Crossing part of Canada

[ols1932]

Yesterday (Monday) we crossed Canada from Port Huron, MI to Niagara Falls, NY. It was a delightful trip. Want to know why? The highways (401, 402, and 403 were almost as smooth as glass. They put our highways to shame. There wasn't even one bump in the road; there were no potholes and in the couple places where there was road construction going on the traffic moved unhindered.

Our Federal Transportation people should go up to Canada and find out what they're doing. Whatever it is, it's the right thing. It seems that every one of our highways are under construction and that construction seems to be piecemeal; a piece here then take a break and take a meal, etc. We do nothing but dig out a slab of concrete and then pour the same stuff in the hole, smooth it out so that it leaves a bump and then continue on with more bumps. What that does is leave a lot of potholes.

You hear our people talk about frost heave. Well Canada has the same problem but I didn't see any results of frost heave on their highways.

Orv

[dodge]

Hey Orv,

We are about a week ahead of you in the same direction. We found that road through Canada beautiful and smooth also, and no big billboards on the sides of the road!


Ken

[Tom S.]

Orv, I think the problem was you went through Michigan first. We are the 'Bad Road' capitol of the world. You experience a similar feeling when you drive from Michigan to Ohio. After the first energy crisis in the early 70's, Michigan just seemed to give up on it's infrastructure, especially in the south east area.

Almost forgot - frost heaves aren't a big issue this far 'south'. They don't get bad until you're further north, above the US and several hundred miles north into Canada.

[Jolu]

The other side of Canada heading to Alaska sure is not as well done. I can tell you this for sure after our trip to Alaska this summer.
Joe

[8e3k0]

Orv, Canada is just like the U.S.; it all depends on budget dollars allowed by the transportation infrastructure for original construction,(plus Politics) then later on maint. of the road. We here in Canada have excellent roads in some areas; speciffically in Alberta (because of the Oil), but some of the other Provinces suffer because of the lack of budget dollars. Saskatchewan and Manitoba as an example; have difficulty in maintaining their secondary roads to a point that a lot of the original asphalt has broken up and Maint. end up putting them back to good old gravel!! Travelled through those two provinces this summer and our Monty received the suspension test! We still love those positive comments though from our neighbours.

[Tom S.]

The roads in Southern Ontario are very good as they were repaved a few years ago. Probably has something to do with the population of that area and the high volume of traffic, especially trucks and US tourists. As Joe said, the other end of Canada is not so fortunate.

[Sinterior]

Orv, you will change your mind if you travel West!
As far as the Alaska Hwy comments go, I suggest reading http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/pdf/shakwakprojectbrochure09.pdf to understand why some sections cannot be paved. Take note of "What has been accomplished and what remains to be done, paragraph 4". I get tired of hearing comments such as "The closer to Alaska the highway gets, the less the Canadian government cares about maintaining it". That was not directed at you Jolu.
I don't know how to shorten the link name, but it's very informative.

[BirdingRVer]

quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

Orv, Canada is just like the U.S.; it all depends on budget dollars allowed by the transportation infrastructure for original construction,(plus Politics) then later on maint. of the road. We here in Canada have excellent roads in some areas; speciffically in Alberta (because of the Oil), but some of the other Provinces suffer because of the lack of budget dollars. Saskatchewan and Manitoba as an example; have difficulty in maintaining their secondary roads to a point that a lot of the original asphalt has broken up and Maint. end up putting them back to good old gravel!! Travelled through those two provinces this summer and our Monty received the suspension test! We still love those positive comments though from our neighbours.

Does that mean they have fixed that horrible stretch of highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary?

[klash]

Thanks to our great southern neighbours for your kind comments on roads in Ontario.
We live in B.C. and unfortunately not all roads in Canada are as smooth as silk. Our economy
is hurting also, and politicians always find other things to do with tax payers money, like
to try and support a very expensive universal and free medical system, and of course their
own pay increases.
This summer we drove across the entire continent from WA state to ME and to the Canadian Maritimes, and back, about 8,000 miles in all. We felt that the worst roads in all the states
were in Pennsylvania.
This was our 8th trip around the continent in 16 years, we have done 6 counter clock wise
and two clock wise, 10 provinces, 39 states and about 250,000 miles. I hope we live long
enough to do a couple of more trips. I spent 36 years in the Canadian Navy, saw lots of
the world, but now I think we live on the best continent in the world, so we can see all
the wonders of North America, and not get tired of it.