this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024
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Ontario

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[–] healthetank@lemmy.ca 22 points 2 years ago (5 children)

Why we keep trying to build more highways to alleviate congestion is beyond me.

Its an idea that has been consistently and thoroughly debunked since the 80s. No one who studies traffic has ever suggested highway upsizing to decrease congestion as anything more than a very temporary stop gap. Single or dual occupancy vehicles cannot continue to be the primary way we commute to work in a dense area like Toronto. It simply will not work, full stop. We can fight against the idea, but we're wasting our time and money.

We need high density solutions. TTC line 1 was built in the 50s. Line 2 in the 60s, which comprise 64km of the current 70km in use. Line 3 was added in the 80s, but has been decommissioned due to maintenance costs and poor performance, but even that was only 6km. Why have we barely expanded the system since the city consisted of 30% of the current population?

We used to have more rail lines running throughout the province, mostly privately owned. They have since been discontinued with the advent of trucking. Why have we not reintroduced rail service? Canada as a whole is low population density, but the Niagara-Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor has more than enough people to justify a regular rail line.

The Bradford Bypass and Highway 413 are an estimated 8-10$ billion, on the low end. Combine with his current proposed cuts to transit funding of ~$150 million, and it paints a clear picture of his priorities.

[–] collapse_already@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 years ago

Buying bigger pants will help me lose weight.

Reminder to people to support their local transit and cycling advocacy groups.

[–] n2burns@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 years ago

Why have we barely expanded the system since the city consisted of 30% of the current population?

Unfortunately, we can't do anything about the past. However, the current projects give me hope for the future.

[–] Perspective@c.im 1 points 2 years ago

@healthetank @RandAlThor

Roads are like computers - it doesn't matter how much speed, memory or disk space you have - you'll eventually consume it all as the Operating System bloats and the ability to create massive files increases.

Given that #bigoil needs consumers of their product, I'd be really surprised if the 'we need more roads' #government 'solution' goes away any time soon. 😞

[–] nik282000@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago

Why we keep trying to build more highways to alleviate congestion is beyond me.

Duh, because there are so many cars! - Every city planner in the GTA

[–] NoForwardslashS@sopuli.xyz 14 points 2 years ago

That's a lot of Grand Theft Auto's.

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Does anyone have faith that our governments will have a solution? Will it be as bad elsewhere too?

[–] Soup@lemmy.world 18 points 2 years ago

A Conservative government building a proper metro system? The only things certain in this world are death and trying to make the 401 bigger in a desperate attempt to relieve traffic by inducing more traffic.

[–] n2burns@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

TBF, the GTA is seeing the biggest transit expansion in their history, and by far the biggest expansion in North America. TTC has the Ontario Line, Line 5, and Line 6 under construction. GO Expansion is making huge improvements, from more frequent service to electrification to a lot of smaller projects that will improve travel time and reduce conflicts. Then there's projects outside the core like the LRT projects in Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo.

At the same time, the Ford government seems to want to have it both ways with the 413, cutting tolls, eliminating registration fees, etc.

EDIT: Added some other projects outside the core.

[–] xilliah@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago (4 children)

What's Ontario like for riding a bicycle?

[–] ramjambamalam@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

I get honked at, cut off, yelled at and/or threatened about once per week.

[–] xilliah@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

Wow that's nuts. It would really help to teach children how to drive bicycles maybe, so they are more aware as adults.

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 years ago

Bike infrastructure isn't great. City started having some bike lanes but they aren't all over the place, and a lot of cars and trucks are still disrespecting those lanes.

[–] ThePrivacyPolicy@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Bad enough in my area that I'm surprised our air ambulance helicopters don't have bike racks for how often they're picking up mangled cyclists lately.

[–] xilliah@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago
[–] lps@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

odd, I see there are comments available, but can't see them from lemmy.ml 🤷

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 years ago

It's something in your settings. Language I think? you have to have it unchecked.

[–] John_McMurray@lemmy.ca -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Toronto ain't figured out houses are 45 grand where i live yet, but BC sure did. They're more used to being outside of town though.

[–] RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

45k for a house? are you from 1900? holy where are you? Asking for me. xD

[–] John_McMurray@lemmy.ca 0 points 2 years ago

45 is on the high side, there's some for 20 and thirty out in the county. SW Saskatchewan.