Ontario permanently raising speed limits to 110 km/h on some highway sections on April 22

Ontario is permanently increasing the speed limits on some sections of certain southern Ontario highways from 100 to 110 kilometres an hour next month, in line with several other provinces.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney made the announcement on Tuesday during a media event in Tilbury in southwestern Ontario.

The change follows several speed-limit pilots and consultations, the government says.

The higher speed limits on the following sections of highway will start April 22:

In addition, Mulroney said, the province is launching a pilot project on two sections of highway in northern Ontario. The speed limits on Highway 400 from MacTier to Nobel, and Highway 11 from Emsdale to South River will go from 100 to 110 km/h on April 22 as well.

"We know how important it is that families travelling to get their kids to sporting events, and businesses looking to transport their goods, can get where they need to go more quickly and safely," Mulroney said.

The province of Ontario said two years ago that 80 per cent of people who responded to a survey about the pilot project supported it.

The Ontario government says the other provinces that have also posted speed limits of 110 km/h on select segments of certain highways are Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Mulroney said Ontario chose the sections of highway based on several factors, including their ability to handle higher speeds.

"As always, safety is at the forefront of our work," she said. "We will continue to monitor the operations and safety performance on all sections where the speed limit is increased to 110 kilometres per hour.

"And we will work with the OPP [Ontario Provincial Police] to guide our efforts to safely implement the speed limit with enhanced signage."

Mulroney said the new speed limits won't apply to transport trucks, which will still be limited to 105 km/h.

"The province of Ontario recognizes the importance of our economic trade corridors, especially here in southwestern Ontario," Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement. "Adjusting the speed limits recognizes that vehicle safety and fuel efficiency has evolved since these limits were previously set."

Dilkens said the announcement "is a common-sense approach which preserves safety while locally recognizing conditions across Ontario."