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Quebec's Highways

Started by Stojko, February 04, 2010, 06:56:42 PM

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webfil

#350
Quote from: cbeach40 on October 25, 2017, 09:39:29 AMThe inconvenient truth of it is that politicians control the money, and politics don't necessarily allocate money towards the empirically demonstrated greatest need.
AMEN! See also Québec city third bridge, etc.

Quote from: oscar on October 25, 2017, 09:18:23 AMThere was no congestion or significant slowdown in Pike River, the one community on 133 south of A-35. And A-35 had light traffic until St-Jean-sur-Richelieu near its north end.
And even if there was something close to problematic volumes or an unacceptable level of service in Pike River, the solution would rather be a 2-3 lane bypass directly south of the town with non-access servitude; not a 4-lane divided, controlled-access freeway miles away from it.


Duke87

I mean, realistically speaking I-89 and I-95 extending all the way to the border are kinda unnecessary too. But were built decades ago anyway since the federal government in the US threw a bunch of money at it. Naturally there is some desire to close the gap on the Canadian side since short gaps on the map just look messy. You also get the "last mile" argument - this is all that stands between there being a freeway all the way from Montreal to Boston!

Indeed, the presence of a relatively highly secured border is likely the only reason traffic counts are so low on what is otherwise the most direct route between two decently sized metro areas. I'd think the traffic to justify finishing the freeway would be there if the US and Canada permitted citizens to travel between the two countries freely.

On that note, I am kinda curious: anyone know if traffic counts on QC 133 were any higher back in the 90s, when crossing the border was easier?
If you always take the same road, you will never see anything new.

cbeach40

Quote from: Duke87 on October 25, 2017, 10:51:44 PM
On that note, I am kinda curious: anyone know if traffic counts on QC 133 were any higher back in the 90s, when crossing the border was easier?

Don't have the Québec data myself, but generally speaking the Ontario ones have been in a steady decline for the last ten years. It really started before the passport rules came into effect in 2009. So while there's probably some causation, for the most part it seems to be correlation.
and waterrrrrrr!

webfil

#353
Quote from: cbeach40 on October 26, 2017, 08:19:03 AM
Quote from: Duke87 on October 25, 2017, 10:51:44 PM
On that note, I am kinda curious: anyone know if traffic counts on QC 133 were any higher back in the 90s, when crossing the border was easier?

Don't have the Québec data myself, but generally speaking the Ontario ones have been in a steady decline for the last ten years. It really started before the passport rules came into effect in 2009. So while there's probably some causation, for the most part it seems to be correlation.



Surprisingly, NAFTA had little to no effect on the volumes.

mrsman

Quote from: Duke87 on October 25, 2017, 10:51:44 PM
I mean, realistically speaking I-89 and I-95 extending all the way to the border are kinda unnecessary too. But were built decades ago anyway since the federal government in the US threw a bunch of money at it. Naturally there is some desire to close the gap on the Canadian side since short gaps on the map just look messy. You also get the "last mile" argument - this is all that stands between there being a freeway all the way from Montreal to Boston!

Indeed, the presence of a relatively highly secured border is likely the only reason traffic counts are so low on what is otherwise the most direct route between two decently sized metro areas. I'd think the traffic to justify finishing the freeway would be there if the US and Canada permitted citizens to travel between the two countries freely.

On that note, I am kinda curious: anyone know if traffic counts on QC 133 were any higher back in the 90s, when crossing the border was easier?

Agreed.  There are many rural interstates and other interstate-level freeways that do not need interstate level control.  4 lane expressways without traffic signals and with the occasional grade separation would generally be sufficient.

AsphaltPlanet

Video of Quebec's northern-most autoroute:

AsphaltPlanet.ca  Youtube -- Opinions expressed reflect the viewpoints of others.

Henry

Those Autoroutes sure are interesting! I've always wondered why they went with the red, white and blue shield; was that to match up with the American Interstates?
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

MikeTheActuary

Something I've been wondering recently:

In the US, we most frequently refer to interstates as (e.g.) "I-40", albeit with several regional variations.

What is the conversational term for Quebec Autoroutes in Quebecer English?  "Autoroute 40", "A-30", "Highway 15", ...?

AsphaltPlanet

If you listen to English radio in Montreal, it seems it's often "˜highway' or "˜the'.
AsphaltPlanet.ca  Youtube -- Opinions expressed reflect the viewpoints of others.

SignGeek101

Quote from: Henry on December 07, 2017, 09:22:47 AM
Those Autoroutes sure are interesting! I've always wondered why they went with the red, white and blue shield; was that to match up with the American Interstates?

Yes. It's a direct copy of the US Interstate system. It's not just the colours though. The grid system is also the same (low numbered even routes in the south, and low numbered odd routes in the west). The three digit autoroutes are also the same configuration as the US Interstates (A-610 and A-410 in Sherbrooke connect to A-10).

Quote from: MikeTheActuary on December 07, 2017, 09:47:33 AM
Something I've been wondering recently:

In the US, we most frequently refer to interstates as (e.g.) "I-40", albeit with several regional variations.

What is the conversational term for Quebec Autoroutes in Quebecer English?  "Autoroute 40", "A-30", "Highway 15", ...?

Most of the time I've heard "highway" used, especially in the English media. It's a pet peeve of mine. You don't translate names after all  :banghead:

The provincial government's English site uses 'Autoroute' though.

Stephane Dumas

Quote from: SignGeek101 on December 07, 2017, 11:22:34 AM

The provincial government's English site uses 'Autoroute' though.

I remember some old maps who mention "autoroute" term like "Laurentian Autoroute", "North Shore Autoroute". "Eastern Townships Autoroute".

Stephane Dumas

I spotted this archived topographic map of Orford area circa 1969-71 showing the gap of A-55 under construction at that time was originally planned to be numbered PQ-91 as an extension of I-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703473

Stephane Dumas


Stephane Dumas

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 07, 2017, 10:06:53 PM
I spotted this archived topographic map of Orford area circa 1969-71 showing the gap of A-55 under construction at that time was originally planned to be numbered PQ-91 as an extension of I-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703473

It's rare to quote myself, but here another map from 1968 showing PQ-91 or A-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703345

Richard3

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 07, 2017, 07:54:05 PM
Quote from: SignGeek101 on December 07, 2017, 11:22:34 AM

The provincial government's English site uses 'Autoroute' though.

I remember some old maps who mention "autoroute" term like "Laurentian Autoroute", "North Shore Autoroute". "Eastern Townships Autoroute".

Those names were trranslations of the toll highways at the time; "Laurentian Autoroute" was the english rendition of "Autoroute des Laurentides", "North Shore Autoroute" was for "Autoroute de la Rive-Nord", and "Eastern Townships Autoroute" was for "Autoroute des Cantons-de-l'Est".

The word "autoroute" is probably the french form for the spanish "autopista", or the italian "autostrada".

In downtown Montreal, the word "expressway" is commonly used in English.
- How many people are working in here?
- About 20%.

- What Quebec highways and Montreal Canadiens have in common?
- Rebuilding.

States/provinces/territories I didn't went in: AB, AK, AL, BC, HI, KS, LA, MB, MN, MS, MT, ND, NL, NT, NU, RI, SD, SK, WA, WI, YT.  Well, I still have some job to do!

Richard3

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 16, 2017, 08:47:01 AM
An update about Turcot interchange reconstruction. http://montrealgazette.com/news/weekend-traffic-update-avoid-the-turcot-interchange-and-get-used-to-doing-so

I just remember many years ago, when the MTQ said there will be no major closures along the Turcot Interchange rebuilding project, because new structures will be built along the old ones.  At that time, I was saying that there was just real plain bullsh*t because the existing structures, one day or another, will have to disconnect from the old Turcot structures, and to connect to the new ones.  Now, we see the reality.  And the best is yet to come!
- How many people are working in here?
- About 20%.

- What Quebec highways and Montreal Canadiens have in common?
- Rebuilding.

States/provinces/territories I didn't went in: AB, AK, AL, BC, HI, KS, LA, MB, MN, MS, MT, ND, NL, NT, NU, RI, SD, SK, WA, WI, YT.  Well, I still have some job to do!

Alps

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 20, 2017, 04:19:18 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 07, 2017, 10:06:53 PM
I spotted this archived topographic map of Orford area circa 1969-71 showing the gap of A-55 under construction at that time was originally planned to be numbered PQ-91 as an extension of I-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703473

It's rare to quote myself, but here another map from 1968 showing PQ-91 or A-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703345
Before the edicts to restore the French language throughout the province. Look at all those English names.

Richard3

Quote from: Alps on December 20, 2017, 09:46:02 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 20, 2017, 04:19:18 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on December 07, 2017, 10:06:53 PM
I spotted this archived topographic map of Orford area circa 1969-71 showing the gap of A-55 under construction at that time was originally planned to be numbered PQ-91 as an extension of I-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703473

It's rare to quote myself, but here another map from 1968 showing PQ-91 or A-91. http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2703345
Before the edicts to restore the French language throughout the province. Look at all those English names.

In Eastern Townships, there's still a lot of English names.  It's one of the most English-speaking area out of Montreal.
- How many people are working in here?
- About 20%.

- What Quebec highways and Montreal Canadiens have in common?
- Rebuilding.

States/provinces/territories I didn't went in: AB, AK, AL, BC, HI, KS, LA, MB, MN, MS, MT, ND, NL, NT, NU, RI, SD, SK, WA, WI, YT.  Well, I still have some job to do!

Stephane Dumas

I spotted a old article about A-55 (Transquebecoise) in the area of Shawinigan exterpted from a old newspaper clip (Le Nouvelliste, Nov. 28 1970) http://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3199526 on page 4 who mentionned some folks suggested an alignment going south of St-Maurice River to reach PQ-19 (now PQ-155) between St-Georges-de-Champlain and Lac-la-Tortue to head to St-Tite.


Stephane Dumas

Earlier today, a truck hit an overpass on A-40 at Repentigny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWHNXV1C3N8


MikeTheActuary

A19 to be extended from A440 to A640:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/highway-19-quebec-laval-1.4628166

They've been planning to do it for 40 years, but this time they really mean it....?

Henry

It's always irked me that A-35 and I-89 still don't connect; A-15 and I-87 currently connect to each other, as do A-55 and I-91, so why the long wait? And to build 16 km to the border shouldn't take that long, either! By the time the Boston-Montreal freeway link is completed, I'll be approaching retirement age, but in the end, it should be worth it.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

MikeTheActuary

Quote from: Henry on April 26, 2018, 10:27:25 AMIt's always irked me that A-35 and I-89 still don't connect; A-15 and I-87 currently connect to each other, as do A-55 and I-91, so why the long wait?

Limited money, limited need, and limited political clout from the town of Pike River (if they're even bothered by traffic through town).

Would it be nice if the autoroute extended to the border?  Yes...but the existing roadway seems to adequately meet the need, at least based on the traffic volumes I've seen when commuting.

I can think of other transportation projects to spend money on, like getting the customs preclearance centre up and running in Gare Centrale and the Montrealer train service restored.  (The biggest problem with my work trips up to Montréal is finding a hotel near the office, within the corporate expense limit, that has parking.)

(I also wish that they'd have the southbound NEXUS lane open for longer hours at Highgate Springs, but somehow I don't think funding from that would come from either the Canadian federal or Québec national governments.)



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