Drivers travelling Highway 401 through Durham Region will soon be permitted to travel up to 110 km/h on a large section of the freeway as Ontario continues expanding higher speed limits across the province.
The Highway 401 speed limit will increase from 100 km/h to 110 km/h beginning Monday, Aug. 31 on the highway from Highway 404 in Toronto east to Highway 35/115 in Clarington.
That section runs directly through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington, making the change relevant to thousands of Durham commuters and other motorists who regularly use Highway 401.
The Ontario government included the stretch in a province-wide expansion of 110 km/h speed limits announced earlier this summer.
Where will the Highway 401 speed limit increase?
Beginning Aug. 31, the new 110 km/h limit will apply on Highway 401 from Highway 404 east to Highway 35/115.
For Durham Region drivers, that means the higher posted limit will extend across virtually the entire major east-west Highway 401 corridor through the region.
The province already lists the Highway 401 section from Highway 35/115 east toward Cobourg as a permanent 110 km/h zone.
Motorists should continue following the speed limit shown on posted highway signs, particularly during the transition as new signage is installed or uncovered.
Temporary construction-zone limits and other reduced speed limits will continue to apply where posted.
Ontario expanding 110 km/h highway network
Ontario announced in June that it would raise the speed limit on hundreds of additional kilometres of provincial highways in several stages.
Changes began June 26 and have continued throughout the summer.
The Aug. 31 phase includes several Highway 401 sections across Ontario, including:
- Highway 401 from Merlin Road to Highway 427
- Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Highway 35/115
- Highway 401 from Cobourg to Colborne
- Highway 401 from Sidney Street to the CNR Overhead Bridge in Belleville
- Highway 401 from County Road 38 to Highway 15
A section of Highway 403 from Highway 401 to Middletown Line is also scheduled to increase to 110 km/h on the same date.
More Durham highways change Sept. 30
The Highway 401 speed limit increase will not be the final change affecting Durham Region this year.
Another round is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Ontario says the speed limit will increase to 110 km/h on Highway 407 from Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 35/115 in Clarington.
The full Highway 412 connection between Highway 401 and Highway 407 will also move to 110 km/h.
Highway 418 between Highway 401 and Highway 407 in Clarington is included as well.
Those changes will significantly expand the number of major controlled-access highways in Durham where motorists can legally travel at 110 km/h.
Province says selected highways can handle higher speeds
Ontario says the move builds on earlier increases introduced on selected highways following a pilot project that began in 2019.
According to the province, highway sections selected for the higher limits were assessed using factors that included whether the roadway could safely accommodate faster posted speeds.
The government says it will continue monitoring safety and traffic operations on highways where the 110 km/h limits are introduced.
The higher limit does not mean motorists should always travel at 110 km/h.
Drivers are still expected to adjust their speed for traffic, weather, visibility, construction and road conditions.
Durham drivers should watch for new signs
The Aug. 31 change is especially significant for commuters travelling between Durham Region and Toronto because it covers the busy Highway 401 corridor from Highway 404 through Durham to Highway 35/115.
Drivers should watch for updated speed-limit signs beginning Monday and continue obeying any lower temporary limits posted through construction zones.
With Highway 407, Highway 412 and Highway 418 scheduled for similar increases Sept. 30, Durham Region will soon have several major routes operating with a posted maximum of 110 km/h.
