Ontario Proposes Legislation to Address Traffic and Road Maintenance

The Ontario government has proposed new legislation aimed at addressing traffic congestion and improving road conditions. This legislation, if passed, would require municipalities to obtain provincial approval before installing new bike lanes that could reduce vehicle lanes. The proposal comes as a response to the increase in bike lanes during the pandemic, which the government claims has contributed to traffic gridlock.

Additionally, the government plans to raise speed limits to 110 km/h on all 400-series highways where it is deemed safe. This follows previous speed limit increases on certain highway sections. The government is also working on a design standard to allow vehicles to travel safely at speeds over 120 km/h on new highways.

To address road maintenance, the government is consulting with municipalities to establish a pothole prevention and repair fund, expected to be available by the 2025 construction season. This initiative aims to support smaller municipalities in maintaining road quality and safety.

Furthermore, the legislation seeks to formalize the current freeze on knowledge and road test fees, ensuring any future increases would require legislative approval. This freeze was initially set to rise by approximately 4.5% annually, and its continuation is projected to save Ontarians $72 million over the next decade.