The Ontario government yesterday announced it is raising the speed limit permanently from 100 kmh to 110 kmh on 10 additional sections of provincial highways in northern and southern Ontario – including parts of Highway 401.
The change builds on the increase to six sections of provincial highways in 2022 and aligns with posted speed limits in other jurisdictions across Canada. said a statement.
The announced speed limit increase on Highway 401 almost bypasses Durham Region, with a bit of Clarington from Highway 35/115 eastwards being raised.
The statement said starting July 12, 2024, the speed limit will be permanently raised to 110 kmh on most of the following provincial highway sections, with the remainder coming into force before the end of the year:
- Hwy 401, Tilbury, extending the existing 110 km/h zone further east by 7 km
- Hwy 401 from Hwy 35/115 to Cobourg (approximately 35 km)
- Hwy 401 from Colborne to Belleville (approximately 44 km)
- Hwy 401 from Belleville to Kingston (approximately 66 km)
- Hwy 401 from Hwy 16 to Quebec boundary (approximately 107 km)
- Hwy 403 from Woodstock to Brantford (approximately 26 km)
- Hwy 403 from Brantford to Hamilton (approximately 14.5 km)
- Hwy 406 from Thorold to Welland (approximately 13 km)
- Hwy 416 from Hwy 401 to Ottawa (approximately 70 km)
- Hwy 69 from Sudbury to French River (approximately 60 km)
“Most of Ontario’s highways were originally designed to safely accommodate speed limits of 110 kmh and the data from our changes in 2022 shows they do just that,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “These evidence-based increases are a common-sense change to make life more convenient for Ontario drivers while bringing our highway speed limits in line with other Canadian provinces.”
All highway sections were selected based on their ability to safely accommodate higher speed limits. Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have a maximum speed limit of 110 kmh, while in British Columbia, the maximum speed limit is 120 kmh.