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[mrsman]

I'm sure I have commented on this before, but I've always liked the convention of using the blue signs over the collector lanes and the green signs over the express lanes. I think it makes more sense than the MUTCD system of using the same color for all guide signs and then mandating extra banners on top of the signs to ensure the dumbest drivers out there understand that a sign over a different carriageway is directed at people on that carriageway.

What are the chances that the MUTCD might one day allow this sort of signage? I too think it's genius, and would love to see it implemented into the manual.

The El Monte Busway along the I-10 freeway east of Los Angeles had signs with white background and black letters.  Originally all the signs had signs like that to distinguish the busway from the regular freeway.  These signs were that way even when HOV-3 drivers were allowed to join.  Now, it seems that there are green signs for everything except for the bus only ramps.

[jakeroot]

I'm sure I have commented on this before, but I've always liked the convention of using the blue signs over the collector lanes and the green signs over the express lanes. I think it makes more sense than the MUTCD system of using the same color for all guide signs and then mandating extra banners on top of the signs to ensure the dumbest drivers out there understand that a sign over a different carriageway is directed at people on that carriageway.

What are the chances that the MUTCD might one day allow this sort of signage? I too think it's genius, and would love to see it implemented into the manual.

The El Monte Busway along the I-10 freeway east of Los Angeles had signs with white background and black letters.  Originally all the signs had signs like that to distinguish the busway from the regular freeway.  These signs were that way even when HOV-3 drivers were allowed to join.  Now, it seems that there are green signs for everything except for the bus only ramps.

Interesting. And that reminds me: Washington, as with other states, signs HOV/HOT lanes with white signs to distinguish between GP and diamond lanes.

But then I-90 with its express lanes uses a smattering of white and green, despite being HOV-only (and in fact, has a couple of black on green HOV signs, a la Caltrans).

[1995hoo]

The HOV lanes—though we didn't call them "HOV" back then—on I-95 (later I-395) in Virginia used to have guide signs with white text on a black background. Similar concept to the signs on 401, just a different color scheme. They were quite faded by the late 1980s and have long since been replaced with mundane old BGSs, though I don't remember when that occurred.

[haljackey]

6-10 laning in Kitchener / Cambridge starts next week

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5664230-highway-401-widening-work-starts-monday-in-cambridge/

[SignGeek101]

6-10 laning in Kitchener / Cambridge starts next week

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5664230-highway-401-widening-work-starts-monday-in-cambridge/

It's amazing how many projects are going on with the 401 right now. Herb Gray Pkwy (which should be open soon), widening in Mississauga, plus the connection between the 401 and the 412 and later 418.

I kind of wish Ontario put more priority on more northern areas, such as the west ward extension of the 417, the 400 extension, and the twinning of the 17 from the Manitoba border to Thunder Bay (which I know the MTO is planning to start in 2018).

Anyway, thanks for sharing. I didn't know about this one. There is another project I look forward to seeing completed!

[cbeach40]

I kind of wish Ontario put more priority on more northern areas, such as the west ward extension of the 417, the 400 extension, and the twinning of the 17 from the Manitoba border to Thunder Bay (which I know the MTO is planning to start in 2018).

Priority is slowly shifting to the south after being disproportionately high in the north for the last several years. The upgrades to Hwy 69 have been plugging along, the Hwy 11 four-laning has been completed to North Bay, Garden River Bypass on 17 is new, and the Thunder Bay to Nipigon section of Hwy 11/17 continues as well. The 417 project is a Southern Ontario program, and continues to be under construction as it stands. And as you said, the widening of Hwy 17 easterly from the Manitoba border is coming very soon (though only to Kenora, not going west of there through the great expanse of nothing that is between there and Thunder Bay).

So overall, the swing is more to the south, but there's still an awful lot going on in the north.

[haljackey]

It's amazing how many projects are going on with the 401 right now. Herb Gray Pkwy (which should be open soon), widening in Mississauga, plus the connection between the 401 and the 412 and later 418.

401 is a long and busy highway. There's always construction on at least one stretch of it at any given time.

[aboges26]

I kind of wish Ontario put more priority on more northern areas, such as the west ward extension of the 417, the 400 extension, and the twinning of the 17 from the Manitoba border to Thunder Bay (which I know the MTO is planning to start in 2018).

Priority is slowly shifting to the south after being disproportionately high in the north for the last several years. The upgrades to Hwy 69 have been plugging along, the Hwy 11 four-laning has been completed to North Bay, Garden River Bypass on 17 is new, and the Thunder Bay to Nipigon section of Hwy 11/17 continues as well. The 417 project is a Southern Ontario program, and continues to be under construction as it stands. And as you said, the widening of Hwy 17 easterly from the Manitoba border is coming very soon (though only to Kenora, not going west of there through the great expanse of nothing that is between there and Thunder Bay).

So overall, the swing is more to the south, but there's still an awful lot going on in the north.

After twinning from the Manitoba border to Kenora, does anyone have any insight as to what would the next segment on Hwy 17, that is separate of Hwy 417 efforts, to be twinned?

[SignGeek101]

I kind of wish Ontario put more priority on more northern areas, such as the west ward extension of the 417, the 400 extension, and the twinning of the 17 from the Manitoba border to Thunder Bay (which I know the MTO is planning to start in 2018).

Priority is slowly shifting to the south after being disproportionately high in the north for the last several years. The upgrades to Hwy 69 have been plugging along, the Hwy 11 four-laning has been completed to North Bay, Garden River Bypass on 17 is new, and the Thunder Bay to Nipigon section of Hwy 11/17 continues as well. The 417 project is a Southern Ontario program, and continues to be under construction as it stands. And as you said, the widening of Hwy 17 easterly from the Manitoba border is coming very soon (though only to Kenora, not going west of there through the great expanse of nothing that is between there and Thunder Bay).

So overall, the swing is more to the south, but there's still an awful lot going on in the north.

After twinning from the Manitoba border to Kenora, does anyone have any insight as to what would the next segment on Hwy 17, that is separate of Hwy 417 efforts, to be twinned?

I would think the MTO would twin the 17 between North Bay and Sudbury, both moderate sized cities. They have a combined population of about 200 000, and a single lane highway (the 17) is the only highway that directly connects them. After that, probably Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie. The 417 would be extended west to North Bay, completing the twinning in that area. Just my thoughts mind you, I don't really know whats going on in the heads of the MTO.

Over the next two or three decades, I think the 17 will be twinned for its entire length, but again, don't quote me on that.

[cbeach40]

After twinning from the Manitoba border to Kenora, does anyone have any insight as to what would the next segment on Hwy 17, that is separate of Hwy 417 efforts, to be twinned?

I would think the MTO would twin the 17 between North Bay and Sudbury, both moderate sized cities. They have a combined population of about 200 000, and a single lane highway (the 17) is the only highway that directly connects them. After that, probably Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie. The 417 would be extended west to North Bay, completing the twinning in that area. Just my thoughts mind you, I don't really know whats going on in the heads of the MTO.

Over the next two or three decades, I think the 17 will be twinned for its entire length, but again, don't quote me on that.

In Northwestern Ontario, the Hwy 11/17 corridor between Nipigon and Thunder Bayis slated to be completed or at least under construction by 2018. The section of Hwy 17 west of Kenora should be under construction by that point as well.

In Northeastern Ontario, there is no immediate plans to widen anywhere along the Hwy 17 corridor, though various studies have been planned for expansion for the whole stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and the Nipissing-Renfrew boundary. Some of those studies were cancelled as they were not deemed critical enough to spend the money on, but the more critical ones have gone ahead.

In terms of timelines in NER, pure speculation but I would expect the areas around North Bay and Sudbury to see upgrades in the 10-30 year time frame (perhaps even as far as Espanola to Mattawa). Maybe in the area around Soo as well. But I would not expect too much beyond that, as west of Espanola the highway is in pretty good shape and there is little to no demand along it.

For Hwy 17 in Southern Ontario, expansion between Renfrew and Arnprior is underway. Conceptually the section between Petawawa and Renfrew is slated for expansion, but no timeline has been set on that. West of Petawawa there are no plans to expand Hwy 17.

[aboges26]

After twinning from the Manitoba border to Kenora, does anyone have any insight as to what would the next segment on Hwy 17, that is separate of Hwy 417 efforts, to be twinned?

I would think the MTO would twin the 17 between North Bay and Sudbury, both moderate sized cities. They have a combined population of about 200 000, and a single lane highway (the 17) is the only highway that directly connects them. After that, probably Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie. The 417 would be extended west to North Bay, completing the twinning in that area. Just my thoughts mind you, I don't really know whats going on in the heads of the MTO.

Over the next two or three decades, I think the 17 will be twinned for its entire length, but again, don't quote me on that.

In Northwestern Ontario, the Hwy 11/17 corridor between Nipigon and Thunder Bayis slated to be completed or at least under construction by 2018. The section of Hwy 17 west of Kenora should be under construction by that point as well.

In Northeastern Ontario, there is no immediate plans to widen anywhere along the Hwy 17 corridor, though various studies have been planned for expansion for the whole stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and the Nipissing-Renfrew boundary. Some of those studies were cancelled as they were not deemed critical enough to spend the money on, but the more critical ones have gone ahead.

In terms of timelines in NER, pure speculation but I would expect the areas around North Bay and Sudbury to see upgrades in the 10-30 year time frame (perhaps even as far as Espanola to Mattawa). Maybe in the area around Soo as well. But I would not expect too much beyond that, as west of Espanola the highway is in pretty good shape and there is little to no demand along it.

For Hwy 17 in Southern Ontario, expansion between Renfrew and Arnprior is underway. Conceptually the section between Petawawa and Renfrew is slated for expansion, but no timeline has been set on that. West of Petawawa there are no plans to expand Hwy 17.

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?

[haljackey]

This thread is for 401. Back on topic...

News regarding Mississauga widening

Highway 401 expansion ignores key design flaws, hurts area businesses
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/highway-401-expansion-ignores-key-design-flaws-hurts-area-businesses-149461/

[SignGeek101]

This thread is for 401. Back on topic...

News regarding Mississauga widening

Highway 401 expansion ignores key design flaws, hurts area businesses
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/highway-401-expansion-ignores-key-design-flaws-hurts-area-businesses-149461/

Uh oh. "Ignores key design flaws" seems pretty serious to me.  Although I think the widening must fix the traffic problems. It doesn't make sense that the widening wouldn't do anything.

[AsphaltPlanet]

It's not a design flaw, and this isn't a new story.  (Though why it keeps getting picked up in news articles is beyond me).

From August, 2014:
http://www.trucknews.com/transportation/small-bump-road/1003059446/

The grade through the Credit River Valley is about 3%, which is well within the range of acceptable grades for modern highways.  It's not surprising the MTO has stopped responding to phone calls and letters.

[SignGeek101]

It's not a design flaw, and this isn't a new story.  (Though why it keeps getting picked up in news articles is beyond me).

From August, 2014:
http://www.trucknews.com/transportation/small-bump-road/1003059446/

The grade through the Credit River Valley is about 3%, which is well within the range of acceptable grades for modern highways.  It's not surprising the MTO has stopped responding to phone calls and letters.

Well, that's good. I hope the MTO widens the 401 all the way to the 407 eventually. Whenever that needs to be done.

[cbeach40]

News regarding Mississauga widening

Highway 401 expansion ignores key design flaws, hurts area businesses
http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/highway-401-expansion-ignores-key-design-flaws-hurts-area-businesses-149461/

 

Well, that's good. I hope the MTO widens the 401 all the way to the 407 eventually. Whenever that needs to be done.

Plan is to have to the Credit River completed by 2018. Further expansion out to RR-25 in Milton has been programmed, but no firm timeline yet.

[SignGeek101]

Plan is to have to the Credit River completed by 2018. Further expansion out to RR-25 in Milton has been programmed, but no firm timeline yet.

That's pretty far. But, I guess eventually it'll have to be done. Population growth and all that.

[haljackey]

Highway 401 extension / Herb Grey Parkway set to open next week

Main thread:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=188722

Story:
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/herb-gray-parkway-only-days-away-from-opening-to-traffic

Some pics:

[SignGeek101]

Highway 401 extension / Herb Grey Parkway set to open next week

Main thread:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=188722

Story:
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/herb-gray-parkway-only-days-away-from-opening-to-traffic

Some pics:

This is exciting news!  I've been checking for updates almost daily now. Great pictures as well.  It's the first time a section of the 401 has been opened since the 60's.

Not a fan of the right sign in the first pic. Waay too crowded IMO.

[SignGeek101]

An opening date is now "this weekend". No exact time, but Sunday is hinted by the Ontario Provincial Police due to traffic patterns.

[haljackey]

Tons of photos via

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=188722&page=29

A lot of pictures are popping up in the local media of this project since it is about to open. I thought I'd share some of them.

source: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/parkway-to-open-new-world-for-windsors-drivers







































The next 3 links are sets of photos showing the border road before construction, during construction (recap) and some of the neighbourhoods that had to be torn down for the parkway

http://windsorite.ca/2015/06/photos-border-road-before-the-parkway/

http://windsorite.ca/2015/06/photos-border-road-neighborhoods-bulldozed/

http://windsorite.ca/2015/06/photos-boarder-road-parkway-construction/


Finally an article talking about the first steps toward building the new bridge are a few days away.

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/business/first-step-toward-building-the-new-bridge-coming-in-next-few-days

[jakeroot]

I find it absolutely fantastic that the MTO builds freeways to their fullest potential right of the gate. Most departments build just one section at a time, perhaps widening when necessary. This way, at least once it's open, most drivers won't have to worry about construction within a few years as traffic grows (though I think traffic counts will remain at manageable levels until the new bridge opens).

[rickmastfan67]

StreetView was just updated in that area back in May '15, so you can get a really good view of the new segments of the 401 from 3 & the E.C. Row.

[rickmastfan67]

Looking at StreetView, here's what I can piece together of what the new exit numbers will be:
WB:
10: ON-3 (original end of 401) (https://youtu.be/x0Eh4q7aSHk?t=2m10s)
7: Todd Lane/ON-3 WB (https://youtu.be/4eSBPVkJpfI?t=5m33s)
5: ON-3 to the Ambassador Bridge https://goo.gl/maps/INIi4
?: Ojibway Parkway (too far away from E.C. Row)

EB:
?: E.C. Row (gore sign not posted yet at time StreetView was there)
6: Todd Lane https://goo.gl/maps/jrKfD
10: ON-3 (original end of 401) (https://youtu.be/328JaFdIgmg?t=9m26s)

Guess this is better than nothing. lol.

[Stephane Dumas]

Looking at StreetView, here's what I can piece together of what the new exit numbers will be:
WB:
?: ON-3 (original end of 401) (no idea, imagery from 2014)
?: Todd Lane (no idea, imagery from 2014)
5: ON-3 to the Ambassador Bridge https://goo.gl/maps/INIi4
?: Ojibway Parkway (too far away from E.C. Row)

EB:
?: E.C. Row (gore sign not posted yet at time StreetView was there)
6: Todd Lane https://goo.gl/maps/jrKfD
?: ON-3 (original end of 401) (no idea, imagery from 2014)

Guess this is better than nothing. lol.

There's also these 2 videos posted on Youtube who might give more clues about the new exit numbers.