Ontario is revising its plans for the speed limit on the westbound lanes of Highway 402 in Sarnia after safety concerns were voiced by local officials.
Jul 29, 2026 •
The speed limit on westbound Highway 402, located east of Blackwell Road in Sarnia, seen here on July 29, 2026, will not increase to 110 km/h and will instead drop to 90 km/h as it gets closer to the border. (Paul Morden/The Observer)
Ontario’s Transportation Ministry has stated that it altered its plans for the speed limit in the westbound lanes of Highway 402 in Sarnia due to raised safety concerns from local officials.
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The ministry had previously announced in June that a section of the highway would see its speed limit increase to 110 km/h from 350 metres east of Colborne Road to Waterworks Road starting July 31, as part of a broader initiative across Ontario to raise speed limits on certain sections of highways.
Both Point Edward’s OPP detachment board and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley requested Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria reconsider this decision. This week, the minister responded in letters to both parties announcing a new “stepped down” posted speed limit plan for an 11-km stretch of westbound Highway 402 leading up to the Blue Water Bridge, which includes a newly established zone at 90 km/h.
<p The speed limit will increase as initially planned to reach 110 km/h on the eastbound lanes starting at a point located just beyond Colborne Road by about 300 metres, according to Sarkaria's letters.
However, the westbound lanes will maintain a speed limit of 100 km/h from just past Blackwell Road all the way through Modeland Road. Additionally, there will be a new reduced zone set at a speed limit of 90 km/h stretching from Modeland Road to about 300 metres east of Colborne Road, as noted by the minister.
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The speed limit will remain at a steady pace of 70 km/h between Colborne Road and the Blue Water Bridge.
“Adding this extra step-down zone is definitely a positive move,” expressed Greg Grimes, chairperson for Point Edward police board and deputy mayor.
“It signals drivers that there may be potential hazards ahead as they start adjusting their driving near the international border,” he added.
“We achieved what we set out for,” Bradley said referring to Sarkaria’s recent decision.”I appreciate them hearing our concerns and I hope they continue doing so moving forward,” he added. Bradley also noted ongoing issues concerning trucks obstructing lanes for other drivers along this highway.
“The ministry promises they’ll keep track of travel speeds along Highway 402 and make any necessary improvements aimed at ensuring safe travel throughout this corridor,” Sarkaria said in his letter. Grimes shared his satisfaction alongside fellow police board members regarding how well Sarkaria responded positively after hearing their feedback. “Typically these planning decisions get made years ahead and once rolled out it’s usually too late.”<p In June , the ministry indicated raising limits across multiple segments was based on previous successful adjustments made back in twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-two. pmorden Read More
Study needed before increasing Highway 402 speed limit: Point Edward OPP detachment board
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“Adding this extra step-down zone is definitely a positive move,” expressed Greg Grimes, chairperson for Point Edward police board and deputy mayor.
“It signals drivers that there may be potential hazards ahead as they start adjusting their driving near the international border,” he added.
The busy highway route through town leading up towards Michigan sees heavy traffic from commercial trucks and various other vehicles. It often faces slowdowns or halts due to delays at border crossings.
Over time there have been severe accidents along this stretch including fatal collisions.
This situation can lead to crashes when drivers-especially those unfamiliar with traffic patterns-approach quickly toward border zones.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ”The faster you drive, the slower your reaction times are,” Grimes mentioned.“We achieved what we set out for,” Bradley said referring to Sarkaria’s recent decision.”I appreciate them hearing our concerns and I hope they continue doing so moving forward,” he added. Bradley also noted ongoing issues concerning trucks obstructing lanes for other drivers along this highway.
“The ministry promises they’ll keep track of travel speeds along Highway 402 and make any necessary improvements aimed at ensuring safe travel throughout this corridor,” Sarkaria said in his letter. Grimes shared his satisfaction alongside fellow police board members regarding how well Sarkaria responded positively after hearing their feedback. “Typically these planning decisions get made years ahead and once rolled out it’s usually too late.”<p In June , the ministry indicated raising limits across multiple segments was based on previous successful adjustments made back in twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-two. pmorden Read More
Study needed before increasing Highway 402 speed limit: Point Edward OPP detachment boardSpeed Limit Of Hwy.401 Through Southwestern Ontario Set To Hit110km / h
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