting is massive by the way, how tall are those light posts? 50 meters or so?

That basic design can be 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 metres in height. I'd imagine for the wide core-collector set up it would be at least the 35 metre option.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 19, 2022, 08:27:09 PM
Some recent views of the 401 construction between Milton and Mississauga:

Looking westerly from James Snow:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_324_west_EB_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=385df651310c82f4d0cf8fc17d8daffda0285959)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_west_EB_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_west_EB_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

Easterly view from James Snow:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_324_east_w_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=d8274b93cbbd6fc995958d86724eb3d962a9b907)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_w_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_w_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_324_east_c_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=38f1df5005a6c69924ec1f94c0cbe9dd58461733)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_c_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_c_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_324_east_EB-t_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=4dd12ecc9584444db5572ea3351541dc35df7a55)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_EB-t_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_EB-t_Sep22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 20, 2022, 06:41:10 PM
Spamming more 401 photos from Milton to Mississauga.  This time looking both directions from the Creditview Road overpass at the eastern edge of the project:

Looking westerly:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_west_WB_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=d2f22dab373ab0d84418e9307087838b0e459165)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_west_WB_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_west_WB_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

Three views looking easterly:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_C_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=5d30efe9117de745742d4de4d70975584a1a7cbb)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_c_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_c_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_EB-w_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=d0e2f995e9cf2b5608ad87d696f0959efbea9c9f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB-w_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB-w_Sep22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_WB_Sep22_forum.jpg&hash=f327661d22fcb491bfb644ecc02b2d7611c88088)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_WB_Sep22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_WB_Sep22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: webny99 on September 26, 2022, 08:37:14 AM
Thanks for sharing!

Random question... does Ontario have a source for viewing AADT (traffic volume data)?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on September 26, 2022, 11:26:33 AM
Quote from: webny99 on September 26, 2022, 08:37:14 AM
Thanks for sharing!

Random question... does Ontario have a source for viewing AADT (traffic volume data)?

https://www.library.mto.gov.on.ca/SydneyPLUS/TechPubs/Portal/tp/tvSplash.aspx
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on September 26, 2022, 06:16:27 PM
Waiting for the newer AADT numbers...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: roadman65 on September 27, 2022, 10:06:37 AM
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-s-first-diverging-diamond-interchange-opens-monday-1.6083490#:~:text=Ontario's%20first%2Dever%20diverging%20diamond%20interchange%20opens%20to%20drivers%20Monday,26.

I see the US isn't the only one to enter the DDI fad.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on September 27, 2022, 07:20:53 PM
Autumn in Ontario:

Highway 11 looking northerly through South River.  These were actually taken last autumn, but I suspect things should look like this shortly.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_288_north_NB-w_Oct21_forum.jpg&hash=ed342c06a93ca1cc6c61faeb0b5c61cd601182e1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB-w_Oct21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB-w_Oct21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_288_north_NB_Oct21_forum.jpg&hash=1421cba4232d1299a1464572ea661c396fc3e624)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB_Oct21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB_Oct21_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_288_north_NB_t_Oct21_forum.jpg&hash=5af257bd65bb171c98d68a2803313fd56bf53ab1)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB_t_Oct21_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_288_north_NB_t_Oct21_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2022, 01:40:22 AM
The 401 and the 407 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_332_east_Oct22_night_forum.jpg&hash=38a94089a5a83667de3f1b92f0ca11969856387f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_332_east_Oct22_night_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_332_east_Oct22_night_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_333_southeast_Oct22_night_forum.jpg&hash=ee34e2c1d6b7fe8c31b98fb8a9136c3a1f877f31)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_333_southeast_Oct22_night_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_333_southeast_Oct22_night_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 04, 2022, 10:01:58 AM
Wow is that a drone image of some sort? Also what time was this taken? Cuz it seems like the 401 is lightly travelled and the 407 is devoid of any vehicle
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2022, 01:42:06 PM
Yes, I bought a drone, and these were taken at about 11pm last evening.

Though, I will say, highways always look less busy when looked at with a wide angle lens than they feel when driving them.  Though the 407 is pretty quiet at that time of the night.

The 404 at the 401:

(https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_ar_17-25_south_Oct22_forum.jpg)
https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_ar_17-25_south_Oct22_24x16.jpg (https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_ar_17-25_south_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2022, 07:58:58 PM
The 401 looking easterly towards the 412:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=50085d6d346de1557bdf52aae6bfa751eafb8661)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 04, 2022, 10:12:42 PM
Pretty cool. I wonder how the behemoth 403/410/401 interchange would look on a drone shot. Would it even fit the frame?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2022, 10:15:46 AM
^ The 403/410/401 interchange is getting pretty close to the airport to safely fly a drone.  Transport Canada publishes maps online about where flights are recommended and not, and while there is a vantage point on the southwestern side of the interchange that isn't in the "not recommended zone" that I probably will one day fly, this is probably a flight I'd try to do when flights are landing to the north and south as opposed to the east and west to make sure that there isn't a problem.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 06, 2022, 03:14:14 PM
Looking southerly along Highway 418 from Highway 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=12b77a4126c259b729a61862665ce4d1ea7cae2f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on October 06, 2022, 08:16:52 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 05, 2022, 10:15:46 AM
^ The 403/410/401 interchange is getting pretty close to the airport to safely fly a drone.  Transport Canada publishes maps online about where flights are recommended and not, and while there is a vantage point on the southwestern side of the interchange that isn't in the "not recommended zone" that I probably will one day fly, this is probably a flight I'd try to do when flights are landing to the north and south as opposed to the east and west to make sure that there isn't a problem.

I'll be waiting to hear you make the international news then. :-D
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 06, 2022, 09:49:25 PM
I'd very much like to avoid creating an international incident.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on October 08, 2022, 02:39:16 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 04, 2022, 07:58:58 PM
The 401 looking easterly towards the 412:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=50085d6d346de1557bdf52aae6bfa751eafb8661)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_405-75_east_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 06, 2022, 03:14:14 PM
Looking southerly along Highway 418 from Highway 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=12b77a4126c259b729a61862665ce4d1ea7cae2f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_ar_9_south_SB_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

Really illustrates how much better designed and nicer to drive the 418 interchanges are than the 412 ones.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 08, 2022, 09:30:38 AM
Some views of Highway 3 at the Victoria Road grade separation on the Essex By-pass southeast of Windsor:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_ar_28_northwest_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=93844fadcd8b137ce0ad08dbd3d202ca25562707)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_ar_28_northwest_Oct22_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_ar_28_southeast_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=b925c04aa0fd4cd1a967ff2d8052086296bd01e5)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_ar_28_southeast_Oct22_24x16.jpg

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_3-9_images%2F3_ar_28_east_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=8521757a5592ce054d12919d999c35c5091eb31b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_3-9_images/3_ar_28_east_Oct22_24x16.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 09, 2022, 09:20:19 PM
Some views of the 401 widening through Mississauga:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0561_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=b27f6a79e5dae8b998debb1043cb107929860a09)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0561_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0561_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0565_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=461b158aeac952aeb2f3f2d36034e612e54d3bf9)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0565_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0565_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0601_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=aed63b35560a23ca695b59ae58ccef48e850ffcc)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0601_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0601_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0597_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=dbebd49ebd1ca0e45c6d4eec269f7e00ee6ac310)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0597_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0597_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0592_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=40acfe55a3115d75d8a1467fa17cfaacaf72c1fd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0592_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0592_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0589_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=aa8f0ab36b6bb58b0c55dff4c489fe136a23b0e4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0589_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0589_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on October 09, 2022, 09:32:56 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 08, 2022, 09:30:38 AM
Some views of Highway 3 at the Victoria Road grade separation on the Essex By-pass southeast of Windsor:

I wonder if MTO plan to add more grade separations and interchanges on the Essex bypass?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 10, 2022, 09:17:11 AM
This is set to be the only grade separation along Hwy 3 from Windsor to Leamington.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: triplemultiplex on October 11, 2022, 10:32:57 AM
So Ontario does pave with concrete from time to time. :P Pretty much every picture I've seen in this thread, they're asphalt roads.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 11, 2022, 11:27:20 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on October 11, 2022, 10:32:57 AM
So Ontario does pave with concrete from time to time. :P Pretty much every picture I've seen in this thread, they're asphalt roads.

IIRC there's 3 sections of MTO road which is concrete? Highway 401 in the Tilbury area, Highway 401 in Mississauga (as seen above), and Highway 402 somewhere.

Also the 407 but that's not MTO
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 11, 2022, 09:24:25 PM
The 407 was kind of an MTO project.  It was constructed by an arms length crown corporation

There are several other concrete MTO highways
- The 410 in northern Brampton
- The 404 extension to Keswick
- Hwy 3 and there's more

Most of the GTA highway network was originally surfaced by concrete.

There are some other older concrete highways, such as Highway 49 through Prince Edward County, and segments of highway that have since been resurfaced such as Hwy 81 and Hwy 24.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 11, 2022, 11:26:00 PM
Hwy 11 crossing the Severn Canal at the northern end of Lake Couchiching:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_DJI_0878_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=6f930a303539481dbfb8c75bfcdba0e644ffd48b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_DJI_0878_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_DJI_0878_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Avalanchez71 on October 11, 2022, 11:46:34 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on May 26, 2022, 10:57:50 AM
https://dailyhive.com/toronto/ontario-survey-highway-413

Survey finds 48% of Ontarians either support or "could accept" construction of Hwy 413 vs 30% who oppose.

Glad to see the public hasn't internalized the Urban middle class bigotry against suburbia

Canadians are more willing to be communal and they have fewer rural inhabitants.  That is likely reflected in the poll.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 18, 2022, 12:28:20 AM
The consortium that's currently building the 401 expansion in Mississauga/Milton released this picture.. love the iconic 6 to 3 lane narrowing and the daily backup that it causes

(https://401expansion-mississauga-milton.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/0G8A7119-1024x683.jpg)

See more pictures at https://401expansion-mississauga-milton.ca/about-this-project/about/project-gallery/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: roadman65 on October 18, 2022, 07:52:43 PM
Does anyone know the nature of the two different highway shields in Ontario?

One has a crown on top the shield and the other where the crown is the shield.

I am aware Regional Roads are trapezoid and QEW is blue on yellow crown tops, but the other two used I am unaware their nature.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 19, 2022, 01:02:53 AM
If I recall correctly the enclosed crown shields are usually used at junctions, while the shield with crown-on-top are usually reassurance markers. That's probably because the enclosed crowns are more easily readable. QEW shields also come in both variations.


QEW enclosed shield:

(https://i.imgur.com/16GXuCZ.png)

Hwy 6 enclosed shield:

(https://i.imgur.com/VgekreS.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on October 19, 2022, 08:09:37 AM
Thekingshighway.ca (http://www.thekingshighway.ca/signs2.htm) also has some info on this, if you scroll down to "small junction signs" and "large junction signs". As andrepoiy said, the enclosed crown shields are used at junctions.

One thing I don't understand, and I don't think his website explains it either, is the difference between "regular trailblazer signs" (crown on top) and "junction trailblazer signs" (enclosed crown). How come the former are used in andrepoiy's second photo for the 401, 403, and QEW?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 19, 2022, 11:10:21 AM
I've got no idea. Ontario signage is always strange. Such as this

(https://i.imgur.com/BYSN7z9.png)


and this (where for some reason "To 85" is just a tab)

(https://i.imgur.com/Q3v9gZo.png)


Although it seems like based on what I've noticed so far, the crown-enclosed TO signs are used to guide drivers to an entrance of the road where it's not abundantly clear where the entrance might be, while the crown-on-top TO signs are used to indicate a farther-away road. (That's why you see "TO HWY 17" on Hwy 417).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2022, 08:59:23 PM
The 400 at the 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_DJI_0803_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=32313cf32e845aef032cd01f31ca8d40346d68da)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on October 22, 2022, 03:44:17 AM
AsphaltPlanet, has any of the 412/418 signage changed to non-toll style yet?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 22, 2022, 08:19:59 AM
No, and I don't expect that it will until the signs need to be replaced.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on October 22, 2022, 11:35:01 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2022, 08:59:23 PM
The 400 at the 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_DJI_0803_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=32313cf32e845aef032cd01f31ca8d40346d68da)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

Such a high capacity interchange but never used to full capacity... If only this was the interchange built at 401/404 or 401/400...
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on October 22, 2022, 02:01:31 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on October 21, 2022, 08:59:23 PM
The 400 at the 407:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_400_images%2F400_DJI_0803_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=32313cf32e845aef032cd01f31ca8d40346d68da)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_400_images/400_DJI_0803_Oct22_24x16.jpg)

These drone photos are really cool, much appreciated!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 27, 2022, 06:13:31 PM
Drone photos of the 401 at Hwy 24 in Cambridge:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0034_forum.jpg&hash=9d8858e6b90d6f7b3aa36c680776d0cb63319b8f)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0034.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0034.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0036_forum.jpg&hash=447e220e3a9c880a30f263b454dc3bcc356b8ff3)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0036.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0036.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0037_forum.jpg&hash=5ee7e7fd9645e1be26a79eafe47322a8ed196d2a)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0037.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0037.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0039_forum.jpg&hash=e4d2518115135c36e81fcaa06fee5962e9ea0066)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0039.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0039.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0043_forum.jpg&hash=e3a8000f49458db61765bc9bfac18e382af77e95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0045.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0045.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0045_forum.jpg&hash=da6c3f60efdfd2017b2adedde315528d6ca4f4b8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0045.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0045.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 15, 2022, 09:35:30 AM
Express lanes on the 401 in Mississauga have opened now:

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/11/14/new-highway-401-express-lanes-open-in-mississauga/
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 15, 2022, 08:57:26 PM
Some photos of the 401 through Mississauga taken today.  The westbound express lanes opened this morning between the Credit River and Winston Churchill Boulevard:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_342_west_WB-EXP_Nov22_forum.jpg&hash=0ef454efd183873782db5a2d41343874dd473110)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_342_west_WB-EXP_Nov22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_342_west_WB-EXP_Nov22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_west_C_Nov22_forum.jpg&hash=1273283dd30e12792e3ab3f6f3022c6da73ef5a8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_C_Nov22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_C_Nov22_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_339_west_EB_Nov22_forum.jpg&hash=fbcca4ba4475c44620641bcca333df66b7447f95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_EB_Nov22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_339_west_EB_Nov22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 16, 2022, 07:44:01 PM
Darn. Still looks rough around the edges for now
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 19, 2022, 01:15:21 AM
I just took a closer look at the images you took and it seems like this sign shouldn't be there...

It's suggesting that Sauga Rd/Erin Mills is the next transfer... even though the sign adjacent says that you need to exit to collectors for Sauga/Erin Mills

(https://i.imgur.com/0owMowJ.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 19, 2022, 08:51:21 AM
I haven't driven through there since last week, but I believe the sign on the left was removed the following night.  The westbound express lanes were closed for two nights in a row, and I'm under the impression that more signs were replaced the evening after I took these photos.  None of the HOV lane signage had been updated last sunday when I drove through either.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 20, 2022, 01:29:34 AM
Night view of the 401 in Mississauga.  (The army had yet to fully clear the snow from the highway):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov22_night_forum.jpg&hash=9b30ec554b5c178bd7d966222b9967e625d6afe4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov22_night_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_337_east_EB_Nov22_night_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on November 20, 2022, 03:39:15 PM
Army?  Is MTO not the organization handling snow plowing?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 20, 2022, 04:01:10 PM
Toronto inside joke.  The MTO contracts out snow removal (and maintenance in general) to third party private contractors.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/it-s-been-23-years-since-toronto-called-in-the-army-after-a-major-snowstorm-1.5736957#:~:text=From%20the%20Archives%3A%20Over%20500,Leon%20Korbee%20reports.&text=From%20the%20Archives%3A%20After%20days,Mayor%20Mel%20Lastman%20lashed%20out.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 25, 2022, 10:42:01 AM
Aerial photo of the QEW/Gardiner heading towards Downtown Toronto from the 427 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_ar_DJI_0629_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=adf2dff17dc4e687e6e5365a030141bce5347894)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_ar_DJI_0629_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_ar_DJI_0629_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 25, 2022, 10:14:30 PM
I'm not a professional photographer like Mr. AsphaltPlanet here (no idea how he makes his pictures look so nice!), but I've attempted to take some of my own freeway pictures with my new camera.

Here's Highway 401 looking westbound from the Second Line West bridge - where the new expansion is now complete.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Highway401ExpansionSecondLineW.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 26, 2022, 01:54:27 PM
Congratulations on your new camera.

If you want to get good at taking road photos, there is no substitute for just getting outside and taking lots of photos.  That's how I learned.  There are also some great youtube videos out there on how to learn how to use a camera.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on December 27, 2022, 08:00:45 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on October 19, 2022, 08:09:37 AM
Thekingshighway.ca (http://www.thekingshighway.ca/signs2.htm) also has some info on this, if you scroll down to "small junction signs" and "large junction signs". As andrepoiy said, the enclosed crown shields are used at junctions.

One thing I don't understand, and I don't think his website explains it either, is the difference between "regular trailblazer signs" (crown on top) and "junction trailblazer signs" (enclosed crown). How come the former are used in andrepoiy's second photo for the 401, 403, and QEW?

At risk of taking this into Fictional territory, I've been curious as to what a set of shields (junction, trailblazer, etc.) would look like if Ontario were to use numbered TCH signs.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 27, 2022, 09:27:03 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 26, 2022, 01:54:27 PM
Congratulations on your new camera.

If you want to get good at taking road photos, there is no substitute for just getting outside and taking lots of photos.  That's how I learned.  There are also some great youtube videos out there on how to learn how to use a camera.

Thanks sir!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 27, 2022, 09:27:28 PM
I have attempted to make a timelapse video with my new camera, which I have now posted here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esNlvGVDTeo
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 01, 2023, 07:06:42 PM
I've also now attempted to do a night-time timelapse, however it seems like the image quality isn't as good. Enjoy if you're interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNp-POk4yGk
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 01, 2023, 08:42:47 PM
Drone photo of the 401 at the 427 in Etobicoke looking east:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_DJI_0020_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=c37b756e2244bcbbcbc512680b2d7149028edabd)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0020_Oct22_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_DJI_0020_Oct22_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 01, 2023, 08:44:34 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 01, 2023, 07:06:42 PM
I've also now attempted to do a night-time timelapse, however it seems like the image quality isn't as good. Enjoy if you're interested.

Night photography/videography is a lot more technically challenging.  You may need a faster lens (one with a brighter maximum aperture) to really see an improvement in quality.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 08, 2023, 10:05:27 PM
Wonder if we'll get a new sign, or simply a repair of the damaged sign

Source: OPP twitter
(https://i.imgur.com/L3ewpbf.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on January 09, 2023, 11:41:02 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 08, 2023, 10:05:27 PM
Wonder if we'll get a new sign, or simply a repair of the damaged sign

Source: OPP twitter
(https://i.imgur.com/L3ewpbf.png)

While it may be possible to salvage the signs, given that the support structure will definitely need to be replaced I'd bet on all new signs here with these getting recycled or repurposed.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 09, 2023, 05:21:39 PM
Shield for Highway 418 South:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F418_TKH_Shield_Jan23_forum.jpg&hash=65efdfdd5ae13cea35fc2faa665eb7b8ccc3cd92)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_TKH_Shield_Jan23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/418_TKH_Shield_Jan23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: LilianaUwU on January 09, 2023, 05:24:04 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on January 08, 2023, 10:05:27 PM
Wonder if we'll get a new sign, or simply a repair of the damaged sign

Source: OPP twitter
(https://i.imgur.com/L3ewpbf.png)

For comparison, here it is last month when I went by there:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52618406520_6eb8b85f7d.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oaH64w)Now-collapsed gantry, ON 401 WB exit 410 (https://flic.kr/p/2oaH64w) by Liliana Vess (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lilianauwu/), on Flickr

What happened? Did someone hit it, or did it collapse on its own?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 09, 2023, 08:51:47 PM
It was struck by a dump truck with its box stuck up.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: amroad17 on January 10, 2023, 12:22:34 AM
^ Just like in the USA, the usual suspect when it comes to bringing down or damaging overhead signs (and bridges).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: J N Winkler on January 26, 2023, 10:45:43 PM
Quick question--I'm updating my global list of Maltese cross stacks and so far I show just one in all of Ontario (and Canada):  Hwy. 400/407 ETR.  Are there any others?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on January 27, 2023, 01:56:23 PM
Quote from: J N Winkler on January 26, 2023, 10:45:43 PM
Quick question--I'm updating my global list of Maltese cross stacks and so far I show just one in all of Ontario (and Canada):  Hwy. 400/407 ETR.  Are there any others?

Pretty sure that's the only full stack interchange in Ontario
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 12, 2023, 07:08:29 PM
Some wintery views of the 401 through Halton Hills from a couple of weeks ago:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_327_east_Feb23_forum.jpg&hash=92a998fda9bb71ded1fdeb7d33230eb2400da339)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_east_Feb23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_east_Feb23_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_327_east_EB_Feb23_forum.jpg&hash=fb978b1e08d33552ec860797e7a4624b144de0a4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_east_EB_Feb23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_327_east_EB_Feb23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 17, 2023, 04:36:19 PM
More 401 photos, this time looking westerly from Mississauga Road:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=dc7b4c631fafe6f4d9013b4b791cf37934f9b16b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=4789381df0c2c2f1e16eeda94913da739a958a95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on March 18, 2023, 02:24:24 AM
Light traffic. What time of day?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on March 18, 2023, 12:48:37 PM
I think they were both taken around lunchtime or early afternoon.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on March 22, 2023, 10:21:52 PM
I have a wild conspiracy theory: I think the owners of Highway 407 are bankrolling the opposition to 413.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 23, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on March 22, 2023, 10:21:52 PM
I have a wild conspiracy theory: I think the owners of Highway 407 are bankrolling the opposition to 413.

Unlikely as they would be one of the leading candidates to build and operate it. Plus it'll provide negligible impact to their traffic patterns, 413's alignment is too far north.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on March 23, 2023, 11:10:46 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on March 23, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on March 22, 2023, 10:21:52 PM
I have a wild conspiracy theory: I think the owners of Highway 407 are bankrolling the opposition to 413.

Unlikely as they would be one of the leading candidates to build and operate it. Plus it'll provide negligible impact to their traffic patterns, 413's alignment is too far north.

The government has said it won't be tolled.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on March 24, 2023, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: kernals12 on March 23, 2023, 11:10:46 PM
Quote from: cbeach40 on March 23, 2023, 09:55:44 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on March 22, 2023, 10:21:52 PM
I have a wild conspiracy theory: I think the owners of Highway 407 are bankrolling the opposition to 413.

Unlikely as they would be one of the leading candidates to build and operate it. Plus it'll provide negligible impact to their traffic patterns, 413's alignment is too far north.

The government has said it won't be tolled.

The operate the 412 and 418 and they aren't tolled. And they've been involved in countless other non-toll road projects throughout the province, let alone globally.
Whether the revenue comes from tolls or private clients or government coffers it doesn't matter to them.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on March 28, 2023, 10:17:01 AM
You want some rageporn? The vast majority of the toll you pay to use 407 is dividends for shareholders  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

(https://i.imgur.com/cQ5Trz6.png)

I think Ontario should announce it intends to buy 51% of the toll road and then cut tolls. The stock price would plummet and it would be cheap for them to buy it.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on April 05, 2023, 09:56:13 AM
The Region of Waterloo is in favour of closing the Highway 85 on and off-ramps to Lancaster St for a future Lancaster road reconstruction. City of Kitchener city council voted the opposite, but ultimately the decision lies with the Region and MTO since Lancaster St is a regional road (#29). The Region will have a final vote on April 12.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/highway-85-ramps-lancaster-waterloo-region-council-kitchener-1.6801695 (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/highway-85-ramps-lancaster-waterloo-region-council-kitchener-1.6801695)

Personally I'm in favour of the ramp closure (particularly the SB exit off Highway 85). Once a week, I'll use the on-ramp to Highway 85 SB from Bridgeport and it quickly becomes the exit for Lancaster, which gives little time to merge onto the highway (street view (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4729405,-80.4904012,3a,24.9y,89.97h,88.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sW1UbvYsMjY9_RUwkvI-siA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)). The Bridgeport and Wellington exits are close enough that the time difference by closing the ramps seems minimal. Also, I like the plan of reducing Lancaster to two lanes with bike lanes, since it's already two lanes north and south of the highway anyway.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on April 05, 2023, 12:48:34 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on April 05, 2023, 09:56:13 AM
The Region of Waterloo is in favour of closing the Highway 85 on and off-ramps to Lancaster St for a future Lancaster road reconstruction. City of Kitchener city council voted the opposite, but ultimately the decision lies with the Region and MTO since Lancaster St is a regional road (#29). The Region will have a final vote on April 12.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/highway-85-ramps-lancaster-waterloo-region-council-kitchener-1.6801695 (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/highway-85-ramps-lancaster-waterloo-region-council-kitchener-1.6801695)

Personally I'm in favour of the ramp closure (particularly the SB exit off Highway 85). Once a week, I'll use the on-ramp to Highway 85 SB from Bridgeport and it quickly becomes the exit for Lancaster, which gives little time to merge onto the highway (street view (https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4729405,-80.4904012,3a,24.9y,89.97h,88.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sW1UbvYsMjY9_RUwkvI-siA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)). The Bridgeport and Wellington exits are close enough that the time difference by closing the ramps seems minimal. Also, I like the plan of reducing Lancaster to two lanes with bike lanes, since it's already two lanes north and south of the highway anyway.

I have an idea then I sketched to resolve some of the problems on Hwy-85 and Lancaster st. but this solution might be costly and NIMBYs will probably dislike it as well.
(https://zupimages.net/up/23/14/fud0.jpg) (https://zupimages.net/viewer.php?id=23/14/fud0.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on April 05, 2023, 02:39:29 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on April 05, 2023, 12:48:34 PM
I have an idea then I sketched to resolve some of the problems on Hwy-85 and Lancaster st. but this solution might be costly and NIMBYs will probably dislike it as well.
(https://zupimages.net/up/23/14/fud0.jpg) (https://zupimages.net/viewer.php?id=23/14/fud0.jpg)

That looks expensive and would likely require more right-of-way, but it would certainly have high vehicle throughput.

Personally I don't find the on-ramp from Lancaster problematic*, so here's an idea that focuses on the Lancaster off-ramp. This still provides access to Lancaster, but requires passing through an intersection at Bridgeport first. It also eliminates the weaving on Bridgeport between the two loop ramps.
(https://i.imgur.com/6fcexS8.png)

* From the perspective of Highway 85. There's a good argument to made that the on-ramp isn't cyclist friendly for those on Lancaster St.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 06:18:53 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 17, 2023, 04:36:19 PM
More 401 photos, this time looking westerly from Mississauga Road:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=dc7b4c631fafe6f4d9013b4b791cf37934f9b16b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=4789381df0c2c2f1e16eeda94913da739a958a95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg)

I find it rather peculiar that the chevron striping between the HOV and regular lanes does not touch the outer striping. There appears to be about a two or three inch gap.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 06:26:35 PM
The Basketweave:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_ar_Basketweave_Apr23.jpg&hash=731458e093d7cb4445bb2cfddd2f732f239c66b4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_Basketweave_Apr23_24x18.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_ar_Basketweave_Apr23_24x18.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 06:29:40 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 06:18:53 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on March 17, 2023, 04:36:19 PM
More 401 photos, this time looking westerly from Mississauga Road:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=dc7b4c631fafe6f4d9013b4b791cf37934f9b16b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_C_Mar23_24x16.jpg)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_forum.jpg&hash=4789381df0c2c2f1e16eeda94913da739a958a95)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_336_west_EB_Mar23_24x16.jpg)

I find it rather peculiar that the chevron striping between the HOV and regular lanes does not touch the outer striping. There appears to be about a two or three inch gap.

For whatever the reason, all of the HOV lanes in Toronto are striped this way.  Seems to have been done deliberately.

In Ottawa, on the 417, the marks within the buffer touch the outer lines.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 08:21:25 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 06:29:40 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 06:18:53 PM
I find it rather peculiar that the chevron striping between the HOV and regular lanes does not touch the outer striping. There appears to be about a two or three inch gap.

For whatever the reason, all of the HOV lanes in Toronto are striped this way.  Seems to have been done deliberately.

In Ottawa, on the 417, the marks within the buffer touch the outer lines.

I do actually like it. I don't know why...but I do.

The only thing I don't like, and maybe this is a thing with all MTO carpool lanes: the striping really should be actual chevrons rather than simple striping. I think the idea with striping is that it should "point" towards the direction of traffic. The carpool lane side of the striping has the stripes pointing against the flow of traffic (something like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Km3zGEozsHcGDasD9)).

Very minor thing, I don't even think it's a steadfast rule. From poking around on satellite view, it doesn't seem like neutral-area chevrons are used in much of any capacity around the GTA.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 08:35:43 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on April 05, 2023, 02:39:29 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on April 05, 2023, 12:48:34 PM
I have an idea then I sketched to resolve some of the problems on Hwy-85 and Lancaster st. but this solution might be costly and NIMBYs will probably dislike it as well.
(https://zupimages.net/up/23/14/fud0.jpg) (https://zupimages.net/viewer.php?id=23/14/fud0.jpg)

That looks expensive and would likely require more right-of-way, but it would certainly have high vehicle throughput.

Personally I don't find the on-ramp from Lancaster problematic*, so here's an idea that focuses on the Lancaster off-ramp. This still provides access to Lancaster, but requires passing through an intersection at Bridgeport first. It also eliminates the weaving on Bridgeport between the two loop ramps.
(https://i.imgur.com/6fcexS8.png)

* From the perspective of Highway 85. There's a good argument to made that the on-ramp isn't cyclist friendly for those on Lancaster St.

If you wanted to be really thrifty, you could implement this one-way road with the current ramp configuration, or with some simple modifications. Something like this (https://www.google.com/maps/@49.1699954,-122.9530563,139m/data=!3m1!1e3). Slightly less demolition, although the lane configuration on Hwy 85 would still need to be modified to prevent people on 85 from exiting towards Lancaster.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 09:08:19 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 08:21:25 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 06:29:40 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 06:18:53 PM
I find it rather peculiar that the chevron striping between the HOV and regular lanes does not touch the outer striping. There appears to be about a two or three inch gap.
For whatever the reason, all of the HOV lanes in Toronto are striped this way.  Seems to have been done deliberately.

In Ottawa, on the 417, the marks within the buffer touch the outer lines.

I do actually like it. I don't know why...but I do.

The only thing I don't like, and maybe this is a thing with all MTO carpool lanes: the striping really should be actual chevrons rather than simple striping. I think the idea with striping is that it should "point" towards the direction of traffic. The carpool lane side of the striping has the stripes pointing against the flow of traffic (something like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Km3zGEozsHcGDasD9)).

Very minor thing, I don't even think it's a steadfast rule. From poking around on satellite view, it doesn't seem like neutral-area chevrons are used in much of any capacity around the GTA.


Arizona uses chevrons on their (few) buffer separated HOV lanes though to me, chevrons like that kind of seem more appropriate for a bullnose to signify an exit than for the buffer between an HOV lane and a GPL.  But there's a bit of personal preference there.

Personally, my favourite treatment was the four yellow lines that Caltrans used to use.

,
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 09, 2023, 10:33:38 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 09:08:19 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 08:21:25 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 06:29:40 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on April 09, 2023, 06:18:53 PM
I find it rather peculiar that the chevron striping between the HOV and regular lanes does not touch the outer striping. There appears to be about a two or three inch gap.
For whatever the reason, all of the HOV lanes in Toronto are striped this way.  Seems to have been done deliberately.

In Ottawa, on the 417, the marks within the buffer touch the outer lines.

I do actually like it. I don't know why...but I do.

The only thing I don't like, and maybe this is a thing with all MTO carpool lanes: the striping really should be actual chevrons rather than simple striping. I think the idea with striping is that it should "point" towards the direction of traffic. The carpool lane side of the striping has the stripes pointing against the flow of traffic (something like this (https://goo.gl/maps/Km3zGEozsHcGDasD9)).

Very minor thing, I don't even think it's a steadfast rule. From poking around on satellite view, it doesn't seem like neutral-area chevrons are used in much of any capacity around the GTA.


Arizona uses chevrons on their (few) buffer separated HOV lanes though to me, chevrons like that kind of seem more appropriate for a bullnose to signify an exit than for the buffer between an HOV lane and a GPL.  But there's a bit of personal preference there.

Personally, my favourite treatment was the four yellow lines that Caltrans used to use.

,
Jake's perspective agrees with the MUTCD, so I'll agree with him. Chevrons for any same-direction traffic division.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 11:40:01 PM
I guess TxDOTs exit stripes near Austin must violate the MUTCD then:

(https://asphaltplanet.ca/TX/MISC/AustinStripe.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 10, 2023, 02:49:02 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 11:40:01 PM
I guess TxDOTs exit stripes near Austin must violate the MUTCD then:

(https://asphaltplanet.ca/TX/MISC/AustinStripe.png)

If it's in the MUTCD as Alps says...then yes. Generally speaking, I think the striping should be consistent with whatever object marker sign could also be placed in that same area.

I don't think Texas is the only one who does this. Certain regions of WSDOT also used stripes (example before (https://goo.gl/maps/v43EMDKN9n2Wr6JRA)) before transitioning to chevrons in the last decade (example after (https://goo.gl/maps/mbEeD9b2VpJtzPhN9)).

Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on April 09, 2023, 09:08:19 PM
Personally, my favourite treatment was the four yellow lines that Caltrans used to use.

I was also a fan, though I like the new all-white variant too.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 10, 2023, 10:12:04 AM
Here's the 2019 MUTCD for pavement markings:

Section 3B-10 shows chevrons being used to mark an obstruction in the pavement.  See Figure 3B-15 (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part3/part3b.htm#figure3B15).

An HOV lane buffer doesn't reflect an obstruction, plus its a moot point since Ontario isn't subject to the US MUTCD.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on April 10, 2023, 10:36:39 PM
I don't believe there is any requirement for markings in that neutral area to begin with, so it's unlikely that you'll find any particular standards specifically for it. If Ontario wants to use that kind of striping, I don't see any rule (Canadian or American) saying "no"; my suggestion of using chevrons simply comes from neutral areas between same-direction traffic flows normally use chevron-style striping, if any striping is used at all.

Perhaps the closest analogy might actually be the striping in the neutral (buffer) space between regular traffic lanes and bike lanes. From speaking to an American-based professional in the field, the neutral space would have either no markings if 1 foot or less, regular diagonal striping if between 1 and 3 feet, and chevrons if greater than 3 feet in width. Applying this theory to the HOV lanes in Ontario, they seem to be about four feet wide, so they should use chevron markings. But since they are not bike lanes, and MTO probably has their own standard, it's a moot point anyways.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on April 10, 2023, 11:21:54 PM
The MUTCD does not require chevrons in the gore, but if you stripe at a 45 degree angle, the stripe is ALWAYS to go in the direction of traffic, which yields chevrons in a gore.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on April 20, 2023, 11:43:06 AM
Hwy 85 Lancaster interchange to remain open
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/lancaster-street-ramps-to-remain-open-following-tie-vote-at-regional-council-1.6363279


So, here's some concepts to at least somewhat fix it

Routing the south ramp through Bridgeport
(https://i.imgur.com/dXGP5dz.png)


Routing both ramps through Bridgeport
(https://i.imgur.com/gYexgdL.png)


Or just go for it and extend the collector lanes  :D
(https://i.imgur.com/w50WFJu.png)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on April 22, 2023, 10:58:23 AM
One can never have too many collector lanes.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 09, 2023, 06:12:20 PM
A long time ago, there was some plans for some upgrades of Hwy-7/8 between Stratford and New Hamburg and thanks to the Wayback Machine, I found a old article where some folks wanted a northern alignment. https://web.archive.org/web/20171205032750/http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/07/26/another-meeting-another-hwy-78-bypass-route  Is there some progress about this project who seems to be as long as Hwy-7 between WKC and Guelph when it come for fruitition?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 10, 2023, 12:39:25 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 09, 2023, 06:12:20 PM
A long time ago, there was some plans for some upgrades of Hwy-7/8 between Stratford and New Hamburg and thanks to the Wayback Machine, I found a old article where some folks wanted a northern alignment. https://web.archive.org/web/20171205032750/http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/07/26/another-meeting-another-hwy-78-bypass-route  Is there some progress about this project who seems to be as long as Hwy-7 between WKC and Guelph when it come for fruitition?

No updates since 2018. Ministry has focused on other priorities both in Southwestern Ontario and elsewhere since then.
http://www.7and8corridorstudy.ca/study_schedule.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on May 20, 2023, 08:17:39 AM
A new exit has opened on Highway 427 without much fanfare and the signs on Highway 427 have now been changed to reflect that: Garnet Williams Way


https://twitter.com/City_of_Vaughan/status/1655890395178336261?cxt=HHwWioCw-dDi8_otAAAA
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 74/171FAN on May 20, 2023, 08:48:38 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on May 20, 2023, 08:17:39 AM
A new exit has opened on Highway 427 without much fanfare and the signs on Highway 427 have now been changed to reflect that: William Garnet Way


https://twitter.com/City_of_Vaughan/status/1655890395178336261?cxt=HHwWioCw-dDi8_otAAAA

If I am looking at this right, this is a no-build in regard to Travel Mapping.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on May 23, 2023, 01:05:46 PM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on May 20, 2023, 08:48:38 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on May 20, 2023, 08:17:39 AM
A new exit has opened on Highway 427 without much fanfare and the signs on Highway 427 have now been changed to reflect that: William Garnet Way


https://twitter.com/City_of_Vaughan/status/1655890395178336261?cxt=HHwWioCw-dDi8_otAAAA

If I am looking at this right, this is a no-build in regard to Travel Mapping.

Correct. It is not a new exit, they just added a new leg to the east ramp terminal at the existing Major Mack exit.
https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.8248347,-79.6576655,130m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 01, 2023, 02:14:08 AM
Well, the website is live and notices are public, so can finally share: the province has initiated a study to twin the St. Thomas Expressway and construct a bypass of Talbotville.
https://highway3elgin.ca/

(https://i.imgur.io/2bAXpk4_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium)

From original plans in the 1960s to political motives whittling the design down in the 1970s to it finally opening as a staged freeway in the 1980s, the next chapter in the STE's story is finally being written.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on June 01, 2023, 10:32:00 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on June 01, 2023, 02:14:08 AM
Well, the website is live and notices are public, so can finally share: the province has initiated a study to twin the St. Thomas Expressway and construct a bypass of Talbotville.
https://highway3elgin.ca/

(https://i.imgur.io/2bAXpk4_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium)

From original plans in the 1960s to political motives whittling the design down in the 1970s to it finally opening as a staged freeway in the 1980s, the next chapter in the STE's story is finally being written.

Neat. Are there plans to duplicate Hwy 3 all the way to Fort Erie?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on June 01, 2023, 10:35:44 AM
Quote from: kernals12 on June 01, 2023, 10:32:00 AM
Neat. Are there plans to duplicate Hwy 3 all the way to Fort Erie?

Barring some dramatic change like a quarter million people moving into Haldimand County, no.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on June 01, 2023, 01:59:00 PM
Haldimand County could use a quarter million more people.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: doglover44 on July 01, 2023, 03:53:56 AM
Is there a website dedicated to Ontario highways ?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on July 01, 2023, 11:01:57 AM
Quote from: doglover44 on July 01, 2023, 03:53:56 AM
Is there a website dedicated to Ontario highways ?

I can recommend a few:

The King's Highway, a good source of information and pictures
https://thekingshighway.ca/

There's also AsphaltPlanet which is also a lot of pictures.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/index.html

Ontario highway articles on Wikipedia are also generally very well written and I would recommend those as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on July 04, 2023, 11:00:17 AM
Quote from: andrepoiy on July 01, 2023, 11:01:57 AM
Quote from: doglover44 on July 01, 2023, 03:53:56 AM
Is there a website dedicated to Ontario highways ?

I can recommend a few:

The King's Highway, a good source of information and pictures
https://thekingshighway.ca/

There's also AsphaltPlanet which is also a lot of pictures.
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/index.html

Ontario highway articles on Wikipedia are also generally very well written and I would recommend those as well.

They're great when they scrape info from the other two, but otherwise not so much.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 07, 2023, 09:11:55 PM
Looking southerly along the 400 at the 401 interchange:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_DJI_0505_forum.jpg&hash=f17e3f585940bc918f544991971c0806e63f69a4)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0505.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_DJI_0505.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 26, 2023, 01:17:25 PM
Pre-dawn view of Highway 11/17 at the Ouimet Canyon rail underpass between Thunder Bay and Nipigon taken some 19 hours ago:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_11_images%2F11_cl_DSC05275_Jul23_forum.jpg&hash=dbc267102a265f1fbdd27ec663b5e92f28f83a5e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC05275_Jul23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_11_images/11_cl_DSC05275_Jul23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on July 31, 2023, 11:04:12 PM
Drone shot of Highway 17 crossing the Little Pic River west of Marathon, Ontario:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_17_images%2F17_DJI_0059_forum.jpg&hash=590f35aa21016dfb4b55b83bc82cb4c27f56c01c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_17_images/17_DJI_0059_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_17_images/17_DJI_0059_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2023, 06:35:26 PM
LRT construction adjacent to the 417 adjacent to the Pinecrest Road interchange in western Ottawa:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_DJI_0091_forum.jpg&hash=24724a94e06c46e9761ec674c11c1b6c6b842f92)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_DJI_0091_24x18.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_DJI_0091_24x18.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 04, 2023, 08:36:39 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2023, 06:35:26 PM
LRT construction adjacent to the 417 adjacent to the Pinecrest Road interchange in western Ottawa:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_DJI_0091_forum.jpg&hash=24724a94e06c46e9761ec674c11c1b6c6b842f92)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_DJI_0091_24x18.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_DJI_0091_24x18.jpg)

It seems like they tightened the radius of the ramps. I wonder why that is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 04, 2023, 09:54:05 PM
I believe the westbound off-ramp is temporary and will be restored when work is more advanced on the LRT.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: jakeroot on August 05, 2023, 01:25:23 AM
Loop on-ramp tightening has become a thing. The Parclo A4 on-ramps at Interstate 182 and Road 68 in Pasco, Washington (https://www.google.com/maps/@46.2656592,-119.1818378,561m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu) were tightened to improve pedestrian safety. The idea being to slow traffic down turning onto the freeway, hopefully making it more likely for them to yield to pedestrians. In California, it's also quite common for Parclo A4 ramps to meet at 90 degree angles, funneling everyone through a single intersection, achieving the same result.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on August 05, 2023, 09:28:37 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?
As much variation between regions as we would have between counties in certain states (Ohio for example).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on August 05, 2023, 09:42:36 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?

I would say that in Ontario white is the norm for county/regional routes.

The only jurisdictions that do not conform to that standard (that I know of) are: Niagara Region (blue), Hamilton (blue), Peel Region (black and yellow), and Halton Region (green and yellow).

As to why that particular Niagara Region shield is white, I don't know. Perhaps it's the older standard? No idea.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 10:07:20 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 05, 2023, 09:42:36 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?

I would say that in Ontario white is the norm for county/regional routes.

The only jurisdictions that do not conform to that standard (that I know of) are: Niagara Region (blue), Hamilton (blue), Peel Region (black and yellow), and Halton Region (green and yellow).

As to why that particular Niagara Region shield is white, I don't know. Perhaps it's the older standard? No idea.
Given that that particular shield is at the ON 20/ON 58 intersection, could it have to do with being a MTO install?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: 7/8 on August 05, 2023, 11:00:54 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 05, 2023, 09:42:36 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?

I would say that in Ontario white is the norm for county/regional routes.

The only jurisdictions that do not conform to that standard (that I know of) are: Niagara Region (blue), Hamilton (blue), Peel Region (black and yellow), and Halton Region (green and yellow).

As to why that particular Niagara Region shield is white, I don't know. Perhaps it's the older standard? No idea.

A few more to add:
- Grey County: white on blue
- Perth County: green on white
- Simcoe County: blue on white
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 05, 2023, 11:05:33 PM
The white signs for Niagara Region are MTO signs, while the blue ones are Niagara Regional signs.  For better or for worse, the MTO pretty much always just installs standard county route markers when it installs signage for county roads ignoring local standards or variations on the design.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 06, 2023, 09:09:17 PM
Hwy 401 looking easterly from the James Snow Parkway interchange:
(https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_EB_t_Aug23_forum.jpg)
https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_EB_t_Aug23_24x16.jpg (https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_324_east_EB_t_Aug23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2023, 05:39:40 PM
View looking towards Toronto overtop of the recently twinned QEW bridges that carry the highway overtop of the Credit River.  Both directions of traffic have been shifted onto the new span to allow the old bridge to be fully rehabilitated:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2FQEW_images%2FQEW_DJI_0540_forum.jpg&hash=8ebcb9a80cb851305d0a1347dc8800131a2b7e2e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_DJI_0540_24x18.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/QEW_images/QEW_DJI_0540_24x18.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: SSR_317 on August 21, 2023, 02:46:55 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on August 05, 2023, 09:42:36 PM
Quote from: vdeane on August 05, 2023, 04:23:14 PM
Last weekend, I noticed that many regional routes are signed with blue shields (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0418846,-79.1984958,3a,31.4y,28.64h,88.67t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DSm46IIMfS_o2-RMIilEdcA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D267.98154%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), which others are signed with white ones (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0797983,-79.1991283,3a,15y,28.79h,87.85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sfsFCtGTl_oybEqPRmA1jUg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu).  Why are some blue and others white?

I would say that in Ontario white is the norm for county/regional routes.

The only jurisdictions that do not conform to that standard (that I know of) are: Niagara Region (blue), Hamilton (blue), Peel Region (black and yellow), and Halton Region (green and yellow).

As to why that particular Niagara Region shield is white, I don't know. Perhaps it's the older standard? No idea.
You'd THINK that Hamilton would use black & yellow as an homage to their CFL team's colours (Go Ti-Cats!). I know they're having a rough season, but still.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 15, 2023, 01:26:21 PM
Night view looking southerly along the 404 from Van Horne Avenue in North York taken last month:

(https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_21_south_SB_Sep23_forum.jpg)
https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_21_south_SB_Sep23_24x16.jpg (https://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_21_south_SB_Sep23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 26, 2023, 02:06:25 PM
Photo looking easterly from Hespeler Road (Hwy 24) in Cambridge showing the progress to widen the 401.  Photo taken last weekend:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_282_east_EB-t_Oct22-23_forum.png&hash=985b46cad095f8fca0e2ef502da5bfacb9b4774c)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_282_east_EB-t_Oct22-23_24x16.png
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Chris on October 26, 2023, 03:43:18 PM
What is the typical light pole height on these wide sections of freeway around Toronto? 40 or 50 meters? Or even more?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on October 27, 2023, 10:22:50 AM
Quote from: Chris on October 26, 2023, 03:43:18 PM
What is the typical light pole height on these wide sections of freeway around Toronto? 40 or 50 meters? Or even more?

Quote from: cbeach40 on August 16, 2022, 12:16:49 PM
That basic design can be 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 metres in height.

Checked the contract drawings, these particular ones are the 40 m variant.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on October 28, 2023, 09:49:12 PM
Easterly view of the 401 and the 412 interchange from Lake Ridge Road in Whitby.  I've shot this interchange a bunch of time.  Despite the fact that the ramps aren't curvilinear (as they should be), it's still quite a photogenic interchange.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_401_images%2F401_cl_406_east_EB-ramp_Oct23_forum.jpg&hash=856c8e6027f39b1e04b3f8e7ef05d5770975aab8)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_406_east_EB-ramp_Oct23_24x16.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_401_images/401_cl_406_east_EB-ramp_Oct23_24x16.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 27, 2023, 08:05:17 PM
Interesting development today; as part of a larger new funding deal between the Province of Ontario and City of Toronto, the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway will be uploaded to the province, https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/here-are-the-highlights-of-the-new-funding-deal-between-the-province-and-the-city-of-toronto-1.6662719. Sources are also indicating a similar deal with the City of Ottawa might be forthcoming and include uploading Regional Road 174 (former Highway 17) back to the province, although that deal has not been announced, https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/deal-between-ottawa-and-province-similar-to-toronto-likely-coming-sources-1.6662824.

It would be interesting to see what will happen with the announced deal with Toronto and the rumored deal with Ottawa in terms of highway designations. I'm guessing that if the 400-series highways were extended, DVP would become part of Highway 404 while the Gardiner Expressway would have some sort of association with Queen Elizabeth Way and/or unsigned Highway 451 - exit numbers for both (formerly) municipal expressways are already continuous with the respective 400-series highways.

As for the possible uploading of RR 174, it would be interesting to see how extensive that would be and what (if any) number would be used. For example, would an uploaded RR 174 only include the freeway section near Hwy 417, the entire section within Ottawa, or the entire former Hwy 17 section that includes Prescott and Russell County Road 17? Also, would an uploaded highway retain its Hwy 174 number, revert back to being Hwy 17 (pre-1998), or maybe be renumbered entirely? The local Liberal MPP introduced a bill to upload the entire route in 2021, https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/mpp-calls-on-ontario-to-take-over-responsibility-of-hwy-174-in-ottawa-s-east-end-1.5641034, but at this point it is still remains downloaded.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on November 27, 2023, 09:12:11 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on November 27, 2023, 08:05:17 PM
It would be interesting to see what will happen with the announced deal with Toronto and the rumored deal with Ottawa in terms of highway designations. I'm guessing that if the 400-series highways were extended, DVP would become part of Highway 404 while the Gardiner Expressway would have some sort of association with Queen Elizabeth Way and/or unsigned Highway 451 - exit numbers for both (formerly) municipal expressways are already continuous with the respective 400-series highways.

That or they could bring back Hwy-2 from the dead for the Gardiner. 

It could be interesting to see if the E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor will be lucky as well?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 27, 2023, 11:30:11 PM
I think there perhaps might be a case for the 404 being extended down the DVP and the QEW being extended as well. But I suspect that the "local names" of DVP and Gardiner will stick.

I am excited for when all those imo ugly City of Toronto signs get replaced by proper MTO signs on both freeways and for (especially the DVP) to be redesigned to MTO standards.

For Ottawa though, I feel that it may be unlikely that RR-174 gets renumbered to 17, as that would again create another discontinuous segment. Perhaps it might just stay as 174?

Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on November 28, 2023, 12:25:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 27, 2023, 11:30:11 PM
I think there perhaps might be a case for the 404 being extended down the DVP and the QEW being extended as well. But I suspect that the "local names" of DVP and Gardiner will stick.

I am excited for when all those imo ugly City of Toronto signs get replaced by proper MTO signs on both freeways and for (especially the DVP) to be redesigned to MTO standards.

For Ottawa though, I feel that it may be unlikely that RR-174 gets renumbered to 17, as that would again create another discontinuous segment. Perhaps it might just stay as 174?



Right, in reality the routes would probably co-designated with the name & number (i.e. Hwy 404 / Don Valley Parkway) if highway numbers are extended. Being from Alberta, I'm very familiar with both the name and number on urban freeways (i.e. Hwy 2 / Deerfoot Trail), regardless of ownership.

I'm not as familiar with how things are done in Ontario, but how are provincial named/numbered freeways signed? Generally it seems like only the number is signed, even if there is a name. For example, it seems like in the case of Hwy 417 / Queensway, I don't think the name 'Queensway' is commonly signed in Ottawa.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: kernals12 on November 28, 2023, 12:29:55 PM
Hwy 404 of course is notoriously difficult to find
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on November 28, 2023, 03:08:52 PM
Quote from: dmuzika on November 28, 2023, 12:25:12 PM
Quote from: andrepoiy on November 27, 2023, 11:30:11 PM
I think there perhaps might be a case for the 404 being extended down the DVP and the QEW being extended as well. But I suspect that the "local names" of DVP and Gardiner will stick.

I am excited for when all those imo ugly City of Toronto signs get replaced by proper MTO signs on both freeways and for (especially the DVP) to be redesigned to MTO standards.

For Ottawa though, I feel that it may be unlikely that RR-174 gets renumbered to 17, as that would again create another discontinuous segment. Perhaps it might just stay as 174?



Right, in reality the routes would probably co-designated with the name & number (i.e. Hwy 404 / Don Valley Parkway) if highway numbers are extended. Being from Alberta, I'm very familiar with both the name and number on urban freeways (i.e. Hwy 2 / Deerfoot Trail), regardless of ownership.

I'm not as familiar with how things are done in Ontario, but how are provincial named/numbered freeways signed? Generally it seems like only the number is signed, even if there is a name. For example, it seems like in the case of Hwy 417 / Queensway, I don't think the name 'Queensway' is commonly signed in Ottawa.

I think the only provincial freeways that have a name in Ontario are Queensway (417 in Ottawa) and the Conestoga Parkway (7, 8, 85 in Waterloo Region). Both of which are never signed on MTO signs. (Not sure if they are on municipal signs).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Alps on November 28, 2023, 06:52:28 PM
Considering 451 is hidden on the QEW, I imagine whatever numbers are assigned should this come to fruition will be hidden as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: rickmastfan67 on November 28, 2023, 10:09:16 PM
Could we perhaps see the QEW extended over BOTH the Gardiner & DVP?  Would be better to have 1 continuous route there IMO.

That or a brand new 4xx number both both routes?  Perhaps 422?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on November 29, 2023, 10:14:21 AM
The Queen Elizabeth Way does not have a secret designation, and as a placeholder in systems that only take numerical inputs 1 is used as a placeholder. 451 is available, and has even been recently considered for use elsewhere in the province.

Quote from: Alps on November 28, 2023, 06:52:28 PM
Considering 451 is hidden on the QEW, I imagine whatever numbers are assigned should this come to fruition will be hidden as well.

The Gardiner and DVP names have been around for decades, the transition points are logical, and changing them will only create disruption. We *might* see a 404/DVP co-designation posted, but the Gardiner will likely remain unchanged.

Also worth noting, the DVP might not meet 400-series design standards and the Gardiner for sure doesn't.

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on November 27, 2023, 09:12:11 PM
That or they could bring back Hwy-2 from the dead for the Gardiner. 

It could be interesting to see if the E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor will be lucky as well?

A small portion of Hwy 2 is still alive near Gananoque      https://maps.app.goo.gl/1WFGSnWCF4soBPNX6

Per the second point, certainly every municipality will be asking the province to take on some of their roads.

Quote from: andrepoiy on November 28, 2023, 03:08:52 PM
I think the only provincial freeways that have a name in Ontario are Queensway (417 in Ottawa) and the Conestoga Parkway (7, 8, 85 in Waterloo Region). Both of which are never signed on MTO signs. (Not sure if they are on municipal signs).

Queensway and Conestoga Pkwy used to be signed on some municipal signage but today it's just the numerical guide signs. Many sections of provincial highway have memorial dedications on them (eg, Hwy 405 as General Brock Pwky, 403 as the Alexander Graham Bell Pkwy, etc). And the EC Row Expwy has a portion that's owned by MTO but signed with just the name.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: zzcarp on November 29, 2023, 11:18:42 AM
Quote from: cbeach40 on November 29, 2023, 10:14:21 AM
The Gardiner and DVP names have been around for decades, the transition points are logical, and changing them will only create disruption. We *might* see a 404/DVP co-designation posted, but the Gardiner will likely remain unchanged.

Also worth noting, the DVP might not meet 400-series design standards and the Gardiner for sure doesn't.

Pre-downloading, the QEW extended another 6km east of Highway 427 to Lake Shore Drive/Highway 2. That could be resumed in theory with few design upgrades.

Regarding the 400-series design standards, how rigid is the MTO in enforcing these on pre-existing highways? Here in the states we have a lot of grandfathered Interstates that aren't up to 2023 standards, but AASHTO only gives a few waivers to new Interstate designations. Is that similar to the MTO's thought processes?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: cbeach40 on November 29, 2023, 01:07:38 PM
Quote from: zzcarp on November 29, 2023, 11:18:42 AM
Regarding the 400-series design standards, how rigid is the MTO in enforcing these on pre-existing highways? Here in the states we have a lot of grandfathered Interstates that aren't up to 2023 standards, but AASHTO only gives a few waivers to new Interstate designations. Is that similar to the MTO's thought processes?

Short answer is pretty well the same logic
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on November 30, 2023, 09:28:54 PM
Photo of the 407 looking easterly from Pine Valley Drive.  New towers are popping up adjacent to the subway extension at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_407-409_images%2F407_cl_63_east_EB_Aug23_forum.jpg&hash=65361dce23b29500a5da2b0846edd85de3905817)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_407-409_images/407_cl_63_east_EB_Aug23_42x28.jpg
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Stephane Dumas on December 01, 2023, 06:25:05 PM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.

The same could be said about Quebec, we're still at 100 km/h here as well.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: JREwing78 on December 01, 2023, 07:00:09 PM
Even worse, the 4-lane divided sections of Hwy 17 are posted for 90 km/h! That's absurdly slow, particularly when Michigan is posting many 2-lane highways for 65mph (105 km/h).
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Daniel Fiddler on December 02, 2023, 12:13:16 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 01, 2023, 06:25:05 PM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.

The same could be said about Quebec, we're still at 100 km/h here as well.

Exactly!  PQ 20 could use an upgrade to 120 or 130 as well in its rural areas!
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: dmuzika on December 03, 2023, 01:19:18 AM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.

Does the traffic flow generally follow the speed limit, or does it run higher during optimal conditions?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Daniel Fiddler on December 03, 2023, 07:22:55 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on December 03, 2023, 01:19:18 AM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.

Does the traffic flow generally follow the speed limit, or does it run higher during optimal conditions?

It's been 23 years since I have been to Canada, although I would imagine they drive around 75 - 85 mph like we do.

I doubt if our speed limits were set much higher speeds would change much, same for Canada.  Drivers drive what they are comfortable at.  They just want to drive what is safe and comfortable to them more legally.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: zzcarp on December 03, 2023, 10:49:24 AM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on December 03, 2023, 07:22:55 AM
Quote from: dmuzika on December 03, 2023, 01:19:18 AM
Quote from: Daniel Fiddler on November 30, 2023, 11:27:26 PM
Now if only Ontario would get its act together and increase the speed limit to 120 or 130 km / h.

100 km / h is too slow.  Even 110 km / h on the few roads its on is.

Does the traffic flow generally follow the speed limit, or does it run higher during optimal conditions?

It's been 23 years since I have been to Canada, although I would imagine they drive around 75 - 85 mph like we do.

I doubt if our speed limits were set much higher speeds would change much, same for Canada.  Drivers drive what they are comfortable at.  They just want to drive what is safe and comfortable to them more legally.

I've driven the stretch of Highway 17 from Sault Ste Marie to Sudbury at least yearly since the 90s. I'd say speeds averaged 65 mph (115kph) on the rural sections (posted 90) except for holiday weekends when there is a large OPP presence. The short 100 kph section by Sudbury tends to go 72 mph or so by my estimation.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 03, 2023, 11:50:15 AM
Highway speeds in Ontario are pretty similar to those in the surrounding jurisdictions in my opinion.

I think on average, drivers in Michigan drive slightly faster than those in Ontario.  (Michigan is in my opinion, the fastest state in the Great Lakes Region).  Drivers in Ontario are in general faster than those in New York State in my opinion.  New York has slow drivers.  At least in western New York.  I'm always surprised at how slowly people drive on the freeways in and around Buffalo.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: vdeane on December 03, 2023, 03:19:14 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on December 03, 2023, 11:50:15 AM
Highway speeds in Ontario are pretty similar to those in the surrounding jurisdictions in my opinion.

I think on average, drivers in Michigan drive slightly faster than those in Ontario.  (Michigan is in my opinion, the fastest state in the Great Lakes Region).  Drivers in Ontario are in general faster than those in New York State in my opinion.  New York has slow drivers.  At least in western New York.  I'm always surprised at how slowly people drive on the freeways in and around Buffalo.
I imagine the slower speed of traffic around Buffalo is due to traffic levels.  I-90, I-190, and I-290 are all quite busy relative to the number of lanes they have (especially I-90).  I've found speeds around the rest of upstate tend to be higher.

EDIT: Also worth noting that the speed limit is only 55 in the urban/suburban parts of Buffalo, so driving faster than 65 risks a ticket.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: andrepoiy on December 03, 2023, 03:31:44 PM
I would say that on the suburban sections of MTO freeways, people tend to drive 120 km/h in good traffic conditions. On Toronto freeways (DVP, Gardiner), they drive 100-110 km/h.

On rural sections that have high volumes (such as between London ON to Toronto, or Toronto to Kingston), lots of car platoons will cruise at 130 km/h.

On rural sections that have lower volumes (like Highway 402, Highway 401 from Windsor to London), cars typically travel slower at 110-120 km/h, probably because if they do encounter a cop, they aren't in a platoon and therefore will get singled out and pulled over.


As for neighbouring jurisdictions, Quebec and NYS are the only two that I've spent a significant time in.
Quebec drivers are notorious for following the speed limit in rural areas, with many people sticking to 100-105 km/h. However, in Montreal where the urban freeways are signed for 70 km/h, most drivers ignore that and drive up to 90-100 km/h when there's no traffic.
I would agree with the sentiment that WNY drivers in the Buffalo area do drive slower.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: Molandfreak on December 03, 2023, 10:07:14 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on December 01, 2023, 07:00:09 PM
Even worse, the 4-lane divided sections of Hwy 17 are posted for 90 km/h! That's absurdly slow, particularly when Michigan is posting many 2-lane highways for 65mph (105 km/h).
And all of the two-lane roadways were posted at 60 mph before the oil crisis. It's not like the rural areas of northern Ontario are growing much, so if 60 was good enough then, 100 km/h should be good enough today.

Even the twinned section of 11/17 east of Thunder Bay is still 90, which is especially ridiculous.
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on December 17, 2023, 02:37:19 PM
Southerly view over the 404 from the Elgin Mills Road overpass in Richmond Hill.  This is from October, right after the lifted the temporary concrete median barriers and started painting the lane markings for the new HOV lanes.

The skyline has really grown:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_cl_33_South_SB_Oct22_forum.jpg&hash=462dfd887cb5ef07f6e92ccba7580ce35d6c498b)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_33_south_SB_Oct22_42x28.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_404-406_images/404_cl_33_south_SB_Oct22_42x28.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 03, 2024, 09:42:10 PM
Signage on Highway 417 for the ramp to Ottawa Road 174 East:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_410-427_images%2F417_dv_113_west_Jan24_forum.jpg&hash=76c53b8bd30cfe559b87d9b25e4ed23a762df83e)
http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_113_west_Jan24_42x28.jpg (http://www.asphaltplanet.ca/ON/hwy_410-427_images/417_dv_113_west_Jan24_42x28.jpg)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on January 17, 2024, 04:15:29 PM
Bradford By-pass:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asphaltplanet.ca%2FON%2Fhwy_404-406_images%2F404_dv_DSC09243_forum.jpg&hash=8d21027f75625ffbcecb4125ecae8187e098a9f0)
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: doglover44 on February 22, 2024, 02:07:06 PM
Is there a good site that has Ontario maps ?
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on February 22, 2024, 11:55:22 PM
Ontario's maps can be found on this website:

https://ericsplates.weebly.com/highway.html
Title: Re: Ontario's Highways
Post by: doglover44 on February 24, 2024, 02:28:32 AM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on February 22, 2024, 11:55:22 PM
Ontario's maps can be found on this website:

https://ericsplates.weebly.com/highway.html

Thank you