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{{Short description|Ontario freeway network}}
{{For|the 400-series highways in British Columbia|400-series highways (British Columbia)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=
{{featured list}}
{{infobox state highway system
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| maint = [[Ministry of Transportation of Ontario]] (MTO)
| length_km = 1997.3
| length_ref = <ref name="km">{{cite web |title = Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) counts |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |author-link = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |year = 2010 |url = http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/tvweb?OpenForm&Seq=5 |access-date = March 29, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192209/http://www.raqsb.mto.gov.on.ca/techpubs/TrafficVolumes.nsf/tvweb?OpenForm&Seq=5 |archive-date = July 6, 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
| formed = {{start date|1952|07|01}}
| label1 = [[Provincial highway|Provincial]]
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== History ==
When the 400-series designations were first applied to Ontario freeways in 1952,<ref name="series400">{{cite news |title = Search Engine: Highway Mysteries Solved |first = Karena |last = Walter |work = The Niagara Falls Review |date = February 21, 2014 |url = http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/02/21/search-engine-highway-mysteries-solved |access-date = December 17, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222082645/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/02/21/search-engine-highway-mysteries-solved |archive-date = December 22, 2015 }}</ref>
several divided highways had already been opened in Southern Ontario.<ref name="1953map">{{cite map |title = Ontario Road Map |first = C.P. |last = Robins |publisher = Ontario Department of Highways |year = 1952 |section = Q28–U41 }}</ref>
Originally inspired by German [[Reichsautobahn|Autobahn]]s, Minister of Highways [[Thomas McQuesten]] planned a network of "Dual Highways" across the southern half of the province during the 1930s.<ref>{{cite news |title = Hopes to Improve Roads |work = The Gazette |location = Montreal |date = February 18, 1936 |page = 14 |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b74tAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcqueston%20highway&pg=3117%2C2124256 |access-date = February 9, 2010 |archive-date = October 19, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019192714/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b74tAAAAIBAJ&dq=mcqueston+highway&pg=3117%2C2124256 |url-status = live }}</ref>{{sfnp|Stamp|1987|pp=11–12|ps=.}}
The [[Queen Elizabeth Way]] (QEW) was first, an upgrade to the partially constructed [[The Middle Road|Middle Road]] in 1934.<ref name="globeandmail">{{cite news |title = Remember That 'Little Four-Lane Freeway?' |last = English |first = Bob |work = The Globe And Mail |location = Toronto |date = March 16, 2006 |quote = ...the freeway concept was promoted by Hamiltonian Thomas B. McQuesten, then the highway minister. The Queen Elizabeth Way was already under construction, but McQuesten changed it into a dual-lane divided highway, based on Germany's new autobahns. }}</ref>
McQuesten also sought out the economic opportunities that came with linking Toronto to [[Detroit]] and [[New York (state)|New York state]] by divided roadways with interchanges at major crossroads. Although he no longer served as Minister of Highways by the onset of [[World War II]], his ambitious plans would come to fruition in the following decades as Highways 400, 401, 402, 403 (between Woodstock and Hamilton), and 405.{{sfnp|Stamp|1987|p={{page needed|date=July 2020}}|ps=.}}
The construction boom following the war resulted in many new freeway construction projects in the province. The Toronto–Barrie Highway (Highway 400), Trans-Provincial Highway (Highway 401),<ref name="JShragge">{{cite web |title = Highway 401: The Story |last = Shragge |first = John G. |year = 2007 |url = http://www.roadscholar.on.ca/lateststory.html |access-date = February 12, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080328001341/http://www.roadscholar.on.ca/lateststory.html |archive-date = March 28, 2008 }}</ref>
a short expansion of Highway 7 approaching the [[Blue Water Bridge]] in Sarnia (Highway 402),<ref name="Christina heritage">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Heritage Impact Assessment: Christina Street Bridge over Highway 402, Sarnia |author = Built Heritage, Cultural Landscape and Planning Section |publisher = Archaeological Services Inc |date = January 2006 |chapter = 2.0 Background History |page = 4 |chapter-url = http://www.historicbridges.org/concrete/christina/historical.pdf |access-date = January 6, 2014 |archive-date = September 23, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200923055721/https://historicbridges.org/concrete/christina/historical.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
and an expansion of Highway 27 (eventually designated as Highway 427 by the mid-1970s) into part of the Toronto Bypass were all underway or completed by the early 1950s.<ref name="JShragge" /> Seeking a way to distinguish the controlled-access freeways from the existing two-lane King's Highways, the Department of Highways created the 400-series designations in 1952. By the end of the year, Highway 400, 401, and 402 were numbered, although they were only short stubs of their current lengths.<ref name="series400" /> Highway 401 was assembled across the province in a patchwork fashion,<ref name="JShragge" />
becoming fully navigable between Windsor and the Quebec border on November 10, 1964;<ref name="openDates">{{harvp|Ministry of Transportation and Communications|1972|pp=8–9}}.</ref>
Highway 400 was extended north to [[Coldwater, Ontario|Coldwater]] on Christmas Eve 1959;<ref>{{cite news |title = Open 400 Link to Coldwater |work = The Toronto Star |date = December 24, 1959 |page = 18 |quote = The new, 22-mile extension from south of Crown Hill to Coldwater will be ready for traffic this afternoon. }}</ref>
Highway 402 was extended to London between 1972 and 1982.<ref name="begin">{{cite book |title = Highway Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1972–1973 |page = xi }}</ref><ref name="ceremony">{{cite book |title = Annual Report |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1982–1983 |page = 76 |edition = Construction }}</ref>
In addition to this network backbone, plans for additional 400-series highways were initiated by the late 1950s, comprising the Chedoke Expressway (Highway 403) through [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]];<ref name="planning">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Annual Report for the Fiscal Year |publisher = Ontario Department of Highways |date = March 31, 1958 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6f8iAQAAIAAJ&q=C.A.H+403 |access-date = July 25, 2010 }}</ref>
the [[Don Valley Parkway]] Extension (Highway 404) northward from the soon-to-be constructed Toronto expressway;<ref name="plan">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Don Valley Parkway Extension, Highway 401 to Steeles Avenue |publisher = Desjardines |year = 1957 }}</ref>
Highway 405 to connect with the American border near [[St. Catharines]];<ref>{{cite news |title = Above the Regular Budget |work = The Ottawa Citizen |date = July 31, 1958 |page = 7 |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uT4vAAAAIBAJ&dq=hamilton%20expressway%20toronto&pg=4732%2C2879605 |access-date = October 20, 2010 |archive-date = August 14, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220814223431/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uT4vAAAAIBAJ&dq=hamilton%20expressway%20toronto&pg=4732%2C2879605 |url-status = live }}</ref>
Highway 406 south from St. Catharines to [[Welland]];<ref>{{cite book |title = Annual Report |publisher = Department of Highways |date = March 31, 1961 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ngAjAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Highway%20406%22 |access-date = July 29, 2011 }}</ref>
Highway 407 encircling the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), though not built for another 40 years;<ref name="suburbs">{{cite book |title = The Shape of the Suburbs: Understanding Toronto's Sprawl |first = John |last = Sewell |publisher = University of Toronto Press |year = 2009 |page = 72 |isbn = 978-0-8020-9884-9 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dFA2YUVA57wC&q=%22Highway+403%22&pg=PA72 |access-date = July 1, 2010 }}</ref>
Highway 409 to connect Highway 401 with [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto International Airport]];<ref>{{cite book |title = Malton: Farms to Flying |first = Kathleen A. |last = Hicks |publisher = Friends of the Mississauga Library System |year = 2006 |pages = 208–209 |section = Road Controversy - 1968 |isbn = 0-9697873-9-1 |url = http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/9634_MaltonBook_PartFour.pdf |access-date = April 4, 2010 |archive-date = November 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201125072743/https://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/9634_MaltonBook_PartFour.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
and The Queensway (Highway 417) through Ottawa.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Queensway Began with a Royal Blast: Flashback to 1957. |first = Peter |last = Robertson |publisher = Carlington Community Association |url = http://www.carlingtoncommunity.org/?p=1492 |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426061730/http://www.carlingtoncommunity.org/?p=1492 |archive-date = April 26, 2012 }}</ref>
The first sections of these freeways were opened in 1963,{{sfnp|Ontario Department of Highways|1970|p=11|ps=.}}
1977,<ref name="1976report">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1976–1977 |page = XV }}</ref>
1963,{{sfnp|Ontario Department of Highways|1970|p=11|ps=.}} 1965,{{sfnp|Ontario Department of Highways|1970|p=12|ps=.}}
1997,<ref name="407dates">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Settlement of Claim of Richard Prendiville |publisher = Ontario Superior Court of Justice |date = December 12, 2001 |page = 7 |url = http://www.kmlaw.ca/site_documents/011240_SOC_18dec01.pdf |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140727041251/http://www.kmlaw.ca/site_documents/011240_SOC_18dec01.pdf |archive-date = July 27, 2014 }}</ref>
1974,<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Construction Program: King's and Secondary Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1976–1977 |page = XIV }}</ref>
and 1960,<ref name="gloucester">{{cite book |title = A Historical Timeline for the Township of Gloucester |first = Glenn |last = Clark |publisher = The Gloucester Historical Society |date = April 14, 2012 |url = http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/history.html |access-date = July 1, 2012 |archive-date = August 21, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120821202050/http://www.gloucesterhistory.com/history.html |url-status = live }}</ref>
respectively.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, additional freeways were planned or built, including Highway 427 in Toronto,<ref name="assumed427"/>
Highway 403 through Mississauga,<ref>{{cite news |title = Drivers Will Wait Years Before Relief from QEW Jams |first = Thomas |last = Coleman |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto |date = July 12, 1975 |pages = 5 }}</ref>
Highway 410 north to Brampton and Highway 416 to connect Highways 401 and 417.<ref name="teh">{{cite book |type = Report |title = The History of Toronto's Unfinished Expressway System |publisher = Energy Probe<!-- Note: Strikingly familiar to the former Get Toronto Moving Tranportation plan. --> |date = April 5, 2009 |url = http://ep.probeinternational.org/2009/04/05/history-torontos-unfinished-expressway-system/ |access-date = January 23, 2012 |archive-date = September 19, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200919092827/https://ep.probeinternational.org/2009/04/05/history-torontos-unfinished-expressway-system/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = New 45-Mile Highway to Link Ottawa with 401 |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto |date = November 14, 1967 |page = 4 }}</ref>
Highway 420 was designated in Niagara Falls,<ref name="series400" /><ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Highway Construction Program 1972-73 |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |date = April 1972 |section = Queen Elizabeth Way - Hamilton to Fort Erie |page = xv }}</ref>
though it had been built as part of the QEW in 1941.{{sfnp|Stamp|1992|p=129|ps=.}} Other major works included the skyway bridges along the QEW and the expansion of Highway 401 through most of Toronto into twelve-lane [[collector–express]] systems.<ref name="JShragge" />{{sfnp|Stamp|1987|pp=59–61|ps=.}}<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Annual Report |publisher = Department of Highways |date = March 31, 1964 |section = Chronology |page = 296 }}</ref>
By the mid-1980s, the network had more-or-less taken its current shape, with only Highways 407, 412, 416 and 418 yet to be built.<ref>{{cite map |title = Ontario Road Map |author = Cartography Section |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1986 }}</ref><ref name="2014map">{{cite map |title = Ontario Road Map |author = Cartography Section |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |year = 2014–2015 }}</ref>
Instead, emphasis was placed on expanding existing routes to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.<ref name="suburbs" /> However, extensions of Highway 400 towards [[Parry Sound, Ontario|Parry Sound]],<ref name="PStoPS">{{cite web |title = Highway 69 Four-Laning Port Severn to Parry Sound |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = May 2000 |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/highway69/images/highway69.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000823222037/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/highway69/images/highway69.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 23, 2000 |access-date = December 27, 2011 }}</ref>
Highway 403 between [[Woodstock, Ontario|Woodstock]] and Hamilton,<ref name="1989c">{{cite journal |title = Provincial Highways Construction Projects |author = Transportation Capital Branch |journal = Northern Transportation, Construction Projects |publisher = Ministry of Transportation |year = 1991–1992<!-- May 1991 --> |page = 7 |issn = 0714-1149 }}</ref>
Highway 404 towards [[Newmarket, Ontario|Newmarket]],<ref name="Davis">{{cite news |title = Ontario Studies Plan to Extend Highway 404 Farther North |first = Brian |last = Dexter |work = The Toronto Star |date = October 25, 1989 |department = News |page = A8 }}</ref>
and Highway 427 towards Vaughan were underway.<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Provincial Highways Construction Projects |publisher = Ministry of Transportation |year = 1989–1990 |page = 13 |issn = 0714-1149 }}</ref>
By the end of the decade, construction of Highway 407 and Highway 416 had begun,<ref name="suburbs" /><ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Northern Transportation Construction Projects 1988–89 |author = Transportation Capital Branch |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |date = May 1991 |page = 16 |issn = 0714-1149 }}</ref>
and Highway 410 was expanded from two to four lanes.<ref>{{cite journal |title = Provincial Highways Construction Projects |author = Transportation Capital Branch |journal = Northern Transportation, Construction Projects |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |year = 1986–1987<!-- April 1986 --> |page = XII |issn = 0714-1149 }}</ref>
Highways 407 and 416 opened in the late 1990s.<ref name="407dates" /><ref name="opened416"/>
Until early 2015, Highways 407 and 416 were the most-recently designated (and constructed) freeways in Ontario. This has changed with the construction of [[Ontario Highway 412|Highways 412]] and [[Ontario Highway 418|418]]. In addition to these new additions to the 400-series network, several extensions of existing freeways have been built or are underway,<ref name="2014map" /> including Highway 410 north of Brampton in 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title = Hwy 410 Extension Causing Confusion |first = Heather |last = Abrey |publisher = North Peel Media Group |work = Caledon Enterprise |date = November 20, 2009 |url = http://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/1368052-hwy-410-extension-causing-confusion/ |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-date = September 17, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917191331/https://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/1368052-hwy-410-extension-causing-confusion/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
Highway 400 to north of Parry Sound in 2010,<ref name="nobel">{{cite news |title = $177-Million Section of Highway Now Open |first = Cameron |last = Ginn |publisher = Metroland Media Group |work = Cottage Country Now |date = October 27, 2010 |url = http://www.muskokaregion.com/news-story/3646903--177-million-section-of-highway-now-open/ |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-date = September 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200925130503/https://www.muskokaregion.com/news-story/3646903--177-million-section-of-highway-now-open/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
Highway 417 to [[Arnprior, Ontario|Arnprior]] in 2012,<ref name="Arnprior">{{cite news |title = Highway 417 opens at Arnprior |first = Sean |last = Chase |publisher = Canoe Sun Media |work = The Pembroke Observer |date = November 30, 2012 |url = http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2012/11/30/highway-417-opens-at-arnprior |access-date = December 2, 2012 |archive-date = June 27, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180627182926/http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2012/11/30/highway-417-opens-at-arnprior |url-status = live }}</ref>
Highway 404 to [[Keswick, Ontario|Keswick]] in 2014,<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway 404 Extension Opens |first = Dave |last = Bradley |work = NewsTalk 1010 |date = September 17, 2014 |url = http://www.newstalk1010.com/news/2014/09/17/highway-404-extension-opens |access-date = September 17, 2014 |archive-date = December 23, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141223050831/http://www.newstalk1010.com/news/2014/09/17/highway-404-extension-opens |url-status = live }}</ref>
Highway 401 through Windsor in 2015,<ref>{{cite news |title = Newsroom: Highway 401 Section of the New Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway Now Complete |publisher = Ministry of Transportation |work = News.Ontario.ca |date = November 20, 2015 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/11/new-rt-hon-herb-gray-parkway-in-windsor-now-complete.html |access-date = November 21, 2015 |archive-date = July 14, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170714135355/https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/11/new-rt-hon-herb-gray-parkway-in-windsor-now-complete.html |url-status = live }}</ref>
and four-laning Highway 406 to Welland in late 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title = 406 Widening Underway |first = Paul |last = Forsyth |publisher = Metroland Media |work = Niagara This Week |date = August 19, 2011 |url = http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3260291-406-widening-underway/ |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-date = September 17, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917153542/https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3260291-406-widening-underway/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
== Design standards ==
The 400-series highways always have a minimum 4 lane cross-section with grade separation at all junctions. Interchanges tend to be spaced at least 1.5 kilometres apart in urban areas unless there are basket weave ramps or collector lanes to facilitated shorter merge distances. In rural areas, interchanges tend to be spaced at least 3 kilometres apart, although exceptions exist. When the cross-section of highway is larger than 10 lanes, the road is usually arranged into a [[local–express lanes|local–express lane]] system, which exist on sections of Highways 400, 401, 403, 404 and 427. On all but a few interchanges in the whole system, ramps merge freely on the highway except if there are [[ramp meter]]s in use, and stop or yield controlled ramps are rare. An interchange with stop-controlled ramps onto Highway 400 at Canal Road is currently scheduled for replacement.
While older freeways have some lapses in safety features, contemporary 400-series highways have [[design speed]]s of {{convert|130|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, [[Speed limits in Canada|speed limit]]s ranging from {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}} to {{convert|110|kph|abbr=on}}, various collision avoidance and traffic management systems, and several design standards adopted throughout North America.<ref>{{cite news |title = An Expressway in Name Only |first = Nancy |last = Revie |work = The Guelph Mercury |date = September 19, 2005 |page = A9 }}</ref>
Of note are the [[Ontario Tall Wall]] median barrier and the [[Partial cloverleaf interchange|Parclo A-4]] interchange design, the latter which became standard in the design for the widening of Highway 401 through Toronto in 1962. The [[Institute of Traffic Engineers]] subsequently recommended this design to replace the cloverleaf interchange throughout North America.<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Proceedings ... Annual Meeting |publisher = Institute of Traffic Engineers |year = 1962 |pages = 100–103 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Partial Cloverleaf Interchange (Parclo) |publisher = The Canadian Design Resource |url = http://canadiandesignresource.ca/transportation/partial-cloverleaf-interchange-parclo/ |access-date = June 4, 2015 |archive-date = March 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150317074644/http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/transportation/partial-cloverleaf-interchange-parclo/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
Ontario highways rank fourth in North America for fatality rates, with 0.61 fatalities per 10,000 licensed drivers in 2017. However, this also includes two-lane provincial highways.<ref>{{cite book |type = Report |title = Ontario Road Safety Annual Report |author = ((Road Safety Policy Office - Vehicles)) |publisher = Government of Ontario |year = 2017 |page = 21 |chapter = Overview |chapter-url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2017.pdf |access-date = March 7, 2021 |issn = 1710-2480 |archive-date = March 17, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210317022022/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2017.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
On May 1, 2019, the government of Ontario was looking towards raising the speed limits of the 400-series highways up to {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}}. [[Jeff Yurek]] had stated that "The 400-series highways were built for, I believe, a speed limit of 120 km/h safely."<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://globalnews.ca/news/5226562/ontario-proposing-raising-speed-limits-400-series-highways/ |title = Ontario to Look At Raising Speed Limits Across 400-Series Highways |first = Gabby |last = Rodrigues |date = May 1, 2019 |website = Global News |access-date = May 6, 2019 |archive-date = May 6, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190506030237/https://globalnews.ca/news/5226562/ontario-proposing-raising-speed-limits-400-series-highways/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
A {{convert|110|kph|abbr=on}} trial was set up on 3 stretches of highways on September 26, 2019, to test the viability of increasing speed limits.<ref>{{cite web |title = Consultation: Speed Limits on Ontario Highways |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-speed-limits-ontario-highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |access-date = March 7, 2021 |archive-date = December 31, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201231175550/https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-speed-limits-ontario-highways |url-status = live }}</ref>
The three trialed sections along with three more sections were permanently changed to the higher speed limit on April 22, 2022, and two more sections were trialed.<ref>{{cite press release |first1 = Dakota |last1 = Brasier |first2 = Simisola |last2 = Ikotun |date = March 29, 2022 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001886/ontario-raising-highway-speed-limits |title = Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |access-date = July 13, 2024 }}</ref> The two trialed sections were made permanent along with 10 more sections on July 12, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date = July 12, 2024 |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/raising-speed-limits-ontario-highways |title = Raising Speed Limits on Ontario Highways |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |access-date = July 13, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |first1 = Dakota |last1 = Brasier |first2 = Tanya |last2 = Blazina |date = April 24, 2024 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004476/ontario-raising-highway-speed-limits |title = Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |access-date = July 13, 2024 }}</ref>
Conforming with the ''[[Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices]]'', Ontario utilizes green signs for guidance purposes, including distances to nearby interchanges and destinations.<ref name="OTM8">{{cite web |title = Ontario Traffic Manual Book 8: Guide and Information Signs – Volume 1 |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = May 2010 |page = 18 |url = http://www.directtraffic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Book-81.pdf |access-date = February 24, 2016 |archive-date = March 8, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308150328/http://www.directtraffic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Book-81.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref>
Generally, blue signage is used to list services and attractions at upcoming exits, known as [[Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Tourism-Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) Program |author = Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport |publisher = Government of Ontario |date = November 23, 2015 |url = http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/tourism/tods.shtml |access-date = February 24, 2016 |archive-date = September 28, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170928032108/http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/tourism/tods.shtml |url-status = live }}</ref>
However, several exceptions exist, notably blue guidance signage for toll highways such as [[Ontario Highway 407|Highway 407]], in addition to the [[express-collector|collector lanes]] of highways.<ref name="OTM8" />
The baseline standard for the construction of or expansion to a freeway in Ontario is an [[Average annual daily traffic|average daily traffic count]] of 10,000 vehicles per day. However, other factors are considered as well, particularly future traffic volume forecasts. To promote economic development in a disadvantaged region (e.g., the current extension of Highway 400 to [[Northern Ontario]]), a 400-series highway may be built where the existing highway's traffic counts fall below 10,000.<ref>{{cite
The MTO plans and finances the construction and maintenance of the King's Highway system, which includes the 400-series network.<ref>{{cite web |title = Highway Traffic Act |publisher = Government of Ontario |year = 2016 |url = https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08 |access-date = May 8, 2016 |archive-date = November 22, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091122043253/http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm |url-status = live }}</ref>
The system includes {{convert|1971.8|km}} of freeways. Highway 401 is the longest freeway at {{convert|828.0|km}}, in addition to being the widest and busiest road in Canada. Highway 420 is the shortest of the routes at {{convert|3.3|km}}.<ref name="km" />
Line 529 ⟶ 100:
[[File:400-series HOV lanes map.svg|thumbnail|left|Map showing locations of HOV lanes in the province as of September 2021]]
The MTO began planning for the use of [[high-occupancy vehicle]] (HOV) lanes with the HOV Opportunities Study, contracted to [[McCormick Rankin]] in 2001. This led to the test trial of three HOV lanes in the GTA in December 2005: southbound Highway 404 between Highway 7 and Highway 401, with a dedicated HOV ramp built to connect with westbound Highway 401, and Highway 403 in both directions between Highway 407 and Highway 401 in Mississauga.<ref>{{cite
Since then, HOV lanes have been opened on several 400-series freeways around the [[Golden Horseshoe]] and [[National Capital Region (Canada)|National Capital Region]]. In May 2007, the MTO introduced a multibillion-dollar Horseshoe Network Project, which included plans to incorporate HOV lanes into numerous 400-series highways.<ref name="hovplan">{{cite press release |title = McGuinty Government To Improve Commuters Lives With HOV Lane Network |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = CNW Group |date = May 24, 2015 |url = http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/mcguinty-government-to-improve-commuters-lives-with-hov-lane-network-533803981.html |access-date = January 1, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082223/http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/mcguinty-government-to-improve-commuters-lives-with-hov-lane-network-533803981.html |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
By then, work was already advanced on several projects, including the northbound HOV lane on Highway 404 (that opened on July 23, 2007) and an HOV lane along both directions of Highway 403 between Highway 407 and Highway 401. A third pair of HOV lanes has since been introduced to the QEW/403 through Oakville, and a fourth individual HOV lane travels eastbound on Highway 417 from just west of [[Eagleson Road]] in [[Ottawa]] to just east of Moodie Drive.<ref name="hovplan" />
More than {{convert|450|km}} of HOV lanes are currently proposed for construction by 2031. Future plans include extending existing HOV lanes and introducing them to other 400-series freeways.<ref name="mto">{{cite web |title = Ontario's High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Network Plan for the 400-Series Highways in the Greater Golden Horseshoe |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |publisher = Government of Ontario |url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/plan2007.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141018093151/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/plan2007.shtml |archive-date = October 18, 2014 |access-date = June 9, 2015 }}</ref>
{{As of|October 2014|lc=on}}, two projects have been confirmed: Highway 410 between Highway 401 and Queen Street in Brampton, and Highway 427 between Highway 409 and Highway 7. The MTO has stated that HOV lanes will only be introduced through new construction and that no general-purpose lanes will be converted. The general goals of the project are to help increase highway efficiency (an HOV lane is claimed by the Ontario government to have the ability to move as many people as four general-purpose lanes),<ref name="mto"/> reduce congestion, conserve energy and help protect the environment.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Big Move - Strategy #3 - Improve the Efficiency of the Road and Highway Network |publisher = Metrolinx |url = http://www.metrolinx.com/thebigmove/en/strategies/strategy3.aspx |access-date = June 9, 2015 |archive-date = February 6, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170206011636/http://www.metrolinx.com/thebigmove/en/strategies/strategy3.aspx |url-status = dead }}</ref>
During the [[2015 Pan American Games]] and [[2015 Parapan American Games]] held in [[Toronto]], several HOV lanes had their minimum requirements increased from two passengers to three, and some highways had their general-purpose lanes temporarily converted to HOV lanes to accommodate increased traffic. These temporary restrictions lasted from June 29 to August 18.<ref>{{cite news |title = HOV Lane Restrictions Now in Effect for Pan Am Games |first = David |last = Shum |date = June 29, 2015 |work = Global News |url = http://globalnews.ca/news/2081100/hov-lane-restrictions-now-in-effect-for-pan-am-games/ |access-date = August 22, 2015 |archive-date = September 11, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180911012222/https://globalnews.ca/news/2081100/hov-lane-restrictions-now-in-effect-for-pan-am-games/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
2021 saw several new HOV lanes opened. The southbound HOV lane on Highway{{nbsp}}400 between King Road and Major Mackenzie Drive was opened on September{{nbsp}}11, 2021; while the northbound lane opened two months later on November{{nbsp}}11. The Highway{{nbsp}}427 extension, which opened on September{{nbsp}}18, included an HOV lane north of Finch Avenue.<ref>{{cite web |title = Adding More Lanes to Highway 400 to Keep People Moving |url = https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/45268/adding-more-lanes-to-highway-400-to-keep-people-moving |website = Ontario |access-date = July 22, 2021 |archive-date = July 22, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210722025659/https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/45268/adding-more-lanes-to-highway-400-to-keep-people-moving |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |title = Excited to report that the new southbound HOV lanes on Highway 400 in the #KingTownship & #Vaughan community will open tomorrow! |first = Stephen |last = Lecce |author-link = Stephen Lecce |user = sflecce |number = 1436473186799980544 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Ontario Opens Highway 427 Expansion |publisher = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |date = September 16, 2021 |url = https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000814/ontario-opens-highway-427-expansion |access-date = September 18, 2021 |archive-date = March 17, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220317082614/https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000814/ontario-opens-highway-427-expansion |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |title = Northbound HOV lanes on Highway 400 in the Vaughan area open by tonight! |author = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |author-link = Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |user = sflecce |number = 1458842103824498700 }}</ref>
=== Future HOV lanes ===
The following table lists planned expansions to the HOV network by 2031.<ref name="mto" /><ref name="hwyprogram">{{cite web |title = Ontario's highway programs |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-highway-programs |publisher = Ontario Ministry of Transportation |access-date = August 2, 2020 |date = May 28, 2020 |archive-date = March 7, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220307021808/https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-highway-programs |url-status = live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Near-term (anticipated completion by 2025)
Line 700 ⟶ 183:
|-
|[[Highway 400 (Ontario)|Highway 400]]
|Extension<ref>{{Cite web |date = 2020 |title = Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-north-draft-transportation-plan-northern-ontario |website = Province of Ontario |access-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220618004020/https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-north-draft-transportation-plan-northern-ontario |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~138
|~86
Line 710 ⟶ 193:
|-
|[[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]]
|Extension<ref>{{Cite web |date = 2022 |title = Project Overview |url = https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/en/project-overview |access-date = June 8, 2022 |website = Gordie Howe International Bridge |archive-date = July 11, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210711210903/https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/en/project-overview |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~3
|~2
Line 720 ⟶ 203:
|-
|[[Ontario Highway 404|Highway 404]]
|Extension<ref>{{Cite web |date = 2022 |title = Connecting the GGH: A Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-ggh-transportation-plan-greater-golden-horseshoe |website = Province of Ontario |access-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220618004026/https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-ggh-transportation-plan-greater-golden-horseshoe |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~31
|~19
Line 730 ⟶ 213:
|-
|[[Ontario Highway 410|Highway 410]]
|Extension<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date = April 2022 |title = Preferred Route Factsheet |url = https://www.highway413.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AECOM-Bulletin-AUG-07-2020-Final-web.pdf |access-date = June 8, 2022 |website = Highway 413 |archive-date = March 26, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220326011309/https://www.highway413.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AECOM-Bulletin-AUG-07-2020-Final-web.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~3
|~2
Line 750 ⟶ 233:
|-
|[[Ontario Highway 417|Highway 417]]
|Extension<ref>{{Cite web |date = 2022 |title = Connecting the East: A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario |url = https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-east-draft-transportation-plan-eastern-ontario |website = Province of Ontario |access-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-date = June 18, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220618004024/https://www.ontario.ca/page/connecting-east-draft-transportation-plan-eastern-ontario |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~16
|~10
Line 770 ⟶ 253:
|-
|"[[Bradford Bypass]]"
|New Route<ref>{{Cite web |date = 2020 |title = OVERVIEW - BRADFORD BYPASS |url = https://www.bradfordbypass.ca/overview/ |access-date = June 8, 2022 |website = Bradford Bypass |archive-date = May 24, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220524204059/https://www.bradfordbypass.ca/overview/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
|~16
|~10
Line 804 ⟶ 287:
|established = 1952-07-01
|established_ref = {{sfnp|Shragge|Bagnato|1984|pp=89–92|ps=.}}
|notes = Busiest highway in North America.<ref name="fhwa">{{cite book |type = Report |title = Long-Life Concrete Pavements in Europe and Canada |first = Hanna |last = Maier |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = October 9, 2007 |section = Chapter 2 |url = http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl07027/llcp_07_02.cfm |access-date = May 1, 2010 |quote = The key high-volume highways in Ontario are the 400-series highways in the southern part of the province. The most important of these is the 401, the busiest highway in North America, with average annual daily traffic (AADT) of more than 425,000 vehicles in 2004 and daily traffic sometimes exceeding 500,000 vehicles. |archive-date = May 27, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527124628/http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl07027/llcp_07_02.cfm |url-status = live }}</ref> Scheduled for extension to [[Canada–United States border|American border]] following completion of the [[Gordie Howe International Bridge]].
}}
{{routelist row|local
Line 888 ⟶ 358:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|Hwy|35|con=115|nosh=y}} in [[Clarington]]
|established = 1997-06-07
|established_ref = <ref name="opened407">{{cite news |title = At Last — Opening Bell Tolls for the 407 |first1 = Bob |last1 = Mitchell |newspaper = The Toronto Star |date = June 6, 1997 |pages = A1, A6 }}</ref>
|notes = Tollway divided into two sections; ''Highway 407E'' and ''407 ETR'', with the latter privately operated<ref name="length">{{cite web |title = Map / Toll Calculator |publisher = 407 ETR |date = February 1, 2014 |url = https://www.407etr.com/en/tolls/tolls/toll-calculator.html |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-date = February 2, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210202160837/https://407etr.com/en/tolls/tolls/toll-calculator.html |url-status = live }}</ref>
}}
{{routelist row|local
Line 917 ⟶ 371:
|established = 1978-08-25
|notes = none
|established_ref = <ref name="opened409">{{cite news |title = New Shortcut Will Let Some 'Fly' to Airport |work = The Toronto Star |date = August 19, 1978 |department = Metro News |page = A6 |quote = Highway 409, a new shortcut to Toronto International Airport, opens next Friday }}</ref>
}}
{{routelist row|local
Line 935 ⟶ 382:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|Hwy|10|[[Hurontario Street]]|nosh=y}} in [[Caledon, Ontario|Caledon]]
|established = 1978-11-15
|established_ref = <ref name="opened1978">{{cite press release |title = Highway 410 Opens November 15 |author = Public and Safety Information Section |publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications |date = November 9, 1978 }}</ref>
|notes = none
}}
Line 952 ⟶ 394:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|Hwy|407|nosh=y}} in Whitby
|established = 2016-06-20
|established_ref = <ref>{{cite news |title = UPDATE: Hwy. 407 From Pickering to Oshawa Opens June 20: Toll Free Until End of 2016 |first = Parvaneh |last = Pessian |work = Whitby This Week |date = June 17, 2016 |url = http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/6728167-update-hwy-407-from-pickering-to-oshawa-opens-june-20-toll-free-until-end-of-2016/ |access-date = June 17, 2016 |archive-date = December 13, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171213010400/https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/6728167-update-hwy-407-from-pickering-to-oshawa-opens-june-20-toll-free-until-end-of-2016/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
|notes = Route number assigned February 5, 2015<ref name="Numbered">{{cite web |title = New Highway Numbers |publisher = Highway 407 East |url = http://www.highway407east.com/spotlight/new-highway-numbers/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150419132510/http://www.highway407east.com/spotlight/new-highway-numbers/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = April 19, 2015 |access-date = February 10, 2015 }}</ref> tolls removed, effective April 5, 2022<ref name=removed>{{cite news |last1 = Alberga |first1 = Hannah |title = 'Unfair tolls': Ford officially scraps tolls on two Ontario highways |url = https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/unfair-tolls-ford-officially-scraps-tolls-on-two-ontario-highways-1.5848552 |access-date = April 6, 2022 |work = CTV News Toronto |date = April 5, 2022 |language = en |archive-date = April 6, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220406060958/https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/unfair-tolls-ford-officially-scraps-tolls-on-two-ontario-highways-1.5848552 |url-status = live }}</ref>
}}
{{routelist row|local
Line 983 ⟶ 406:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|Hwy|417|nosh=y}} in [[Ottawa]]
|established = 1999-09-23
|established_ref = <ref name="opened416">{{cite news |title = Ottawa Highway Link Opens |agency = Canadian Press |work = Toronto Star |date = September 24, 1999 |department = Ontario |page = A4 }}</ref>
|notes = none
}}
Line 1,014 ⟶ 430:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|Hwy|407|nosh=y}} in Clarington
|established = 2019-12-09
|established_ref = <ref name="opened418">{{cite news |title = Extension of Ontario Hwy. 407, new Hwy. 418 open east of Toronto |newspaper = On-Site Magazine |date = December 9, 2019 |publisher = On-Site |url = https://www.on-sitemag.com/roads/extension-of-ontario-hwy-407-new-hwy-418-open-east-of-toronto/1003966229/ |access-date = December 11, 2019 |quote = An eastern extension of Ontario Hwy. 407 and a new toll road to connect the lengthened highway to nearby Hwy. 401 opened Dec. 9 on the outskirts of Toronto. |archive-date = December 12, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212074428/https://www.on-sitemag.com/roads/extension-of-ontario-hwy-407-new-hwy-418-open-east-of-toronto/1003966229/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
| notes = Route number assigned February 5, 2015.<ref name="Numbered" /> tolls removed, effective April 5, 2022<ref name=removed/>
}}
Line 1,049 ⟶ 454:
|terminus_b = {{jcon|York|25|nosh=y}} (Major Mackenzie Drive) in [[Vaughan]]
|established = 1971-12-04
|established_ref = <ref name="assumed427">{{cite news |title = Highway 27 Interchange Fully in Service |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto |date = December 4, 1971 |page = 5 }}</ref>
|notes = 6.6 km (4.1 mi) extension to Regional Road 25 (Major Mackenzie Drive) opened September 18, 2021
}}
{{routelist row|local
Line 1,095 ⟶ 494:
=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title = From Footpaths to Freeways |last1 = Shragge |first1 = John |last2 = Bagnato |first2 = Sharon |publisher = Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Historical Committee |year = 1984 |isbn = 0-7743-9388-2 }}
* {{cite book |title = QEW: Canada's First Superhighway |last = Stamp |first = Robert M. |publisher = The Boston Mills Press |year = 1987 |isbn = 0-919783-84-8 }}
* {{cite book |title = Bridging the Border: Structures of Canadian–American Relations |first = Robert M. |last = Stamp |publisher = Dundurn Press |year = 1992 |location = Toronto |isbn = 1-55002-074-9 }}
* {{cite book
| title = '401' The Macdonald–Cartier Freeway
| |||