The Ontario government has announced it is raising the speed limit permanently from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on 10 additional sections of provincial highways in northern and southern Ontario.
In 2022, the province raised the speed limit on six other sections.
“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,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated in a 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," Sarkaria added.
Starting July 12, 2024, the speed limit will be permanently raised to 110 km/h on most of the following provincial highway sections, with the remainder coming into force before the end of the year:
- Highway 401, Tilbury, extending the existing 110 km/h zone further east by seven kilometres
- Highway 401 from Highway 35/115 to Cobourg (approximately 35 kilometres)
- Highway 401 from Colborne to Belleville (approximately 44 kilometres)
- Highway 401 from Belleville to Kingston (approximately 66 kilometres)
- Highway 401 from Highway 16 to Quebec boundary (approximately 107 kilometres)
- Highway 403 from Woodstock to Brantford (approximately 26 kilometres)
- Highway 403 from Brantford to Hamilton (approximately 14.5 kilometres)
- Highway 406 from Thorold to Welland (approximately 13 kilometres)
- Highway 416 from Highway 401 to Ottawa (approximately 70 kilometres)
- Highway 69 from Sudbury to French River (approximately 60 kilometres)
The province says the sections of highway that were chosen was 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 km/h, while in British Columbia the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h.
In 2022, the government permanently increased the speed limit on six sections of provincial highways in southern Ontario as well as two sections in northern Ontario on a two-year trial basis.
Until 1975, highways 400, 401, 417 and the Queen Elizabeth Way were posted at 113 km/h before being reduced due to the energy crisis, according to the provincial release.
Stunt-driving penalties will still apply at 150 km/h. On the highway sections with increased speed limits, stunt-driving charges can be laid at 40 km/h over the posted speed limit.
