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12-14-2006, 06:11 AM
More HOV Lanes Planned For 400-Series Highways
December 13, 2006
Source:toronto.ctv.ca
More high-occupancy vehicle lanes are being planned by the Ontario government for busy 400-series highways.
Early in 2007 more so-called HOV lanes are expected to be zipping commuters to their destinations, without taking away existing highway lanes.
"The 400-series is primarily where we're going to look at the expansion because it makes sense," Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said.
"When you look at the greater Toronto study area, we are as far north as, I think, Newmarket now. So we're looking to expand that study area."
Cansfield did hint at a multi-year effort to add HOV lanes on Highway 400, along the entire Barrie-Toronto stretch. Major development projects in Barrie, Innisfil, East Gwillimbury and Bradford areas mean 33 per cent population growth by 2025, according to Cansfield.
Set to be completed in 2007 are HOV lanes on Hwy. 404 northbound from Hwy 401 to Hwy. 7. Another 16 kilometres of the carpool lanes will be added to the QEW in the Oakville to Burlington corridor.
But the notoriously big and busy Hwy. 401 is not slated for HOV lanes.
"Some people say, 'Why not on Hwy. 401? It's the busiest highway in North America.' The reason is we've run out of real estate there," OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley said.
"The 401 is only busy because it is being fed by traffic from other highways and if we can reduce the number of cars getting onto those highways, it is having a benefit on 401."
Ontario introduced HOV lanes exactly one year ago today. Designed to promote carpooling, to use the lanes a motorist must have at least two people inside their vehicle.
The transportation ministry says the lanes are saving time for motorists during their daily commute. Officials point to Hwy. 404 southbound saying drivers using the HOV lanes save an average of 14 minutes per trip. Southbound drivers not using the HOV lanes are also saving time; an average of nine minutes per trip.
December 13, 2006
Source:toronto.ctv.ca
More high-occupancy vehicle lanes are being planned by the Ontario government for busy 400-series highways.
Early in 2007 more so-called HOV lanes are expected to be zipping commuters to their destinations, without taking away existing highway lanes.
"The 400-series is primarily where we're going to look at the expansion because it makes sense," Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said.
"When you look at the greater Toronto study area, we are as far north as, I think, Newmarket now. So we're looking to expand that study area."
Cansfield did hint at a multi-year effort to add HOV lanes on Highway 400, along the entire Barrie-Toronto stretch. Major development projects in Barrie, Innisfil, East Gwillimbury and Bradford areas mean 33 per cent population growth by 2025, according to Cansfield.
Set to be completed in 2007 are HOV lanes on Hwy. 404 northbound from Hwy 401 to Hwy. 7. Another 16 kilometres of the carpool lanes will be added to the QEW in the Oakville to Burlington corridor.
But the notoriously big and busy Hwy. 401 is not slated for HOV lanes.
"Some people say, 'Why not on Hwy. 401? It's the busiest highway in North America.' The reason is we've run out of real estate there," OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley said.
"The 401 is only busy because it is being fed by traffic from other highways and if we can reduce the number of cars getting onto those highways, it is having a benefit on 401."
Ontario introduced HOV lanes exactly one year ago today. Designed to promote carpooling, to use the lanes a motorist must have at least two people inside their vehicle.
The transportation ministry says the lanes are saving time for motorists during their daily commute. Officials point to Hwy. 404 southbound saying drivers using the HOV lanes save an average of 14 minutes per trip. Southbound drivers not using the HOV lanes are also saving time; an average of nine minutes per trip.
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