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Roads: Ontario/GTA Highways Discussion

Transportfan said:
I didn't know that's what the rocks were for.
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Yeah, they serve as a "natural" catch basin for rainwater.
Notice how the rocks are level with the top of the Jersey barrier at the edge of the highway. (There seems to be an asphalt buffer between the rocks and the barrier.) If there were no drainage system, during a heavy rainstorm, the grassy slopes would become saturated, and ultimately result in streams of water flowing over the edge onto the highway.
Because they are in a constrained space, they can't do the traditional drainage system, gutters on either side. The rocks are likely cheaper/higher-capacity than a full concrete storm drain alternative. I suspect the stones are a couple feet deep, and are graded to channel water towards an outflow.
 
Building those tunnels just to carry Todd Lane and the ramp is completely ridiculous. There aren't even any houses in the immediate area of either of them. Costly nimby-pacifying design taken to the extreme.

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Couple questions about the 401 extension through windsor.

1. Does this extension end up going to nowhere as of right now since the new border crossing bridge hasn't been built yet? Is it easy to get to the ambassador bridge once you get off the extended portion of the highway?

2. Is this extension being built with future widening in mind?
 
1. there are multiple off ramps that interchange with huronchurch road, which is the road leading to the Ambassador Bridge. It's essentially a road to nowhere initially though, yes, especially after the last offramp to huronchurch.

2. The design did not account for a future widening, however, at 6 lanes wide on opening day the road has plenty of additional capacity to deal with growth, AADT levels are far below what is normally required for 6 lanes, yet alone 8.
 
So its official, MTO failed to release a southern ontario highways document for 2014 in the year 2014. I wonder if they will just skip a year and release 2015, or release two documents in close succession.

MTO is moving ahead with the reconstruction of the Davis Drive / Highway 9 interchange with the 400 to allow for the future widening of the highway..


9. Description of Project:
• The staged widening and grading of Highway 400 from a 6-lane cross-section, to accommodate a future 10-lane cross-section that will include a median HOV lane in each direction. An 8-lane cross section including future HOV lanes will be paved but only a 6-lane section with 3 general purpose lanes in each direction will be opened to traffic at completion.

• Reconstruction of the Highway 400 / 9 interchange, including new underpass structure at Highway 9.

• Replacement of the South Canal Road Overpass Structures.

• Expansion of existing commuter parking lot at Highway 9 interchange (173 additional parking spaces).

• Installation of partial, full and parking lot illumination.

• Construction of new drainage facilities, including two new storm water management ponds to accommodate the proposed improvements.

• Realignment of Davis Rd and South Canal Bank Rd in the vicinity of South Canal/Hwy 400.

• Realignment of South Canal under South Canal Bridges within MTO’s ROW; and

• Relocation of affected utilities.

• Environmental protection and mitigation for SARS, Avian and asbestos.

• Engineering fill and pre-loading for highway widening and road re-alignment.


10. Assignment approximate start and completion dates:
Pre-contract engineering phase: N/A
Construction administration phase: (tentative timing) April 2015 to November 2018
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I'm looking forward to a re-construction of the Mapleview Drive exit on Highway 400 in Barrie. That really needs attention. Given the property constraints, a conversion from a diamond interchange to a SPUI makes the most sense there.
 
Transportfan said:
Building those tunnels just to carry Todd Lane and the ramp is completely ridiculous. There aren't even any houses in the immediate area of either of them. Costly nimby-pacifying design taken to the extreme.
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Aren't the tunnels built so that natural areas could be built on top of the highway? This PDF shows greenery, along with trails/paths, parks and recreational facilities that will be built on top of the tunnels.
http://www.partnershipborderstudy.com/pdf/PIOH5_Sketches_HandoutPkg.pdf
 
If there is any interchange which needs some TLC, it is the 400 to 401 west! When you make the sharp turn, you then have less than a kilometer to get up to speed and merge. At the same time, drivers are trying to merge into your lane since it doubles as an exit for Weston Rd!

Bonus: This interchange essentially connects western Canada to the largest city in the country! Well, at least those who can read a map. The signage still directs those headed to downtown Toronto to head east on the 401, but from there they are on their own since the exit for Avenue Rd no longer says that it goes downtown (neither Yonge, Bayview, or even the DVP say that they head downtown from the eastbound 401).
 
Electrify said:
If there is any interchange which needs some TLC, it is the 400 to 401 west! When you make the sharp turn, you then have less than a kilometer to get up to speed and merge. At the same time, drivers are trying to merge into your lane since it doubles as an exit for Weston Rd!

Bonus: This interchange essentially connects western Canada to the largest city in the country! Well, at least those who can read a map. The signage still directs those headed to downtown Toronto to head east on the 401, but from there they are on their own since the exit for Avenue Rd no longer says that it goes downtown (neither Yonge, Bayview, or even the DVP say that they head downtown from the eastbound 401).
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The 400 to 401 west is an improvement from what it was before. The two lanes were forced to merge into one lane still on the curve, and then that one lane would go to Weston Road. Now you can drive both lanes to Weston.

The big problem is the 400 & Black Creek to 401 east. All the lanes from the south and north are forced into merge into one lane eastbound. Almost impossible to get into the express eastbound.
 
Electrify said:
If there is any interchange which needs some TLC, it is the 400 to 401 west! When you make the sharp turn, you then have less than a kilometer to get up to speed and merge. At the same time, drivers are trying to merge into your lane since it doubles as an exit for Weston Rd!
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Agreed; but I'm not sure what could be done here. It is a really tight area. It is a nightmare trying to get over 2-3 lanes there making sure you are out of "Exit only lane" territory. This is my "coming home from Canada's Wonderland" route and I often just take 407 and eat the cost to avoid this interchange!
 
I regularly use the interchange and that exit and haven't had too much trouble through there, personally. Most people seem pretty good about letting merging traffic in.
 
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