The Ontario government has announced a new legislative proposal aimed at alleviating road congestion and expediting commutes for drivers across the province. The proposed legislation, which is set to be introduced on Oct. 21, 2024, includes measures that would impose provincial oversight on municipal decisions to install new bike lanes, raise highway speed limits, and establish a pothole repair fund.
Under the proposed rules, municipalities would need provincial approval before implementing bike lanes that would reduce lanes for vehicular traffic. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, stated that the legislation is in response to the rapid increase in bike lanes installed during the pandemic, which he claims has contributed to traffic delays.
“Cities in Ontario have seen an explosion of bike lanes, including many that were installed during the pandemic when fewer vehicles were on the road and their impacts on traffic were unclear,” Sarkaria said. “Too many drivers are now stuck in gridlock as a result, which is why our government is bringing informed decision-making and oversight to bike lanes” he added.
If the legislation passes, Ontario drivers could also see speed limits on all 400-series highways increase to 110 km/h, building on earlier moves to raise limits on select highways. According to Sarkaria, the government aims to create a design standard that would allow vehicles to travel safely at speeds up to 120 km/h on newly constructed highways. This could mean faster commutes for workers who rely on these highways for daily travel.
The province is also planning to address road maintenance by launching a pothole prevention and repair fund in 2025, targeting smaller municipalities in need of additional support for road repairs. The fund is expected to set uniform standards to enhance road quality across Ontario, potentially reducing vehicle damage and improving safety for drivers.
Additionally, the legislation proposes to enshrine a freeze on knowledge and road test fees, which was previously scheduled to increase annually by roughly 4.5 per cent. The Ontario government estimates this measure could save residents $72 million over the next decade.
As the Ontario government moves to advance these changes, the legislation is poised to impact the daily commute for many workers across the province, particularly those in areas where bike lanes and vehicular traffic frequently intersect. The government has yet to release detailed criteria for the approval process of new bike lanes or the locations where higher speed limits might be applied.