History of King's Highway 8A (Niagara):
King's Highway 8A was a short collector highway connecting the Queenston-Lewiston International Bridge to Highway 8 at St. David's. The highway was first
established in 1918, when the road from Hamilton to Queenston was designated as a new provincial highway. When highway numbers were first assigned to
Ontario's Provincial Highways in 1925, the section of the Hamilton-Queenston Highway between Queenston and St. David's was designated as Highway 8A. The
route of Highway 8A changed only slightly during its 52-year existence. The highway's eastern terminus was shifted a short distance to the south upon the
completion and official opening of the new Queenston-Lewiston International Bridge on November 1, 1962. The rest of the highway's route remained unmodified
up until 1970, when the ownership of the route was transferred from the Province of Ontario to the newly-formed Regional Municipality of Niagara.
Former Highway 8A is now known as Niagara Regional Road 81. It is a two-lane road from Queenston to St. David's. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit
on this former provincial highway is 80 km/h (50 mph). Services are located in St. David's. Please note that motorists can no longer access the
Queenston-Lewiston Bridge from Former Highway 8A. The ramp leading onto Eastbound Highway 405 at the Niagara Parkway was closed off several years ago. To
reach the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, turn south at St. David's onto St. Paul Avenue and watch for signs directing traffic towards the Highway 405
Interchange at Stanley Avenue.
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