Decreased travel times and improved efficiency are the perceived benefits as the Ontario government is raising the speed limit on 938 kilometres of the province's highways.
The move aims to improve transportation efficiency across Ontario, with King City Mayor Steve Pellegrini welcoming the province's continued investment in this area.
Expanding the 110 km/h speed limit to additional highway sections will help people and goods move more efficiently, he said, adding that initiatives like this will reduce travel times, strengthen economic connections, and support a modern transportation network that meets the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
The speed limit increases will begin taking effect incrementally from Friday until September 30, with sections of highways 401 and 416 in Eastern Ontario the first to see the change, followed by sections of the Queen Elizabeth Way and highways 400, 401, 402, 403, 416, and 417.
The province's transportation network will see nearly 89% of its highway network with a posted speed limit of 110 km/h once the changes are implemented.
Speed limit increases are only implemented on highways that have been designed and engineered to safely accommodate higher speeds, following rigorous technical reviews and any necessary infrastructure improvements.
Most of Ontario's freeway network was originally designed to safely accommodate a posted speed of 110 km/h, and previous speed limit increases on selected portions of highways have seen positive results, with travel times reduced and congestion alleviated.
The province has a history of raising speed limits on certain highways, with recent increases implemented on sections of highways 401, 403, 406, and 416, as well as a 69-km stretch of Hwy. 69 between Sudbury and French River.
Stunt driving penalties will continue to apply at 150 km/h, and on the highway sections with increased speed limits, stunt driving penalties will apply at 40 km/h over the posted speed limit.
