General Road and Highway Discussion

[jamincan]

I hate the Google Maps feature that points out speed traps for that very reason, and also for the fact that it pops up, distracting people from their driving to ask if the speed trap is still there.

[danbrotherston]

I hate the Google Maps feature that points out speed traps for that very reason, and also for the fact that it pops up, distracting people from their driving to ask if the speed trap is still there.

Yeah, frankly, it should be illegal. Except, again, the intention of many legislators is to reduce the effectiveness of enforcement.

[robdrimmie]

the intention of many legislators is to reduce the effectiveness of enforcement.

Do you have a good reference to catch me up on why they're doing it? I'm interested in learning more.

(This is not an expression of disbelief, I'm hoping to reduce my ignorance.)

[danbrotherston]

the intention of many legislators is to reduce the effectiveness of enforcement.

Do you have a good reference to catch me up on why they're doing it? I'm interested in learning more.

(This is not an expression of disbelief, I'm hoping to reduce my ignorance.)

I've observed this at several levels, most obviously, the province is requiring extensive advance warning of radar speed traps, and signage around red light cameras. I've also seen other warnings of speed enforcement on highways.

At other levels, municipal enforcement of road rules is very lax, just look at the cost of a parking ticket vs. an fare evasion ticket. This is harder to show intention, but it still shows a pattern.

[Coke6pk]

When I drove to work this morning the OPP had four cars on the side of the highway eastbound.  It was clear to me they were going to have an officer on an overpass doing the lazer then calling the vehicle out.   I think now that the traffic is light, they will step up enforcement.

When did you go to work? For me at around 7:30 there were three police cars spaced out on the side of the EB 401, all with their lights on. It definitely didn't seem like the usual setup they have for catching speeders.

I passed by around 6:20 / 6:30, and it was as you described. 

I thought that maybe they were waiting for an oversize load or some other type of escort.  Then the conspiracy theory side of me thought they were training/preparing for checkpoints under the Emergencies Act.

Coke

[Rainrider22]

Yes Coke !!!! Re the conspiracy theory They most like were paid duties waiting to take over a load escort

[jamincan]

I've heard of the MTO using permanently installed sprayers on some bridge structures to automatically deice them, however, I saw it in operation for the first time this morning on the ramp from Hwy 8 to the 401. Just as I was going onto the bridge, a bunch of jets of fluid started spraying from the edge of the road. Does anyone know if they have them elsewhere in the region as well?

[tomh009]

Stirling Ave reconstruction (Highland to Courtland?) has started. Is there any reconfiguration being done as part of this, or are they just going to repave it as is?

[Rainrider22]

I've heard of the MTO using permanently installed sprayers on some bridge structures to automatically deice them, however, I saw it in operation for the first time this morning on the ramp from Hwy 8 to the 401. Just as I was going onto the bridge, a bunch of jets of fluid started spraying from the edge of the road. Does anyone know if they have them elsewhere in the region as well?

The fly over from hwy 7 onto hwy 8 has them as well.

[Acitta]

Stirling Ave reconstruction (Highland to Courtland?) has started. Is there any reconfiguration being done as part of this, or are they just going to repave it as is?

I believe that at Highland they are only doing as far as Russel to finish up the work that they did last year from the other side of Highland. From Russel to Mill looks like it was done a few years ago, but I don't know for sure. I moved to Stirling in January of last year. The road closure page on the City of Kitchener's website says that the work is ongoing to July 31. As for Mill to Courtland, they have been repairing curbs and sidewalks and I presume that they are just going to do much needed repaving.

[jeffster]

Stirling Ave reconstruction (Highland to Courtland?) has started. Is there any reconfiguration being done as part of this, or are they just going to repave it as is?

I believe that at Highland they are only doing as far as Russel to finish up the work that they did last year from the other side of Highland. From Russel to Mill looks like it was done a few years ago, but I don't know for sure. I moved to Stirling in January of last year. The road closure page on the City of Kitchener's website says that the work is ongoing to July 31. As for Mill to Courtland, they have been repairing curbs and sidewalks and I presume that they are just going to do much needed repaving.

Yes, I do recall the work from Mill to Russel on Stirling a few years back. They're just finishing up some stuff.

I think in 2021 it will be Homer Watson to Greenbrook on Stirling, then Greenbrook to Southmoor in 2022 and Southmoor to Avalon in 2023.

[danbrotherston]

Stirling Ave reconstruction (Highland to Courtland?) has started. Is there any reconfiguration being done as part of this, or are they just going to repave it as is?

I believe that at Highland they are only doing as far as Russel to finish up the work that they did last year from the other side of Highland. From Russel to Mill looks like it was done a few years ago, but I don't know for sure. I moved to Stirling in January of last year. The road closure page on the City of Kitchener's website says that the work is ongoing to July 31. As for Mill to Courtland, they have been repairing curbs and sidewalks and I presume that they are just going to do much needed repaving.

I believe this is correct, but I believe there are plans to re-stripe the road for bike lanes this year, along with centre turn lanes.

[tomh009]

Restriping at the time of repaving is good. I really hate lane restriping afterward as the old lines are often still quite visible and have potential to cause confusion, especially in the rain.

[danbrotherston]

Restriping at the time of repaving is good. I really hate lane restriping afterward as the old lines are often still quite visible and have potential to cause confusion, especially in the rain.

They certainly can do a better or worse job of it, but the entire road is not being repaved, I don't see that as a valid reason to make cyclists wait for good infrastructure.

[tomh009]

Sorry, I meant that restriping at the time of repaving is better than restriping later. Didn't mean to imply that it's as good as properly separated bicycle lanes.