The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will be expanding its pilot project to increase speed limits to Northern Ontario this spring, giving residents a voice on the roadways they travel most.
In September of 2019, the Ontario government launched a two-year pilot project to increase speed limits to 110 km/h on three sections of 400-series highways in southern Ontario.
It is currently operational on 90 km of Highway 402 from London to Sarnia, 32 km of Queen Elizabeth Way from St. Catharines/ Lincoln to Hamilton, and 102 km of Highway 417 from Ottawa/Gloucester to Ontario/Québec.
More than 8,300 people responded to the public survey launched introduced alongside the project, 80 per cent of which support the change. Of these participants, 82 per cent would support the expansion of the project to more 400-series highways, said MTO in a press release.
"People are telling us loud and clear that they support a safe and moderate increase to speed limits on these highways," said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation.
"The increased speed limit pilot is just one way that our government is improving our transportation network – bringing it in line with other jurisdictions to get people where they need to go when they want to get there."
According to the press release, all pilot locations will be accompanied by increased safety messaging and updated speed limit signs.
Roadways selected for the project would need to have minimal to no upgrades needed, have an interchange of 3 km or greater and be able to accommodate a 110 km/h speed limit.
There are currently six other provinces in Canada that have posted speed limits of 110 km/h or higher on certain highways.
Find more information on the project here.
