The 411 on Highway 11

When the four laning of Highway 11 is complete, council would like to see the highway renamed Highway 411.

Monday night, council passed a motion asking the provincial government to re-designate Highway 11, north of Barrie, into a 400 series highway after the completion of the four laning in 2012.

“We hear over and over again about the North being disjointed from the Southern Ontario,” Coun. Dave Mendicino said.

“In my mind the re-designation provides a link between the two.”

Mendicino explained the province set a precedent for the re-designation when they agreed to allow the reconstructed Highway 69 to carry a 400 name.

“To me it just makes sense; once you finish the 400, you’re on the 411.”

He added having a 400 designation would aid the City as a marketing tool for economic development because the 400 series highways is one of the most well known highway designations in North America.

“When you see a 400 highway, you know it has four lanes,” Mendicino said.

“When we’re marketing the city, that designation alone adds a little bit more credibility.”