Dreambig1
New Member
I am aware of all this. The MTO would likely need to sink money into upgrading all these. However, it SHOULD NOT be ruled out as a future plan
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Roads: Ontario/GTA Highways Discussion
- Thread starter Haljackey
- Start date
Jonathan's Junction
New Member
To my knowledge, there are still 2 RIRO intersections on the northern section of the 400. And for many years, 400/Canal Road.
400/Hidden Glen Road:
This road is the only road that leads to the properties in that area, so if the MTO closed the intersection it would necessitate building ~2km of service roads to get to the next nearest road, so I guess they let it slide in this case to save money. Conceivably if they really wanted to, it is doable.
400/Global Tower Road:
This is some small service road leading to a cell tower, but it is publicly accessible and it is signed on the 400. This road literally goes nowhere, it would be a grand waste of money to grade separate this... Given that there isn't even a turning lane, this in theory makes it the most substandard 'interchange' on the 400 series network.
Either way, while a RIRO is definitely not ideal, I guess the MTO is willing to let it slide in certain circumstances.
urbanclient
Active Member
On-ramps like Canal road, wasn't that grandfathered in? For a new build like 413 or modern conversion to 400-series, this would probably be not allowed.
Jonathan's Junction
New Member
Sure, but the value proposition just isn't there for a lot of it. I think most would agree 11 is pretty much fine as is from Gravenhurst to North Bay. Maybe another interchange or two. But to specifically grade separate the entire thing to call it a 400 series highway doesn't seem all that useful.
Jonathan's Junction
New Member
Highly doubt they would put one in a new build. Although those ones on the 400 were a part of a conversion in the 90s, and probably only allowed because of how remote they are. Definitely the exception and not the rule.
Steve X
Senior Member
To be fair, that section of the 400 was twinned from Hwy 69. The marina and development was already built. To save money, they didn't want to build a service road, further widen the roadway or a new bridge. Otherwise they could have a protected RIRO like the maintenance facility on the 407 at Salem, which is a safer way of having such ramps.
As for the cell tower access, that's once in a blue moon access. That would be totally fine like that.
Westey
Active Member
I don't see why this intersection is that bad. The only thing I would change is to turn the on-ramp into an acceleration lane.
That involves a 5m widening of the road platform from 500m to 1000m, depending on grade. That's a far cry from building a bridge and interchange.
lenaitch
Senior Member
I'm actually surprised they left that one it, but using Crooked Bay Rd. would have required a bridge over a Georgian Bay inlet or a long service road. I guess they are vindicated by the lack of collisions. It is a southbound-only accessible road . The at-grade intersections that can cause problems are where there is access from both directions or cross traffic from an adjacent road. Two on Hwy 11, south of Port Sydney and at Powassan, have been severed.
Normally, service roads to towers, wayside pits, etc. are gated, but there is one cottage that uses Global Tower Rd.
Dreambig1
New Member
With respect to the 400 expansion to Sudbury and the ongoing, albeit never ending it seems, negotiations with the local FN, I don't get why the MTO could not have done the portion from Sudbury bypass TCH 17 and the Estaire Rd interchange, or from highway 559 up to the Shawnanaga FN. It would be at least some progress and better than nothing at all.
Steve X
Senior Member
Seems like everything is able stalling to reduce spending. Commitment started in the early 90s. As the 40 year mark approaches for an intention of a full freeway, we are still no where seeing the remaining gap gets completed. It's kinda sad to see it take so long.
I doubt we'll see some of these projects that had their EAs done years ago like the 35 RIRO to Lindsay or the 17 twinning eastwards from North Bay.
narduch
Senior Member
One more lane bro.
innsertnamehere
Superstar
That photo in itself is over 20 years old at this point lol
ShonTron
Moderator
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A short visit to Sudbury this weekend resulted in slowdowns on Highway 69 between the start of Highway 400 at Hwy 559 and Shawanaga First Nation. The shoulders were all removed, two passing lanes in each direction were closed, and the bridge over the Shawanaga River down to a single lane.
With some blasting going on on the south end of this I was hoping it was work starting on the 400 extension north, but nope, the highway improvements touted will only be a highway reconstruction (it could definitely use it), I guess including bridge rehabilitation, and improvements to the Woods Road intersection.
My guess is this work is going ahead because it will be years before Highway 400 is extended, and it has to be done in the meantime. I’m sure people outside the GTA are thrilled that all the priorities are things like the 413 as opposed to long-planned projects elsewhere.
With some blasting going on on the south end of this I was hoping it was work starting on the 400 extension north, but nope, the highway improvements touted will only be a highway reconstruction (it could definitely use it), I guess including bridge rehabilitation, and improvements to the Woods Road intersection.
My guess is this work is going ahead because it will be years before Highway 400 is extended, and it has to be done in the meantime. I’m sure people outside the GTA are thrilled that all the priorities are things like the 413 as opposed to long-planned projects elsewhere.
Westey
Active Member
Maybe they should call these the 300 series highways.
(MTO did leave that whole category empty for just such an occasion.
).