Roads: 403/401/410 Interchange (MTO)

[Dan416]

It is a bit odd having GPS show QEW and 403 cosigned. I don't think there's any physical signage showing that.

 

[Steve X]

Indeed. I don't think anyone really understands why MTO didn't simply renumber the entire Mississauga section of 403 to 410 after they (finally) connected the two expressways. That would have solved the geeky need to overlap 403 and QEW from near Ford Drive to the 407 interchange in Burlington.

MTO concluded that it would cause too much confusion back in 2002. 403 in Mississauga goes E-W oppose to 410 which is N-S. All the maps would be incorrect plus they would have to replace a lot of signs. Thus they decided to co-sign it with QEW.

Originally 403 was planned to take the alignment from the western terminal of 407 to 403/407. The high flying ramp at 403/407 interchange along with the left exit to 407 hinted the original intent. Maybe they should just designated that section of 407 as 403 as originally planned and still toll it. 407 would be assigned to the current 403 from the 407/403 interchange to where 403 meets QEW which that would be the western terminal of 407. 403 would tern be one continuous highway without any co-signed sections.

It is a bit odd having GPS show QEW and 403 cosigned. I don't think there's any physical signage showing that.

Yes signs do indicate they are co-signed.

 

[innsertnamehere]

The problem is the 407 around Oakville and Burlington wasn't planned to be a tolled portion of the 407 - Harris threw it in with the rest of the highway when he sold it off (well, specifically, he had 407ETR build it on the condition of sale). The 407 was to end at the 403 interchange in Mississauga - with the part around Oakville and Burlington to be built later as a free, public highway.

In a way it's a shame that it didn't happen that way since we have the odd co-signing of the QEW now, and traffic on the QEW through Halton would likely have been a lot lighter today.. but it is nice to have that reliable traffic free (and damn fast) alternative.

 

[nfitz]

Yes signs do indicate they are co-signed.

They are indeed. Though there seems to be less and less shields along the highway itself anywhere showing the route number.

But I think they changed them all years ago they changed it.

Here's one westbound on QEW/403 just entering Burlington. If you look in Streetview, the signage has been there since at least 2011.

 

[Transportfan]

MTO concluded that it would cause too much confusion back in 2002. 403 in Mississauga goes E-W oppose to 410 which is N-S. All the maps would be incorrect plus they would have to replace a lot of signs. Thus they decided to co-sign it with QEW.

They should have gave the Mississauga portion of the 403 a new highway number, as it doesn't really relate to the Woodstock-Hamilton section, and it certainly isn't a good 401-to-401 loop following the congested QEW.

 

[ShonTron]

They are indeed. Though there seems to be less and less shields along the highway itself anywhere showing the route number.

And the green freeway entrance signs approaching the interchanges in Burlington and Oakville all say "QEW 403 Hamilton" or "QEW 403 Toronto."

 

[Dan416]

So this morning I noticed they repaved the 401 East to 410 North ramp. That happened quickly because it was crap when I drove it on Friday and it's magically all newly paved now.

Anyway, looks like a lot more progress has been maded on the 401 East to 403 West ramp; it looks nearly ready to open, just needs some overhead signage to my eye. But it probably won't open for another few weeks.

 

[Tim MacDonald]

So this morning I noticed they repaved the 401 East to 410 North ramp. That happened quickly because it was crap when I drove it on Friday and it's magically all newly paved now.

Anyway, looks like a lot more progress has been maded on the 401 East to 403 West ramp; it looks nearly ready to open, just needs some overhead signage to my eye. But it probably won't open for another few weeks.

Yes, I saw them paving it Sunday afternoon.

 

[JasonParis]

They should have gave the Mississauga portion of the 403 a new highway number, as it doesn't really relate to the Woodstock-Hamilton section, and it certainly isn't a good 401-to-401 loop following the congested QEW.

I tend to agree. I'd also remove the co-branding of the QEW/403 to just QEW east of the Burlington interchange too.

 

[nfitz]

They should have gave the Mississauga portion of the 403 a new highway number, as it doesn't really relate to the Woodstock-Hamilton section, and it certainly isn't a good 401-to-401 loop following the congested QEW.

I think they could simply call the Mississauga piece 410.

Not sure why it needs two number now it's joined together and forms a single expressway. And then the co-branding/co-signing isn't necessary!

 

[Transportfan]

I tend to agree. I'd also remove the co-branding of the QEW/403 to just QEW east of the Burlington interchange too.

That would be a given if renumbered, I'd assume.

 

[Dan416]

401 East to 403 West signage up just before and at the shared 410 N / 403 W ramp. No pics sorry. The signs are blue though. I believe they went up on Sunday night.

 

[drum118]

401 East to 403 West signage up just before and at the shared 410 N / 403 W ramp. No pics sorry. The signs are blue though. I believe they went up on Sunday night.

Droved by the interchange last week and ready to open once the signs went up. This was in both direction on 401 & 410

 

[Dan416]

Now with pics:

 

[KevinT]

So the new ramps are open then? I'd expect the signs to be erected but covered if the ramps were still closed...