Coming Soon: Ontario’s Very Own HOT Lanes
Monday morning brought big news for Ontario drivers: Part of the QEW’s HOV lane is going to be converted to a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane. Details from the Ministry of Transportation’s recent release say that the HOT lane will run for 16.5 km, in both directions, from Trafalgar Road in Oakville to Guelph Line in Burlington.
The change means that the lane will no longer be reserved solely for the carpoolers of the road, although they can still use the lane for free. But if Ontario drivers are willing to fork over an extra fee, they can cruise through the HOT lane without any passengers at all.
Following the HOT models used by U.S. cities like Atlanta and Seattle, Ontario believes HOT lanes will help relieve traffic congestion. But not everyone is convinced. Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and the New Democrats have already voiced their concerns, one being that the HOT lane will cater only to the wealthy.
But Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca has responded that it’s too early to speculate on pricing. He says the QEW conversion is a pilot project that will inform the planning of additional HOT lanes. However, Ontario has already announced plans to build new HOT lanes on Highway 427. They will run south of Highway 409 and north of Rutherford Road.
According to CBC News, Ontario predicts that these HOT lanes will pull in an annual carpooling count of 36 million vehicles. Meanwhile, Ontario expects that close to 5 million vehicles a year will pay the fee and ride solo through the HOT lanes.
As plans for Ontario’s first HOT lane move forward, permits to use the lane will become available. But these permits will be limited. If you want to forego traffic and be among the first to test the new lane, keep your eye on the developing details.
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