Ring Road To Nowhere

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by ken0042

^^ Yes HR. That is correct. I specifically asked about that, and he said they can't do the exit from NB Deerfoot onto WB Glenmore until the gravel/concrete plant goes away. (Lafarge I think.)

It will be done in a big flyover ramp long before Lafarge goes away.

Originally Posted by Hulkrogan

By that map am I understanding correctly that the joke which is Northbound Deerfoot to Westbound Glenmore will be left as is?

For now, yes. Perhaps once the ring road is done, or is known what will be done, they will build some of the flyover ramps.

[4X4]

As far as the NB Deerfoot to WB Glenmore goes, looking at that diagram in Ken's post, why can't they just finish the cloverleaf, flyover style? What I mean is, the fourth leaf would go exactly where it belongs, but it would be raised over the portion of Lafarge, and the only intrusion to Lafarge is a big giant pillar in their yard, which I'm sure the city would pay handsomely for (and want to put a big fence around).
That has to be way cheaper than a Crowchild style flyover that would actually go over Deerfoot.

[CrunchBite]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I'm not wishing for that. Another year passing with no construction on Deerfoot means waiting another year for problem spots to be fixed. There's still plenty of spots that could use upgrades before they take a break. (Glenmore and Anderson/Bow Bottom really stick out to me as two places that desperately need stuff done)

Oh I know, that's why only part of me wishes for it. The work needs to be done(or needed to be done years ago).

Would be nice to get an extra lain in the 32nd to 64th area since it's always a cluster now thanks to the barlow closure.

[ken0042]

Are you suggesting a 4 leaf cloverleaf? Do we need to have that discussion again about how bad of an idea that is?

Remember what Glenmore was like when Blackfoot was a 4 leaf clover? That was removed 1/4 of a million people ago from a road that gets 1/2 the volume of Deerfoot.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by 4X4

As far as the NB Deerfoot to WB Glenmore goes, looking at that diagram in Ken's post, why can't they just finish the cloverleaf, flyover style? What I mean is, the fourth leaf would go exactly where it belongs, but it would be raised over the portion of Lafarge, and the only intrusion to Lafarge is a big giant pillar in their yard, which I'm sure the city would pay handsomely for (and want to put a big fence around).
That has to be way cheaper than a Crowchild style flyover that would actually go over Deerfoot.

Full cloverleaf interchanges today can only be done with massive distance (500m+) between the entrance and exit loops. Macleod/Stoney will have this, for example, but it's really not recommended anymore. Parclo A or B is the way of the future!

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Full cloverleaf interchanges today can only be done with massive distance (500m+) between the entrance and exit loops. Macleod/Stoney will have this, for example, but it's really not recommended anymore. Parclo A or B is the way of the future!

Is my theory that drivers are no longer as aggressive and aware as they were 20 years ago the reason behind this?

[4X4]

I think it could work. If the loop basically followed where the normal, at grade loop woud be, except that it's elevated, and then it drops down on the south side of the lane that has already exited off WB Glenmore to SB Deerfoot, thereby eliminating the overlap of traffic, and making both directions completely free flowing. It'd only look like a cloverleaf from the birds eye view.

[Jayems]

OT sorta but does anyone know when 130th ave will open between 52nd and McIvor?

Furthermore, when will 130th link with the ring road?

[psicodude]

The latest information I can find about the entire project is here: http://www.sestproject.ca/wp-content...-July-2011.pdf, and it doesn't even mention 130th at all. My guess is that 130th is not within the scope of the current project, which means there aren't any dollars for it. I would assume that the landfill would need to be closed before 130th extends beyond 52nd as well, wouldn't it?

Hopefully I am just uninformed, but what are the chances of that happening in the next decade?

[Jayems]

Nope, they're in the process of building the road right now. It's going south of the landfill. I'm just curious if anyone knows when it will be open.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I think it could work. If the loop basically followed where the normal, at grade loop woud be, except that it's elevated, and then it drops down on the south side of the lane that has already exited off WB Glenmore to SB Deerfoot, thereby eliminating the overlap of traffic, and making both directions completely free flowing. It'd only look like a cloverleaf from the birds eye view.

WB Glenmore doesn't exit to SB Deerfoot until after it goes under Deerfoot. So for you to have a bird's eye cloverleaf it would still have to be a flyover, and twice as much bridge than something like the 4th ave or Crowchild flyovers.

[CRXguy]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Apparently, the connection to Stoney at 96th Ave in the NE was opened as of 5 am this morning.

Why couldn't they just open 96th from Stoney? I have to do a big loop to get to Stoney now so I could get to Chestermere. But on a positive note, I cut my drive time by 7 minutes with this new section, instead of having to go on Falconridge BLVD/64th Ave/McKnight/Stoney South.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by ken0042

WB Glenmore doesn't exit to SB Deerfoot until after it goes under Deerfoot. So for you to have a bird's eye cloverleaf it would still have to be a flyover, and twice as much bridge than something like the 4th ave or Crowchild flyovers.

The exit lane for WB Glen to SB Deer starts long before going underneath Deerfoot. A slight realignment northward would theoretically give enough space for a second lane adjacent, and south of that lane (essentially sandwiched between WB Glen and the existing exit lane to SB Deer).
If it were to be elevated above the Lafarge yard, and then stay elevated to go overtop of the exit lane to SB Deer, and then swoop in to give a seamless exit to WB Glen without the criss cross of a traditional cloverleaf, it would likely be cheaper, and much less intrusive (construction wise, because it wouldn't actually go overtop of existing Deerfoot Trail).
Looking at that drawing in the link, it looks like there's a grey swath of space there for my dream road.

Of course, I don't really care where it goes, I just want it built. I agree with Hulk... That exit is downright ridiculous. It's almost as ridiculous as the big fockaroo you have to do to get on to WB Bow from NB Crow.

[ken0042]

OK, I see what you mean now. I just don't think it would work. That gap is just too narrow for a lane to come down onto, and you already have a bit of congestion from the Heritage traffic merging on. Add to that Glenmore also squeezes from 3 lanes to 2 lanes.

Trust me- I would like to see something for that intersection. It was a joke 5 years ago before they added the extra kilometre of detour; and is worse now. I just don't want to see something done 1/2 way- as that is part of the problem in this city. We have too many things done 1/2 way.

[4X4]

Staring at it on Google Earth makes me sad. It's pretty much going to require a widening of the bridge over 11th st to get this done properly, or else it'll cause havoc with SB Deer to WB Glen traffic and NB Deer to WB Glen merging at the same time.
I can see two ways to get the NB to WB traffic on the WB with minimal construction (the one I already laid out, and the second one being a piggyback to the NB Deer to EB Glen exit, and then launching a flyover from there, over Glen, and bringing it down exactly where I said in my other post)but having SB to WB and NB to WB merging into a single lane, and then unleashed onto Glenmore right at the bridge, and right before the exit to Blackfoot is going to screw the fudge out of SB Deerfoot, as well as WB Glenmore.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by CRXguy

Why couldn't they just open 96th from Stoney? I have to do a big loop to get to Stoney now so I could get to Chestermere. But on a positive note, I cut my drive time by 7 minutes with this new section, instead of having to go on Falconridge BLVD/64th Ave/McKnight/Stoney South.

Do you mean 68th Street? If so, this is to complete the roads to what will eventually be the permanent solution, which is the complete closure of 68th Street. 60th Street replaces it. I believe that 68th Street will become a bike path, as it has become further south where the road has already been closed.

For people up in Saddlebrook/Saddlecrest, it's further around, but for everyone south of 88th Ave, it's much better, than having to drive through Saddlecrest.

I imagine that 68th Street between 80th and Saddlecrest Blvd will be closed shortly after Saddlebrook Drive is complete all the way south through Saddlestone to 80th Ave. They need to remove 68th street to properly finish the school field, and to connect Saddlemont Blvd through into Saddlestone.

[ken0042]

While not technically part of the ring road yet; the province is hosting an open house to show us the plan for upgrading the MacLeod/22X "interchange."

An open house to provide information and collect input on the Macleod Trail / Stoney Trail Interchange Upgrade is planned for October 26th at Bishop O’Byrne High School (West Common Area), 5:00-8:00 pm

(That school is the one attached to the Shawnessy YMCA.)

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Parclo A or B is the way of the future!

I see your parclo and raise you a stack interchange. The way Eastbound Stoney to Northbound Deerfoot exits is similar to a stack.

I wish. They take a lot of space and construction costs are high but damn are they ever nice where traffic flow is concerned.

[ken0042]

So, this is what they are going with for a design:

Spoiler!

(I appologize for the crudity of the map. I did not have time do paint it or draw it to scale.)

Reasons why they are going with a Clover Leaf:
- It isn't a true Clover Leaf as the MacLeod Trail (MT) portion has it's own side roads for access, so MacLeod stays a free-flow.
- This is somewhat temporary; when/if the SW Ring Road is done there will be further upgrades. This keeps the cost down.
- Traffic patterns. The Province believes that when there is a major flow in 1 direction (ie- EB 22X onto NB MT will be at a different time than SB MT onto EB 22X.)

A few other notes:
- The 2 new bridges are to be constructed to the north of the current bridges. (light green on map.)
- The traffic lights at 6th street stay; will be upgraded as part of SW RR.
- Construction is to (hopefully) start Summer/ Fall 2012 and be done by Fall 2014.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by ken0042

So, this is what they are going with for a design:


Reasons why they are going with a Clover Leaf:
- It isn't a true Clover Leaf as the MacLeod Trail (MT) portion has it's own side roads for access, so MacLeod stays a free-flow.
- This is somewhat temporary; when/if the SW Ring Road is done there will be further upgrades. This keeps the cost down.
- Traffic patterns. The Province believes that when there is a major flow in 1 direction (ie- EB 22X onto NB MT will be at a different time than SB MT onto EB 22X.)

A few other notes:
- The 2 new bridges are to be constructed to the north of the current bridges. (light green on map.)
- The traffic lights at 6th street stay; will be upgraded as part of SW RR.
- Construction is to (hopefully) start Summer/ Fall 2012 and be done by Fall 2014.

Darn.. I had a pipe dream they would create access to southbound macloud from the shopping center on the west side.