BurlOak
Senior Member
As a commuter on the 403-410, this is a solid idea BurlOak. Improvements are also needed on the northbound 403-410 transfer as well.
The current 403-401 EB express ramp should really be reconfigured alongside the current 403-401 EB collector ramp, which would allow for the NB 410 to have a simpler routing from the 403. With the current configuration, EB 403 traffic headed for the 410 has to merge to the right which tends to cause a backup with traffic getting off at Eastgate. The 2 lane transfer doesn't help matters either. HOV lane users sometimes have a hell of a time getting over to the right to get to the 410 as well.
With a simpler, more direct 403-410 transfer, the current 403 HOV lanes would also be continuous with the upcoming 410 HOV lanes.
Having a quick look at this and I have the following solution.
The Collectors become the exit for 401 EB collector, and for 401 WB (the new loop ramp) and continue as the 410 NB collectors (this is definitely still needed so those getting on at Eglinton and Cawthra can access 410 NB as well as 401).
The Express is used as the 410 NB express and also the exit for the 401 EB express.
The Express is a more prominent, so it would have to have 4 lanes from the transfer at Eglinton northwards. Three lanes would continue as the 410 NB express, using essentially the lanes that are now there. To the left would exit 2 lanes for the 401 EB express.
The Collector would have 2 lanes exit right for 401 EB Collector, and then have more 3 lanes continue as the 410 NB collector. These collector lanes would have one lane exit right to 401 WB (new loop).
Getting 3 lanes under the 403 EB express to 401 EB express, and the two 401 WB to 403 SB ramps, is not a problem (where there are currently 2 lanes). It looks like there is about 20m, which could easily hold a 3m left shoulder, 3 x 3.75m lanes, and a 3m right shoulder (still 3m to spare). The east spans of those bridges will have the new 410 NB collector lanes. Those spans are about 18m, enough for full lanes and shoulders.
The only thing is that the 403 HOV lane could not be saved. I thought about exiting left and going under the 401 WB express to 403 WB express, but there is no way to make this sharp turn (blue line). The only way to save the HOV lane would be to exit left from the 403 Express and go over the two 401 WB to 403 WB ramps (other blue line) and under the 401 itself. This would probably be a $30M endeavour.