waterloowarrior
Senior Member
Major expansion proposed for Highway 401
December 01, 2009
BY BRENT DAVIS, RECORD STAFF
WATERLOO REGION — Highway 401 through Waterloo Region and Wellington County could look quite different if expansion proposals are adopted.
Picture an artery that’s between eight and 12 lanes wide, with a core and collector segment in the Highway 6 corridor and rebuilt overpasses from Hespeler Road to the Halton Region line.
It’s all part of a series of improvements proposed for a 26-kilometre stretch of the 401. Studies have determined the existing six-lane highway is quickly approaching its capacity.
Traffic forecasts predict that eight lanes will be required by 2016, with 10 lanes needed by 2031. And that’s taking into account the reduction in vehicles expected to accompany long-term GO Transit expansion.
“A diversion to transit slows your growth rate but doesn’t stop it,†said Ministry of Transportation project engineer Dan Leake.
High-occupancy vehicle lanes are also being considered to encourage carpooling.
The first of two public information sessions on 401 improvements was held Tuesday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cambridge. The second takes place Thursday between 4 and 8 p.m. at the Puslinch Community Centre.
Specific project timelines or cost estimates haven’t been established yet.
“The construction of any large-scale project like this is always contingent on available funding,†Leake said.
The only existing overpass that can accommodate an expansion to 10 lanes is Townline Road, meaning all others would have to be rebuilt.
The ministry replaces any existing sidewalks or bicycle lanes when it rebuilds an overpass, Leake said. Any new sidewalks or bicycle lanes would have to be funded by the municipality.
The ministry is aware that Cambridge and Waterloo Region are reviewing crossing options for pedestrians and cyclists between Franklin Boulevard and Hespeler Road.
The issue returned to the headlines in October when a cyclist was killed near the Franklin Boulevard exit ramp.
The 401 expansion plans include a 12-lane core and collector stretch between Highway 6 north and south that would accommodate a bypassed Highway 6 around the village of Morriston, south of the 401.
“It will be there when we come along to do our project,†Leake said.
Once a preferred plan is selected, a second round of public information sessions will be held, likely next summer. From there, the public will have the chance to review a transportation study report before the project shifts into the property acquisition and detailed design phases.
Anyone interested in submitting comments or questions can do so until Jan. 8 at www.highway401-hespeler-halton.ca
bdavis@therecord.com
December 01, 2009
BY BRENT DAVIS, RECORD STAFF
WATERLOO REGION — Highway 401 through Waterloo Region and Wellington County could look quite different if expansion proposals are adopted.
Picture an artery that’s between eight and 12 lanes wide, with a core and collector segment in the Highway 6 corridor and rebuilt overpasses from Hespeler Road to the Halton Region line.
It’s all part of a series of improvements proposed for a 26-kilometre stretch of the 401. Studies have determined the existing six-lane highway is quickly approaching its capacity.
Traffic forecasts predict that eight lanes will be required by 2016, with 10 lanes needed by 2031. And that’s taking into account the reduction in vehicles expected to accompany long-term GO Transit expansion.
“A diversion to transit slows your growth rate but doesn’t stop it,†said Ministry of Transportation project engineer Dan Leake.
High-occupancy vehicle lanes are also being considered to encourage carpooling.
The first of two public information sessions on 401 improvements was held Tuesday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cambridge. The second takes place Thursday between 4 and 8 p.m. at the Puslinch Community Centre.
Specific project timelines or cost estimates haven’t been established yet.
“The construction of any large-scale project like this is always contingent on available funding,†Leake said.
The only existing overpass that can accommodate an expansion to 10 lanes is Townline Road, meaning all others would have to be rebuilt.
The ministry replaces any existing sidewalks or bicycle lanes when it rebuilds an overpass, Leake said. Any new sidewalks or bicycle lanes would have to be funded by the municipality.
The ministry is aware that Cambridge and Waterloo Region are reviewing crossing options for pedestrians and cyclists between Franklin Boulevard and Hespeler Road.
The issue returned to the headlines in October when a cyclist was killed near the Franklin Boulevard exit ramp.
The 401 expansion plans include a 12-lane core and collector stretch between Highway 6 north and south that would accommodate a bypassed Highway 6 around the village of Morriston, south of the 401.
“It will be there when we come along to do our project,†Leake said.
Once a preferred plan is selected, a second round of public information sessions will be held, likely next summer. From there, the public will have the chance to review a transportation study report before the project shifts into the property acquisition and detailed design phases.
Anyone interested in submitting comments or questions can do so until Jan. 8 at www.highway401-hespeler-halton.ca
bdavis@therecord.com