Highway 115 is part of the Algonquin Trail and concurrent with Highway 35 from its southern terminus in Clarington to Enterprise Hill, where it veers towards Peterborough and Highway 35 continues north into the Kawarthas. It is also part of the Trans-Canada Highway from the interchange with Highway 7 south of Springville, Ontario to the northern terminus of the highway. Highway 115 is a freeway northeast of Enterprise Hill and a Right-in/right-out (RIRO) expressway south of it, featuring short ramps with abrupt right turns to and from the highway. By January 2010, exit numbers were added to the freeway section north of the Highway 35 concurrency.
Route description
Facing southwest along Highway 115; in the distance the median narrows and the route merges with Highway 35
Highway 115 begins at a trumpet interchange with Highway 401, and is concurrent with Highway 35 for 18.9 km (11.7 mi) to Enterprise Hill.[3][4][5] For the length of this concurrency, it is a divided four lane RIRO expressway. Here, Highway 35/115 meets the eastern terminus of Highway 407 at a modified trumpet interchange in Clarington, and at Enterprise Hill, the expressway curves eastward and Highway 35 exits, continuing north towards Lindsay. Highway 115 continues northeast, and the two carriageways diverge, making it a freeway. A depressed grass median, generally 10 metres (33 ft) wide, separates the opposing directions of travel between this point and Peterborough.
Most of the remainder of the highway is straight and surrounded by agricultural lands and forests, until it meets Highway 7. From this point northeastward, Highway 115 is part of the southern Ontario route of the Trans-Canada Highway and concurrent with Highway 7.[3] The freeway continues along the southern edge of Peterborough and ends at Lansdowne Street to the east of the city. Highway 7 continues east towards Ottawa.
Highway 115 was a new highway constructed in the mid-1950s and gradually improved over the following 40 years. Initially, the route was constructed as a two lane connection from Highway 35 near Pontypool to Highway 28 on the outskirts of Peterborough. Because of this, it was known as the Pontypool–Peterborough Road. It was eventually extended to Highway 7 on the east side of Peterborough and later widened to a four-lane expressway in the late 1980s. Since then, improvements have been proposed to extend Highway 115 east to Highway 28, but none have come to fruition.
In 1953, construction began on a two lane road northeastward from Highway 35 south of Pontypool, with the purpose of creating a shorter route between Toronto and Peterborough.[6][7] The Pontypool–Peterborough Road, as it was referred to during construction, was completed and designated as Highway 115 on March 17, 1955,[2][8] ending at an intersection with Highway 28 which became notoriously dangerous.[6]
In 1961, Highway 115 was extended southward to the 401, becoming concurrent with Highway 35. That same year, the new Peterborough By-pass opened, providing a route for Highway 7 around the south side of the city via Monaghan Parkway.[9] Highway 115 was later extended east to connect with the bypass, and the northern terminus became the intersection of Erskine Avenue and Lansdowne Street (the former Highway 7A). The 6.2 kilometres (3.9 mi) extension was opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 25, 1978.[10]
The entire length of the highway south of Highway 7 was widened to four lanes in the 1980s and early 1990s.[11] Later, Highway 115 was rerouted to join Highway 7 on the newly four-laned Peterborough By-pass route. Although Highway 115 currently meets many Ontario freeway design standards northeast of the Highway 35 interchange, there are currently no plans to re-designate this section as a 400-series highway (like Highway 415 or a non-tolled section of Highway 407).
Highway 115 has a few unofficial service areas providing food and fuel for motorists without have to travel off the highway. These target vehicles heading north to Peterborough and south to Highway 401. All have entrances and exits back onto highway.
Esso and Mobil service stations - located next to one another on the southbound side and just north of Noone's. Esso has Country Style donuts within On the Run; Mobil (with Convenience Store) built on site of former Coffee Time location
Noone's Petro Canada & Orono Petro Pass - on southbound side near Concession Road 8 and also has Tim Hortons (with rest rooms) and convenience store
Black Dog Cafe Restaurant and Lounge - northbound at Concession Road 6 with Esso service station (rest rooms for restaurant patrons)
Esso / Petro Canada stations - southbound and northbound respectively at Concession Road 3. Esso has Country Style donuts and Petro Canada located across from Popeye's Chicken (formerly Country Style Donuts store and has restrooms)
^ abOntario Department of Highways (March 31, 1955). "Appendix No. 3C - Schedule of Plans Designating the King's Highways". Annual Report for the Fiscal Year (Report). p. 164.
Highway 401 near Newcastle
Highway 407 in Clarington
Highway 35 near Pontypool
Highway 7A near Cavan
Highway 7 in Peterborough
