The Ontario government has decided to keep speed limits of 110 kilometres per hour on some sections of local 400-series highways.
On Monday, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney made an appearance at the Tilbury North ONRoute service centre, to announce that six sections of provincial highways in southern Ontario will maintain the boosted speed limits, that were implemented as part of a pilot project by the province in 2019. Speed limiter devices on large trucks to cap speeds at 105 kilometres per hour will remain in place.
"Our government continues to find new ways to make life easier and more convenient for families and businesses that depend on highways to get where they need to go," said Mulroney. "With road safety top of mind, these sections have been carefully selected based on their ability to accommodate higher speed limits."
Beginning April 22, speed limits will be raised permanently on two southwestern Ontario arteries. Approximately 40 kilometres on Highway 401 between Windsor and Tilbury, and about 90 kilometres along Highway 402 between London and Sarnia, were included in the announcement. Other areas included are in the Greater Toronto Area, the Golden Horseshoe and the Greater Ottawa Area.
"Each section has been carefully chosen based on several factors, including the ability to accommodate higher speed limits," Mulroney explained. "These changes will also align Ontario with six other jurisdictions across Canada that already have a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour and have for decades."
Mulroney added that after receiving such positive feedback, the government will explore the possibility of extending the changes to other sections of 400-series highways in Ontario.
According to reports collected by the province, operating speeds and collision trends within the sections selected during the initial pilot have remained comparable to other similar highway sections where speed limits remained unchanged at 100 kilometres per hour.
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