Drivers travelling through Durham Region can now legally travel at speeds of up to 110 km/h on a major section of Highway 401 following Ontario’s latest increase in posted highway limits.
The new Highway 401 speed limit took effect Monday, Aug. 31, and applies from Highway 404 in the west to Highway 35/115 in Clarington.
That section covers the main Highway 401 corridor through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington, making the change relevant to thousands of commuters and other motorists who regularly travel across Durham Region.
The permanent increase raises the maximum posted speed from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on the designated section.
Motorists should still pay close attention to highway signs while travelling. Lower speed limits may continue to apply in construction zones, areas affected by temporary restrictions or other locations where reduced limits are posted for safety reasons.
The new Highway 401 speed limit does not mean drivers are required to travel at 110 km/h. Motorists are still expected to adjust their speed based on weather, traffic, road conditions and visibility.
More Durham Highway Changes Coming Sept. 30
Several additional highway speed-limit increases affecting Durham Region are scheduled to take effect on Sept. 30.
Highway 407 between Brock Road and Highway 35/115 is expected to receive a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h.
The full length of Highway 412, which connects Highway 401 and Highway 407 in Whitby, is also scheduled to increase to 110 km/h.
Highway 418, running between Highway 401 and Highway 407 in Clarington, is expected to receive the same increase.
Until those changes officially take effect, motorists travelling on Highway 407, Highway 412 or Highway 418 should continue following the speed limits currently posted along each route.
Ontario first began testing 110 km/h speed limits on selected provincial highways in 2019.
The program has since expanded gradually to additional sections of the province’s highway network.
The province has said higher limits are introduced on highway sections considered suitable for increased speeds based on their design, engineering and existing safety features.
For drivers across Durham Region, the Aug. 31 change represents a significant adjustment to one of the area’s busiest transportation routes.
The higher Highway 401 speed limit is now officially in effect between Highway 404 and Highway 35/115, rather than remaining a future proposal.
Motorists travelling through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington should watch posted signs and remain aware of changing limits as Ontario continues expanding 110 km/h zones across the provincial highway system.
