does the 417 remind you of the freeway 101 from Matrix Reloaded?

I was zipping thru traffic yesterday and started humming Mona Lisa Overdrive....

just ranting, and keeping this forum active

 

Yeah, I know what you mean -- especially that section around Parkdale, with the sound barriers on both sides. UNTIL you watch the special features on the DVD and see how they constructed the entire freakin thing practically from scratch -- about one and a half miles of pretend freeway so they could totally control every movement of every vehicle. There ain't nothin' pretend about the 417, and too often no one is in control, man.

(I remember the first motorcycle safety course I took after moving to Ottawa years ago, and the instructor referring to the 417 as "Never-Never Land.")

 

Or as 90% of the city drivers would tell you, the 417 is the only way to get anywhere in the city.

My parents came up to visit, found themselves at merivale and hunt club, asked how to get to Kanata, waitress says, go UP merivale to the 417!

OMG! They call me they are heading north on merivale I tell them to turn on baseline, it took them 30 minutes just to get up merivale! Damn some ppl are STOOPID!

 

This is why MEN do not ask directions.

 

Ahhh, the Queensway isn't that bad. Then again I drove against traffic the last 10 years. There are just the few exits that have no merge off lane that can surprise you when the traffic backs up. Now the 401 through Toronto, that's its own personal hell.

Merivale is to be avoided at all costs during rush hour. I drive there all the time and all the strip malls and boony land development really load up Merivale.

 

Yes, the only time I recall ever actually seeing a major fender-bender as it happened was on Merivale. You're right, I'd take the Queensway anytime (well, except rush hour) over many secondaries such as Merivale or Bronson.