Ontario to Increase Speed Limits on Key Highways Starting July 12

Starting July 12, drivers on several provincial highways in Ontario will notice a significant change: speed limits will be raised from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on ten additional highway sections in both northern and southern regions.

“Most of Ontario’s highways were originally designed to safely accommodate speed limits of 110 km/h and the data from our changes in 2022 shows they do just that,” stated Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, in a recent news release. “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.”

The changes are part of a broader initiative to modernize Ontario’s transportation network and improve travel efficiency. Here are the specific highway sections where the new speed limits will be implemented:

– Hwy 401 in Tilbury will extend its 110 km/h zone by an additional seven kilometers.
– A stretch of Hwy 401 from Hwy 35/115 to Cobourg, covering approximately 35 kilometers.
– Hwy 401 from Colborne to Belleville, spanning about 44 kilometers.
– The section of Hwy 401 from Belleville to Kingston, approximately 66 kilometers long.
– Hwy 401 from Hwy 16 to the Quebec border, covering about 107 kilometers.
– Hwy 403 from Woodstock to Brantford, about 26 kilometers.
– The portion of Hwy 403 from Brantford to Hamilton, around 14.5 kilometers.
– Hwy 406 from Thorold to Welland, spanning about 13 kilometers.
– Hwy 416 from Hwy 401 to Ottawa, about 70 kilometers.
– Hwy 69 from Sudbury to French River, approximately 60 kilometers.

According to the provincial government, these highways were selected based on their capability to safely support higher speed limits. This decision follows a successful two-year trial that saw permanent increases in speed limits on several highways in southern and northern Ontario.

Ontario joins other provinces like Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan, where the maximum speed limit is also 110 km/h. British Columbia stands out with a maximum limit of 120 km/h.