ONTARIO — Yesterday, the Ontario government announced its pilot project to increase speed limits to 110 km/h on three sections of 400-series highways in Southern Ontario is getting wide support.
The two-year pilot project is operational on Highway 402 from London to Sarnia (90 km); Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) from St. Catharines/Lincoln to Hamilton (32 km); and Highway 417 from Ottawa/Gloucester to Ontario/Quebec border (102 km). The pilot sites were chosen because they required minimal to no upgrades, had an interchange spacing of three kilometres or greater and could accommodate a 110 km/h speed limit. Increased safety messaging and updated signs ensure motorists are aware of where speed limits change.
“People are telling us loud and clear that they support a safe and moderate increase to speed limits on these highways,” said Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney. “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.”
More than 8,300 people responded to the survey that was launched at the same time as the pilot project in September 2019. The survey results show 80 per cent support for the government’s speed limit pilot and an additional 82 per cent support for an increase to speed limits on more sections of 400-series highways. There are currently six other provinces in Canada that have posted speed limits of 110 km/h or higher on certain highways.
The Ministry of Transportation is also planning to announce the opening of a fourth pilot location in northern Ontario in late spring 2020. Ontario’s highways are among the safest in North America and have ranked the lowest or second lowest in fatality rates among all jurisdictions for 18 consecutive years.
