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Plans to increase the speed limit north of the French River have been put in place. Some are relieved of this long-awaited change whereas others show some concern.
Starting July 12, the speed limit will be permanently raised to 110 km/h on several new sections of 400-series highways and Highway 69 (see the full list here).
According to the ministry, all highway sections were selected 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 ministers paint such a simple and obvious case that it's hard to question their decision, but do we know the full story, or have they picked out the finer points to use for their own agenda. Better yet, what is the full story, and what aren’t they telling us? Or more importantly have they done their homework?
In 2019, the government began consultations and a pilot program to explore opportunities to increase speed limits on select Ontario highways. More than 8,300 people responded to an online survey and about 80 per cent were supportive of the pilots, while 82 per cent supported raising speed limits on more sections of 400-series highways. This polling process did not involve Northern Ontario, it was focussed on the 400 corridors. As a result, 860 kilometres of Ontario’s highway network will now see a speed increase to 110km/h. Therefore, without much consideration and research on the areas mentioned, we were thrown into the basket.
You will notice quite a difference in terrain between the Southern Ontario road sections and the terrain north of French River with its rock formations. The landscape is also completely flat. The fact that having more room on the left and right of the highway cannot be disputed, but why does it truly matter? Having excess room on either side is mandatory in emergency situations, or weather situations.
It also provides larger commercial vehicles with a “runaway path.” Safety of law enforcement is also a benefit of having extra room to pull a vehicle over and off the highway. Now that we have explored the need for lots of room on either side, what do we mean by flatness? Well, we know that flatness directly influences the smoothness, and smoothness is a measure of the level of comfort experienced by the travelling public while riding over a pavement surface.
While I share the minister’s ambition, the examples they provide us with are absurd when considering this speed limit north of French River.
In in their defense, they mention B.C. as having a speed limit of 120km/h, but that is only from Abbottsford to Vancouver, which is almost identical to the 401 east or west.
What they do not provide us with is a comparable example, like the Bruhn four-lane bridge in B.C. on the Trans-Canada Highway. That is more reminiscent of the French River area. This bridge has traffic reduced to 80km/h.
Backtracking east towards Ontario, all provinces depict an exceptionally straight highway. We know this region to be flat farmland ideally suited for the speed of 110 km/h, allowing for lots of room around the highway.
Going eastward, we know these areas to be geographically referred to as the Appalachians – which are flattened Rockies over time, therefore indicative of flat terrain. It is reminiscent of the western provinces. We notice the excess in room around the highway, and it is a good safety tool to have. It gives emergency responders extra room to work with as well as law enforcement.
Another concern is vehicle recovery. Many people have suffered accidents and sometimes fatalities working in vehicle recovery across the 401 corridors. When it comes to the section between French River and Sudbury, I cannot help wondering if they are sacrificing safety for development. Given the shortage of police officers, should we not make their job as safe as possible?
French River is one of the most profoundly beautiful places in Ontario, a pure tourist magnet. Fish that will not leave your hook alone, and the friendliest people catering to your every need. The road between French River and Sudbury has always had its issues in the past around Britt, but the freeway put into place is not without its issues.
When we weigh all the information, as well as the poor examples supplied by the ministry, I still am still left with concerns. The ministry can provide the area with its own online poll. We could learn from the examples supplied by the ministry to clear more land in hopes of building a larger shoulder.
Either way, there exists a definite need to revisit and rethink the ministry’s decision regarding the increase of speed from French River to Sudbury.
Mark Brunet
Greater Sudbury