Ontario Highway 140 History - The King's Highways of Ontario

King's Highway 140 is an arterial highway in the Regional Municipality of Niagara which connects East Main Street in Welland to Highway 3 in Port Colborne. The highway passes through mostly rural areas along its short route. The history of Highway 140 dates back to the 1960s, when the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority announced plans to relocate a substantial section of the Welland Canal across the Niagara Peninsula. As a result of the proposed canal construction, many local roads would need to be severed. In a 1964 Highway Planning Study, the Department of Highways of Ontario (DHO) concluded that the construction of a new highway link on the eastern side of the relocated Welland Canal would be required to improve traffic circulation. As originally proposed, the new East Side Highway was to begin at Highway 3 just east of Port Colborne and connect with Highway 20 & Highway 58 at Black Horse Corners, just south of Thorold. The first section of the new East Side Highway between Welland and Port Colborne was designated as King's Highway 140 by an Order-in-Council in 1969. The first of four construction contracts to build Highway 140 was tendered in 1970. Within two years, the new highway had been constructed along the eastern side of the new Welland Canal. This work also included the construction of a new highway tunnel beneath the relocated Welland Canal. This tunnel linked Highway 140 to the proposed route of Highway 406, which was slowly being extended south from Thorold towards Welland. Highway 140 was completed and opened to traffic between Highway 3 and East Main Street in 1972. The balance of the route of the East Side Highway from Welland to Black Horse Corners that was envisioned back in 1964 was never actually constructed. Ultimately, it was felt that the existing road network was sufficient to carry the anticipated traffic volumes in the area and that the new highway link from Welland to Black Horse Corners was not needed. The route of Highway 140 has not changed since it was established in the 1970s.

Highway 140 is a two-lane limited-access highway from Welland to Port Colborne. While there are no interchanges located along the highway, there are very few major at-grade intersections. Services are located in both Welland and Port Colborne. The speed limit on Highway 140 is 80 km/h (50 mph), unless posted otherwise. Motorists wishing to access westbound Highway 58A should note that the turnoff for this route actually joins Highway 140 from the east. This is because Highway 58A loops around and passes beneath Highway 140 on its way to the Townline Tunnel at the Welland Canal. The East Main Street Tunnel provides access between Highway 140 and Highway 406 to St. Catharines. This tunnel passes below the Welland Canal and is operated by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). There are no tolls charged for using the East Main Street Tunnel. The highway connection through the tunnel between Highway 140 and Highway 406 has an unposted numerical designation (Highway 7146). Please visit the Highway 140 Mileage Chart page for a list of mileage reference points along Highway 140.