The Point Edward OPP Detachment Board is calling on the province to pause plans to increase the speed limit along a section of Highway 402, approaching the Blue Water Bridge, until a comprehensive safety review is completed.
The Ford government announced plans to increase the speed limit to 110 kilometres per hour from Waterworks Road to 350 metres east of Colborne Road in Sarnia, as of July 31.
Board Chair Greg Grimes said they believe the decision fails to recognize the unique characteristics of this corridor, as it's different from a typical rural highway.
"It's a very busy section of Highway 402. We felt like we were making some headway with some of the improvements... enhanced signage, better use of the overhead signs, no trucks in the left lane, and the speed limit reduction, and felt that it was becoming a safer corridor for both passenger vehicles and commercial," he said. "The announcement that they were increasing the speed limit in that section of the highway felt like a step backwards."
Grimes said there have been several incidents reported along the stretch of highway over the past 10 years. In 2023, a collision near Modeland Road claimed the lives of two people.
"One collision is one too many," he said.
Grimes said in his opinion, the current gradual speed reduction approaching the international crossing works.
"It's alerting drivers as they go from 110 km/hr to 100 km/hr that you're in a more congested or built-up area, and there may be hazards ahead when it drops to 70 km/hr.," he said. "To go from 110 km/hr to 70 km/hr is a big jump in a short period of time."
He also said motorists often become distracted as they approach the Blue Water Bridge, looking for their passports and wallets, while maneuvering around commercial trucks, which emphasizes the need to slow down.
"The faster you go, the longer it takes to stop, the longer it takes to react, and the seriousness of a collision increases," he said.
In a letter sent to Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria on Monday, the board asked the province to defer the implementation; maintain the existing speed limit until a comprehensive review can be completed; and to meet with representatives of the board, the Village of Point Edward and local emergency service partners to discuss concerns.
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, members of the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, the Sarnia Police Service Board, the Village of Point Edward, and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley were copied in the email.
Bradley has also voiced concerns about the speed limit increase.
