Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced that the Ministry of Transportation is exploring the possibility of raising the speed limit to 110 km/h on additional stretches of 400-series highways where it is deemed safe. The move aims to help reduce gridlock, shorten commute times, and allow people to spend more time with their families. Ford emphasized that any increases would only occur “where it is safe to do so.”
The initiative follows the success of previous speed limit increases on select highways, with Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stating that feedback from earlier pilot projects has been “very positive.” The government is working with engineers to assess the safety of expanding the higher speed limits to more areas.
Additionally, Ford addressed questions about potentially buying back the private stretch of Highway 407, currently owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. He stated that “all options are on the table” as his government looks for ways to alleviate congestion on Highway 401, including a feasibility study for a massive tunnel running beneath the 401 from Brampton to Scarborough.
Critics of the tunnel project, which is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars, have called for subsidies for transport trucks using Highway 407 as a more immediate and cost-effective solution. However, Ford noted that the 407 is projected to reach full capacity in 20 years, making it crucial to consider long-term solutions to address future traffic demands.