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Several more sections of provincial freeways had their speed limits increased to 110 km/h on Wednesday, the fifth and final phase to more than double the distance covered by the higher limits since June.

With the new signs popping up on stretches of Hwys. 403, 404, 406, 407, 412, 418 and the Queen Elizabeth Way, the province said almost 90% of Ontario’s freeway network has a posted speed limit of 110 km/h, which is up from 43% when the changes were announced in June.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said at the time that the changes were being made to “get drivers where they’re going faster and safely.

“We’re going to keep supporting commuters, workers and businesses by investing in our $31-billion plan to build and expand roads and highways, so we can get people and goods moving across Ontario and keep workers on the job,” Sarkaria said in a news release announcing the changes.

Province began increasing limits in 2022

The provincial government had already increased speed limits on certain sections of 400-class highways, the QEW and Hwy. 69 between Sudbury and French River in 2022 and 2024, which they said aligned with posted limits in other Canadian jurisdictions.

The province said more than 870 km of highway had the higher posted limit when the latest changes, which were phased in over a three-month span , were announced in June. They estimate drivers will now be able to save about 20 minutes in travel time from Sarnia to Toronto and about a half-hour commuting from Toronto to Ottawa.

Critics of the move have expressed concerns about safety, although the president and chief executive of the Ontario Safety League told the Toronto Sun in the summer that they supported “evidence-based” speed limits “as long as the science and engineering support it, which it does.

“My concern is driver behaviour,” Angelo DiCicco said after the province’s announcement. “Many people have seen an increase in assertive, bordering on aggressive driving as vehicles have become much more competent, capable and safe.”

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Where were limits recently increased?

According to the province, there are nine sections of highway with the new posted limit. They include:

— Hwy. 403 from the QEW to Hwy. 401;

— Hwy. 404 from Hwy. 401 to Mulock Dr.;

— Hwy. 406 from Westchester Ave. to Hwy. 58;

— Hwy. 407 from Brock Rd. to Hwy. 35/115;

— Hwy. 412 from Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 407;

— Hwy. 418 from Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 407;

— QEW from Freeman Interchange to Hwy. 403;

— QEW from Concession Rd. to McLeod Rd.;

— QEW from Mountain Rd. to Jordan Rd.

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