Ring Road To Nowhere

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Acey

They're big on following the rules. Sadly for us, the rules aren't very accommodating on providing access for communities.

It is one of the more conservative sets of rules in North America which makes it much more expensive but should lead to better traffic flow 20 years from now. I really like their refusal to compromise on weave lanes. Limit access now or need another ring road sooner.

[Acey]

Yeah. For highways with a design speed of 110 like Stoney, they want really long acceleration and deceleration lanes. Take note of how long the ramps are on Stoney NE, NW and SE, and the new interchanges on Deerfoot at 130 Ave McKenzie Towne Blvd. As Calgarians we're used to our sub-par urban interchanges, so at first glance you look at something like Stoney West and are baffled by the lack of accesses.

There is a solution, called a braided ramp or basketweave... and they've just opened one on northbound Deerfoot between Seton and 22X. But they cost money, so traffic demand for the movement has to warrant it.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Acey

There is a solution, called a braided ramp or basketweave... and they've just opened one on northbound Deerfoot between Seton and 22X. But they cost money, so traffic demand for the movement has to warrant it.

That's gangster.

I'm such a sucker for complex and interesting interchanges. A lot of people look at monster concrete freeways as the devil but I'm the opposite.

[Bill Bumface]

NB Crowchild and Northland/Shag is another example of the above for keeping access open to 2 roads that are too close together.

Shag and 53rd are already showing signs of why weave lanes suck...

[Acey]

Yep, Shag's Crowchild has got a couple basketweaves, and they work well. Deerfoot is ultimately going to need a whole bunch of these, along with significant widening, to fix its problems.

[stampsx2]

I also like the weaves. Once you figure them out i find they work well.

[KelVarnsen]

I hate the southbound Blackfoot on to westbound Glenmore weave with westbound Glenmore and Centre St.

[KelVarnsen]

Speaking of bad on/off ramp designs, does anyone remember the old 16 ave westbound on to Sarcee Trail design?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Speaking of bad on/off ramp designs, does anyone remember the old 16 ave westbound on to Sarcee Trail design?

You can relive its glory at NB 22 and hwy 1.

[stevinder]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I hate the southbound Blackfoot on to westbound Glenmore weave with westbound Glenmore and Centre St.

I'll go out of my way over to 5th St SW to avoid that clusterfarck.

[Madman]

So, how 'bout that SE Ring Road?

Are they still cobbling pieces together to try and get it open?

Any "official" updates?

[Maccalus]

Originally Posted by Madman

So, how 'bout that SE Ring Road?

Are they still cobbling pieces together to try and get it open?

Any "official" updates?

At this point I'm thinking November....2020 in conjunction with the SW ring road.

In all seriousness, I have no clue but it is frustrating to drive through daily.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by Madman

Any "official" updates?

By the end of this week, she (their communications person) told me there will be an updated timeline for traffic availability. In other words, she has no idea.

[You Need a Thneed]

It's really funny to me, that work in the portion that is already "open" is preventing the opening of the portion that is ready to go, but remains closed.

[rain_e]

I'm always going through the 22x/Deerfoot area and I'm just happy progress is being made and the 3 souths lanes are open. The commute home has been nice again.

[Acey]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

It's really funny to me, that work in the portion that is already "open" is preventing the opening of the portion that is ready to go, but remains closed.

I've got a friend who said he has a few co-workers involved... today he told me they were literally begging to open down to 22X for October 1st, but AB Trans pretty much said, "F you... all or nothing with everything built to spec." Dunno if there's any truth to that but it'd support suspicion that they were hauling ass near the end and cutting corners (temp Jersey barriers, etc.) to avoid harming their reputation.

[Resolute 14]

Still an assholish thing for the government to do, though given it's McIvor, unsurprising as well.

I am not certain there is a legitimate reason not to open up down to 22X, but opening up to at least Glenmore would make a large difference since that is a road better designed to handle large traffic flows than the two-lane Peigan extension is.

But area commuters are getting screwed because McIvor wants his photo-op and headline.

[psicodude]

Honestly, it feels like things are actually regressing in several areas. Previously paved areas have had the surface scraped off (I am sure there is a better term for that process), but no new paving has been done. This has resulted in huge backups because of the 2 inch cliff everyone has to slow down to get over. They are finally getting to adding the concrete curbs in many areas which means lane closures, pylons, and flaggers again. And it's not just cosmetic stuff. It's so insanely frustrating.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Still an assholish thing for the government to do, though given it's McIvor, unsurprising as well.

I am not certain there is a legitimate reason not to open up down to 22X, but opening up to at least Glenmore would make a large difference since that is a road better designed to handle large traffic flows than the two-lane Peigan extension is.

But area commuters are getting screwed because McIvor wants his photo-op and headline.

As you said, opening to Glenmore does make sense. However I can see the gov't not wanting to open the rest of the N/S route. That would increase the traffic on areas still under construction. So you would be looking at worker safety as well problems with road closures. For example, WB 22X only has 1 lane open between 52nd and Cranston. (Other than the lanes that exit onto Deerfoot.)

However, is Glenmore ready? Last I heard it still wasn't up to standards.

[Acey]

I'm confused by the Glenmore rumours. The way I see it, if the bridge isn't safe there shouldn't be traffic on it, period. So the rumours about the bridge needing major structural repair are entirely possible, but unlikely.