I do wonder how much a fully built Line 5 from YYZ to Kennedy; a Line 4 from Sheppard West to McCowan; and a Line 7 from Kennedy to Malvern could change things on the 401. Probably somewhat, but I also think GO could be a bigger factor, potentially with bus lanes/stations and a Midtown train corridor as well.
When the Turcotte interchange here in Montreal was rebuilt, bus lanes separate from the regular traffic were built in the median; this worked as it is mostly for buses that go many kms just to get to Lionel-Groulx metro station. The path even includes a bus only overpass to get from the center to the Atwater exit. This could be done because the whole area was being rebuilt; I suppose if a large section of the 401 was rebuilt it would be a nightmare during the rebuild, but could include many of the suggestions you've provided. Closer to where I live on the west island, there are many tunnels under hwy 20 that have been there for generations, however to cross hwy 40 it is only the min required sidewalk on a few stroads that cross over. With the REM station at Fairview it has been announced a new pedestrian overpass will be put near where the REM station is, so that is good.
Great article Reece! I’m really glad to see a more nuanced take other than “all highways are bad”. I really like the ideas you laid out, since they are mostly low cost and high value. I take the 401 most days and would happily take the GO bus more often if it meant bypassing traffic. However, I feel like the biggest need is for suburban rail that doesn’t just connect to Union. With so many jobs and people living in North York, Midtown, Mississauga, and York Region, the only really option is to drive for the vast majority of these trips or take a bus that sit through the same traffic. I would love to see a video or another article on how thing we could build better transit solutions (ex rail)to connect these areas.
Definitely! It's not realistic for everyone to make the switch to transit with a finger snap, so improving it and adapting our existing infrastructure is the way to go!
Oh and personally my experience in metrobus stations was way better than in BART highway stations. Probably since the Metrobus is on E-5, a slower urban expressway. And the fact that you only really wait like two minutes as opposed to 15
I do wonder how much a fully built Line 5 from YYZ to Kennedy; a Line 4 from Sheppard West to McCowan; and a Line 7 from Kennedy to Malvern could change things on the 401. Probably somewhat, but I also think GO could be a bigger factor, potentially with bus lanes/stations and a Midtown train corridor as well.
When the Turcotte interchange here in Montreal was rebuilt, bus lanes separate from the regular traffic were built in the median; this worked as it is mostly for buses that go many kms just to get to Lionel-Groulx metro station. The path even includes a bus only overpass to get from the center to the Atwater exit. This could be done because the whole area was being rebuilt; I suppose if a large section of the 401 was rebuilt it would be a nightmare during the rebuild, but could include many of the suggestions you've provided. Closer to where I live on the west island, there are many tunnels under hwy 20 that have been there for generations, however to cross hwy 40 it is only the min required sidewalk on a few stroads that cross over. With the REM station at Fairview it has been announced a new pedestrian overpass will be put near where the REM station is, so that is good.
Great article Reece! I’m really glad to see a more nuanced take other than “all highways are bad”. I really like the ideas you laid out, since they are mostly low cost and high value. I take the 401 most days and would happily take the GO bus more often if it meant bypassing traffic. However, I feel like the biggest need is for suburban rail that doesn’t just connect to Union. With so many jobs and people living in North York, Midtown, Mississauga, and York Region, the only really option is to drive for the vast majority of these trips or take a bus that sit through the same traffic. I would love to see a video or another article on how thing we could build better transit solutions (ex rail)to connect these areas.
Definitely! It's not realistic for everyone to make the switch to transit with a finger snap, so improving it and adapting our existing infrastructure is the way to go!
Thanks for the credit Reece 👍🏻
Oh and personally my experience in metrobus stations was way better than in BART highway stations. Probably since the Metrobus is on E-5, a slower urban expressway. And the fact that you only really wait like two minutes as opposed to 15
But, but, what about "Just one more lane, Bro!", it always works(!)
Just one more lane (but make it a bus lane)
Add a bike lane while you're at it.