High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to be expanded to Highway 400

Last week, it was announced the High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes will be expanded to Hwy. 400.

Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield said the next set of HOV lanes will be located on Hwy 404 from the 401 to Highway 7, which will be open next summer, the 417 in Ottawa, and then to the Barrie to Toronto stretch on Hwy. 400. Construction has already started on HOV lanes in both directions of the QEW between Oakville and Burlington.

Cansfield stated along the 400 area there is an anticipation of 33 per cent growth by

2025. She said with major developments in Barrie, Innisfil, East Gwillimbury and Bradford, the people have to keep moving to ease congestion.

The Ministry says people who use the HOV lanes on the 404 save an average 14 - 17 minutes on their commute, each way.

HOV lanes are designed for vehicles with two or more people in the, and yes kids count. Cars, minivans, motorcycles, taxis, limo's, trucks less than 6.5 metres in length, and all buses (with or without passengers) can use the HOV lanes.