Ontario’s bilingual electronic highway signs going colour

dont-follow-too-close-signONTARIO is introducing bilingual, full-colour electronic highway signs that include images to help keep drivers safe and manage traffic conditions.

The use of colour, along with internationally-recognized images and symbols, with less text on the new signs allows drivers to easily see important road safety information and react to traffic conditions or choose alternate routes.

attention-snow-signTwenty-one signs have already been introduced in southern Ontario, including on Highway 401 near Toronto and Pickering, and QEW near Niagara, Burlington and Mississauga, as well as seven signs in northeastern Ontario, on Highway 11 and Highway 17.

Strengthening the province’s transportation network is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario.

  • The new bilingual signs in French designated areas meet the requirements of the French Language Services Act.
  • The signs are manufactured at Ledstar, an Ontario-based company located in Vaughan that employs 42 people.
  • In total, there are about 50 variable message signs that will gradually transition to the new sign type as they reach the end of their lifecycle.

“Highways are crucial to the province’s economic prosperity and help keep people and businesses moving. The state-of-the-art, bilingual signs with images will help all drivers easily understand road conditions and safety messages. Ontario is taking the next step in keeping our roads safer,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation.

“This is the first bilingual, image-based signage plan to be delivered provincewide in Canada. Ontario is committed to making important road safety information accessible to all residents, regardless of their spoken language,” said Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.