General Road and Highway Discussion

[danbrotherston]

Looks like a green Amsterdam.

[jamincan]

I suspect it won't be long before Ottawa Street is back to four lanes again east of the expressway. It seems that every time I'm on that stretch, the lane configuration has changed. It does seem, however, that they have finished paving, so I suspect it's a matter of painting lines and they will reopen it fully to traffic until next year when they do the second layer of asphalt.

[Rainrider22]

I suspect it won't be long before Ottawa Street is back to four lanes again east of the expressway. It seems that every time I'm on that stretch, the lane configuration has changed. It does seem, however, that they have finished paving, so I suspect it's a matter of painting lines and they will reopen it fully to traffic until next year when they do the second layer of asphalt.

Yes,  I travel the section every day.  They are very fortunate that the weather remained warm or they would have been left with a disaster on their hands for the winter. I have never seen such a short section of road rehabilitation take so long !!  I was extremely frustrating for anyone who lives in the area...

[rangersfan]

Speaking of the Ottawa St construction Highway 7 to Lackner). I was under the impression that the whole stretch would have an MUT, but I don't see one for the hwy to River Rd section. That being said having bike lanes for this whole stretch will be a significant upgrade.

From the project information sheet:

http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/gettin...nSheet.pdf

/PROJECT SCOPE (WHAT & WHY) The project is scheduled for construction in 2016 and 2017 and includes construction of a new road with cycling lanes, curb and gutters, sidewalks and multi-use trails. Additionally, this project will include underground infrastructure replacement of storm sewer and replacement of a regional trunk watermain from Heritage Drive to Keewatin Avenue. Construction on this project is planned for the spring to fall period of 2016 (Highway 7 Eastbound Ramp to River Road) and 2017 (River Road to Lackner Boulevard and to Keewatin Avenue for watermain only).

[Coke6pk]

I was wondering when the "Lackner to Keewatin" section was going to be done... Guessing next year, as I doubt they will dig up the watermain this month.

They did build a new concrete "island" on the north side of Lackner with what looks like a support for traffic signal post. Not sure why the two posts on the corners don't suffice.

Coke

[Square]

I was wondering when the "Lackner to Keewatin" section was going to be done... Guessing next year, as I doubt they will dig up the watermain this month.  

They did build a new concrete "island" on the north side of Lackner with what looks like a support for traffic signal post.  Not sure why the two posts on the corners don't suffice.

Coke

I'm pretty sure that was done last year.  Also I think they still have to pave the north sidewalk/MUT from Nottingham to the trail near Dreger either this year or next.

Rangersfan :  The MUT is from Old chicopee to Heritage and Nottingham to the trail on the north side near Dreger.

[rangersfan]

I wonder why they didn't just put the MUT all the way, instead of creating little stubs.

[Coke6pk]

I'm 99.9% sure that section WASN'T DONE. I live back there, and I don't remember ANY construction pre-Lackner last year.

Coke

[Square]

Maybe the region changed their mind? I can't believe they will start later, when the final asphalt and all other work is done from Lackner to Franklin.

[Rainrider22]

I'm 99.9% sure that section WASN'T DONE.  I live back there, and I don't remember ANY construction pre-Lackner last year.

Coke

I concur.  I live there too.  The new island work was just installed about four weeks ago,,,

[Square]

I'm 99.9% sure that section WASN'T DONE.  I live back there, and I don't remember ANY construction pre-Lackner last year.

Coke

Sorry bout that.  You were right, the region changed their mind, and it wasn't necessary to change the watermain.  I live closer to River road, so wasn't able to check that area out as much when the construction was going on.

[creative]

They started paving the MUT on the north side of Ottawa from Notingham to Franklin. This will be great as it adds a much needed link between the trails in the area. Sorry no photos as I was driving.

[Canard]

Can I "thread' myself, here?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots of illegal left-turns off Caroline NB onto Erb WB. <a href="https://t.co/RmKumackh3">pic.twitter.com/RmKumackh3</a></p>&mdash; ? Iain Hendry ? (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/939523237788217344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stand here for a few minutes and watch. Motorists oblivious. <a href="https://t.co/sTAqPG80EF">pic.twitter.com/sTAqPG80EF</a></p>&mdash; ? Iain Hendry ? (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/939523421997846528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/WRPSToday?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WRPSToday</a> for sending a car to block the lane! <a href="https://t.co/UolbwwA3WH">pic.twitter.com/UolbwwA3WH</a></p>&mdash; ? Iain Hendry ? (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/939523671286263812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">...and a totally oblivious motorist has just pulled up behind the cop! <a href="https://t.co/fR0XUIceRA">pic.twitter.com/fR0XUIceRA</a></p>&mdash; ? Iain Hendry ? (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/939523977642414081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh, this keeps getting better and better.? <a href="https://t.co/4r6jeGBNgs">pic.twitter.com/4r6jeGBNgs</a></p>&mdash; ? Iain Hendry ? (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/939524399249707010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>

When I rode back past, about an hour later, as I passed through there were two cars waiting to turn left.

They really need to paint the lanes some different colour or something.

[KevinL]

Or a big 'BUS ONLY' on it. Or both.

[Canard]

It has the Diamond "Reserved" symbol in it, but I suppose white paint in a turn lane is enough for most people to assume it's a turn arrow.

I really think the lane needs to be painted a different, solid colour - but, I don't think we have a single instance of that anywhere else in the Region, so there is no standard.