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Author Topic: Alberta's Highways  (Read 16962 times)

AsphaltPlanet

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #25 on: January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM »
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jakeroot

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #26 on: January 25, 2015, 03:12:30 AM »
What's up with the weird bend in the Northeastern section of the Calgary Ring Road (Hwy 201)?
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Concrete Bob

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #27 on: January 25, 2015, 03:58:47 AM »
The odd bend in Stoney Trail (NE) where it goes from east-west to north-south is to accomodate for a future interchange for a future freeway that will head due north of the bend to join on up with QE2 somwhere north of Airdrie. 

When one heads south on Stoney Trail to the point where it turns west along the Marquis of Lorne Trail, there is an "overpowered" interchange leading to 88th Street.  88th Street is expected to be upgraded to a freeway that will extend to Alberta 2 down around Okotoks. 

When these extentions are both built, I would guess that Alberta 2 will be "routed" along the entire north-south stretch, bypassing Calgary's core altogether.
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AsphaltPlanet

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #28 on: January 25, 2015, 10:03:56 AM »
I remember reading years ago, that one day TCH-1 will be re-routed east from Calgary along today's Hwy 22-X and 901.  I've always surmised that that's the reason that exit numbers haven't yet been applied to TCH-1 east of Calgary.
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dmuzika

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #29 on: January 26, 2015, 05:57:52 PM »
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 25, 2015, 10:03:56 AM
I remember reading years ago, that one day TCH-1 will be re-routed east from Calgary along today's Hwy 22-X and 901.  I've always surmised that that's the reason that exit numbers haven't yet been applied to TCH-1 east of Calgary.

Probably.  Although there are only 4 interchanges between Calgary and Medicine Hat (approx 270 km); Chestermere, Hwy 9, and two interchanges serving Brooks.

Personally, I'd like to see Hwy 22X reserved as a feeder to Hwy 201 and see TCH 1 serve the city.  Instead of connecting with Hwy 22X/201 and following the edge of the city, I think TCH 1 would be better served by connecting with Hwy 560 somewhere between Strathmore & Langdon and following Glenmore Trail and Sarcee Trail to reconnect with the exisitng TCH 1 near C.O.P.  Interestingly enough, the province has a plan to convert Hwy 560 to freeway standard between Calgary and Langdon (see http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_7_Calgary_Area/Hwy_560/Recomended_plan.pdf).  It would involve less kms of new highway than expanding Hwy 22X/901 to Gliechen.
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jakeroot

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #30 on: January 26, 2015, 06:03:43 PM »
Quote from: Concrete Bob on January 25, 2015, 03:58:47 AM
The odd bend in Stoney Trail (NE) where it goes from east-west to north-south is to accomodate for a future interchange for a future freeway that will head due north of the bend to join on up with QE2 somwhere north of Airdrie. 

When one heads south on Stoney Trail to the point where it turns west along the Marquis of Lorne Trail, there is an "overpowered" interchange leading to 88th Street.  88th Street is expected to be upgraded to a freeway that will extend to Alberta 2 down around Okotoks. 

When these extentions are both built, I would guess that Alberta 2 will be "routed" along the entire north-south stretch, bypassing Calgary's core altogether.

I'm guessing the future interchange is expected to look similar to the 201/88th Street interchange?
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AsphaltPlanet

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #31 on: January 27, 2015, 09:26:24 AM »
While Glenmore Trail is undoubtedly a way better routing for Hwy 1 than 16th Avenue currently is, looking from Google Maps, Glenmore Trail looks somewhat undersized to be the TCH Routing.  To me, Glenmore looks very much like an urban commuter road, more akin to the Allen Expressway in Toronto than a through truck route like a standard interstate.

I can definitely understand though, why Alberta's DOT would prefer twinning 560 instead of 901 from a cost perspective though.
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dmuzika

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #32 on: January 28, 2015, 01:23:44 AM »
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 27, 2015, 09:26:24 AM
While Glenmore Trail is undoubtedly a way better routing for Hwy 1 than 16th Avenue currently is, looking from Google Maps, Glenmore Trail looks somewhat undersized to be the TCH Routing.  To me, Glenmore looks very much like an urban commuter road, more akin to the Allen Expressway in Toronto than a through truck route like a standard interstate.

I can definitely understand though, why Alberta's DOT would prefer twinning 560 instead of 901 from a cost perspective though.

I agree that Glenmore Trail is not optimal, but you can make the argument that outside of Ontario, few urban Canadian freeways are truly up to interstate standards.  In Alberta, the only ones that qualify would be Deerfoot Trail (AB 2) and the more recently constructed Stoney Trail (AB 201) and Anthony Henday Drive (AB 216).   Yellowhead Trail, TCH 16 through Edmonton, is almost as big of a mess as TCH 1 through Calgary.  Significant sections of Glenmore Trail would have to be upgraded; specifically sections west of Crowchild Trail (which will happen in conjunction with the SW Ring Road) and east of Ogden Road.  The ROW exists and the city has plans to do the freeway upgrades, but as always funding is the issue.  Stoney Trail would still exist to serve as the bypass route.

Glenmore Trail would be an 80 km/h freeway, comparable some of the Autoroutes through Montreal, but is a third the size of Montreal and a fifth the size of Toronto so there wouldn’t be the same traffic challenges.
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7/8

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #33 on: July 29, 2016, 08:37:09 PM »
It sounds like the southwest portion of Calgary's ring road will finally be built :)

http://calgaryherald.com/life/homes/new-homes/s-w-ring-road-to-support-growth-of-new-communities-commercial-hubs

Quote
After years of negotiation and planning, preliminary work on building the southwest ring road from Glenmore Trail to Macleod Trail is finally under way. When completed, the new freeway is expected to have a huge impact on residential and transportation development in southwest Calgary.

With a completion deadline of fall 2021, the 31-kilometre link will include 14 interchanges and cut through the Tsuu T’ina Nation, west of Weaselhead Flats.

Quote
John Hall, co-ordinator for Centre West Planning for the City of Calgary, says the new link will improve access to southeast Calgary, such as the South Health Campus and the industrial areas, and will take pressure off Macleod Trail.

Utility-relocation work began in July, with full construction expected to begin in the fall, pending a final agreement being signed with Mountain View Partners, Lamb says.

Quote
Construction timing for the final piece of the ring-road puzzle, connecting Glenmore and Highway 1, has yet to be determined, Lamb adds.
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- Bring back the pre-Mike Harris King's Highway System!

SignGeek101

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #34 on: July 29, 2016, 09:09:58 PM »
I heard about this.

I was actually going to start a generic 'Western Canada Road Projects' Page. This board only really covers Ontario and Quebec in detail.
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7/8

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #35 on: July 29, 2016, 09:15:19 PM »
Quote from: SignGeek101 on July 29, 2016, 09:09:58 PM
I heard about this.

I was actually going to start a generic 'Western Canada Road Projects' Page. This board only really covers Ontario and Quebec in detail.

I think that would be a great idea, since there doesn't seem to be enough demand for separate province threads. I would like to hear and learn about any projects out west :)
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haljackey

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #36 on: August 14, 2017, 12:31:53 PM »
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srpyyc

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #37 on: October 29, 2017, 01:36:57 PM »
Hi Folks,

Here is a road video I made of Alberta's Highway 40 through the Highwood Pass.  The highway is closed from December 15th to June 15th each year.


Thanks!

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jakeroot

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #38 on: October 29, 2017, 07:07:55 PM »
Quote from: srpyyc on October 29, 2017, 01:36:57 PM
Here is a road video I made of Alberta's Highway 40 through the Highwood Pass.  The highway is closed from December 15th to June 15th each year.

Interesting schedule for closing. Most of the mountain highways in my area are closed by mid November, but reopen again in late April.
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srpyyc

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #39 on: October 30, 2017, 01:07:57 AM »
The annual closure is for wildlife protection rather than just because of the winter conditions.  Indeed, as soon as the snow clears in May, cyclists take to the closed highway in droves to enjoy a vehicle-free ride before the June 15th opening.
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bing101

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #40 on: August 29, 2018, 06:21:57 PM »

Here is a cool roadgeek tour by Western Canada Roads on the TransCanada Highway at Banff.
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dvferyance

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #41 on: March 05, 2019, 01:28:51 PM »
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM
A selected few projects that are proposed in Alberta:

Medicine Hat By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%201%20Medicine%20Hat/bypass%201.pdf

Highway 3 and Hwy 4, Lethbridge By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%203%20Lethbridge/Key_Plan.pdf

Hwy 63 freeway upgrade in Fort McMurray:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Northeast/Freeway_Upgrades_Ft_Mac/Hwy63_FTMcM_freeway_overview.pdf

Hwy 2 Twinning, Peace River:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_1_North_West/Hwy_2_location_Plan.pdf
Trans Canada highway is mostly a freeway as is through Medicine Hat they can't just simply upgrade the remainder to a freeway? Seems a lot cheaper than building a whole new bypass.
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swiz_01

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #42 on: March 06, 2019, 10:30:33 AM »
Quote from: dvferyance on March 05, 2019, 01:28:51 PM
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on January 24, 2015, 03:03:16 PM
A selected few projects that are proposed in Alberta:

Medicine Hat By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%201%20Medicine%20Hat/bypass%201.pdf

Highway 3 and Hwy 4, Lethbridge By-pass:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_8_South/Hwy%203%20Lethbridge/Key_Plan.pdf

Hwy 63 freeway upgrade in Fort McMurray:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Northeast/Freeway_Upgrades_Ft_Mac/Hwy63_FTMcM_freeway_overview.pdf

Hwy 2 Twinning, Peace River:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/projects/assets/Area_1_North_West/Hwy_2_location_Plan.pdf
Trans Canada highway is mostly a freeway as is through Medicine Hat they can't just simply upgrade the remainder to a freeway? Seems a lot cheaper than building a whole new bypass.

The non-freeway stretches through there (3 lights in Redcliff, 2 lights and an unsignalled intersection in Medicine Hat, and numerous unsignalled intersections in Dunmore) are pretty tucked in between some tight frontage roads.  Not to mention the contours of the land coming down and up from the river valley.  It definitely could be done, with some Texas-style frontage roads and ramp combinations, or some SPUIs.

Another source of local controversy about the Med. Hat bypass is that if it does take the shorter route along the southwest side, it would be disturbing prime irrigated farmland.  Where if it went the longer way around, on the northeast side, it would only be going through unirrigated farmland and bald prairie. 

Additionally, Medicine Hat has been stagnating in population and industry for some time now.  So residents feel that if you are trying to attract people and industry to the city, why would you take the highway out to where people cannot see the city?  But hey, that the Alberta Government for you.  Projects like this take ages to happen, if at all.   
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compdude787

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #43 on: March 06, 2019, 07:20:04 PM »
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just upgrade the existing road to freeway than it would be to build a freeway on a new alignment?
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cbeach40

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #44 on: March 08, 2019, 01:29:07 PM »
Quote from: compdude787 on March 06, 2019, 07:20:04 PM
Wouldn't it be cheaper to just upgrade the existing road to freeway than it would be to build a freeway on a new alignment?

Often, depends on how much vertical and horizontal realignment is necessary to bring it to modern freeway standards.

Likely a bypass is being selected in order to separate local and through traffic, rather than just building up once corridor for both.
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Stephane Dumas

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #45 on: June 09, 2019, 11:31:15 AM »
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Great Lakes Roads

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #46 on: July 08, 2019, 07:21:48 PM »

An updated animation of the Calgary Ring Road project from TCH 1 to Highway 8. Noticed anything different?


EDIT: Here is a previous animation of the Ring Road project. As you can see, they removed the culvert and replaced it with a set of bridges for the local road to go underneath it just south of TCH 1 interchange.
At the Highway 8 interchange, they removed the weaving section with traffic exiting to 17th Avenue SW from Highway 201 and replaced it with braided ramps so that Highway 8 traffic can merge directly onto Stoney Trail and not interfere with traffic exiting to 17th Avenue SW.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2019, 11:17:26 PM by Great Lakes Roads »
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AsphaltPlanet

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Re: Alberta's Highways
« Reply #47 on: July 08, 2019, 09:31:43 PM »
what was different that I didn't notice?
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