Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced plans to increase the speed limit on 400-series highways across the province, placing the spotlight on both safety and traffic management. The proposed increase will allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 110 kilometres per hour on select stretches of these highways—a change intended to alleviate congestion and improve travel times for commuters.
The initiative stems from previous decisions made by Ford's government, which raised the speed limit from 100 to 110 km/h on six sections of the highways back in 2022. Following the success of several pilot projects initiated since 2019, the province made the switch permanent for these areas. Earlier this year, the government implemented similar increases on ten more sections, demonstrating its commitment to addressing Ontario’s traffic woes.
During the announcement, Ford emphasized the need for expediency on Ontario’s roads. “Safety first over anything,” he said, indicating the government's focus on ensuring the changes made are within safe operational guidelines. He also expressed an aspiration to see speeds improved significantly, mentioning, "wouldn't it be great if we could even get over 50 kilometres per hour on the 401 during rush hour through this city? That would be incredible.”
Along with the speed limit increases, the government is tackling reckless driving with stricter penalties. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria pointed out, “We’re taking away licenses for life; we’re suspending people longer,” alluding to efforts to deter carelessness and impaired driving, which continue to plague the area.
Despite the intentions behind the increase, not everyone is on board with the changes. Critics like Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy argue against simply raising speed limits. Clancy insists the focus should shift toward providing more affordable transportation alternatives, such as extending GO Train service and improving connectivity between neighborhoods to reduce reliance on automobiles. “Our communities need two-way, all-day GO train and intercity bus service,” she maintained by advocating for sustainable solutions.
Ford’s government faces challenges beyond speed limits. Concerns about overall traffic congestion persist, especially on major routes like Highway 401, which currently inflicts economic costs estimated at $11 billion annually due to gridlock, costing drivers exhaustive hours spent idling. The premier acknowledged the severity of these issues, noting, “Gridlock is costing the provincial economy.”
Alongside discussions of speed limit increases, Ford was asked if he’d be considering the possibility of buying back Highway 407, previously sold to private interests. This toll highway runs parallel to Highway 401 and has raised questions surrounding its current management and usability. Ford responded with caution, stating, “All options are on the table—maybe both options.”
Highway 407 was originally sold for $3.1 billion back during the Mike Harris government’s term, a decision now met with criticism from various quarters, including Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, who described it as “one of the worst financial decisions in Ontario history.”
The tension surrounding the highway's management contrasts with the province's intention to analyze the feasibility of new infrastructure projects, such as the proposed expressway tunnel under Highway 401, aimed at relieving some of the gridlock experienced daily across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Ford's speed limit increase is supported by successful precedents; many believe it showcases the government’s willingness to address traffic issues. Yet, the pushback highlights the balancing act between speed and safety, as well as the need for broader transit improvements across the province.
Beneath the discussions of infrastructure and transportation policies sits the wider question: are fast lanes the solution to Ontario's gridlocked roads? Only time will tell if Ford's bold measures will have the desired effect of easing congestion and allowing drivers to reach their destinations more swiftly, or if more comprehensive solutions are needed to truly address the issues at hand.
