Hwy 69 now 110 km/h from Sudbury to French River

You can now officially push a little harder on the pedal when travelling on the divided portion of Highway 69 between Greater Sudbury and French River.

That’s because the Ontario government move to increase speed limits from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on some portions of 400-series highway took effect July 12.  

Ten additional sections of 400 highways had the limit increased. Locally, 60 kilometres of Highway 69 from Sudbury to French River are part of the plan.

Ontario said the expansion is justified after testing the increase on six sections of highway starting in 2022.

“Most of Ontario’s highways were originally designed to safely accommodate speed limits of 110 km/h and the data from our changes in 2022 shows they do just that,” said Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “These evidence-based increases are a common-sense change to make life more convenient for Ontario drivers while bringing our highway speed limits in line with other Canadian provinces.”

The speed limit increase took effect July 12 on the following sections of roadway:

• Hwy 401, Tilbury, extending the existing 110 km/h zone further east by 7 km
• Hwy 401 from Hwy 35/115 to Cobourg (approximately 35 km)
• Hwy 401 from Colborne to Belleville (approximately 44 km)
• Hwy 401 from Belleville to Kingston (approximately 66 km)
• Hwy 401 from Hwy 16 to Quebec boundary (approximately 107 km)
• Hwy 403 from Woodstock to Brantford (approximately 26 km)
• Hwy 403 from Brantford to Hamilton (approximately 14.5 km)
• Hwy 406 from Thorold to Welland (approximately 13 km)
• Hwy 416 from Hwy 401 to Ottawa (approximately 70 km)
• Hwy 69 from Sudbury to French River (approximately 60 km)

The province said these sections of road were chosen “based on their ability to safely accommodate higher speed limits.” 

“Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h, while in British Columbia, the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h,” the province said in a news release.

Until 1975, Highways 400, 401, 417 and the Queen Elizabeth Way were posted at 70 mph (113 km/h) before being reduced due to the energy crisis.

Stunt driving penalties will continue to apply at 150 km/h. On the highway sections with increased speed limits, stunt driving penalties will apply at 40 km/h over the posted speed limit.