Ontario Highway Service Centres Closures
Ontario is rebuilding Ontario's Highway Service Centres to serve you better
There are 23 service centres in Southern Ontario located along Highways 400 and 401. The majority were built in the 1960s. Travellers can rest, buy fuel and food and use public telephones, washrooms, picnic areas and drinking fountains. Centres are open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, year round.
Over the next five years, Ontario’s Highway Service Centres are being modernized to improve your travelling experience. This will require temporary closings.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause drivers, but drivers can rest assured that the results will be worth waiting for. Check back often for updates on our transformation. And, watch for the exciting reopening of Ontario’s new service centres.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why is Ontario closing its service centres?
Ontario’s highway service centres are being rebuilt and modernized to serve motorists better. The majority of leases are about to expire. The centres are outdated and need repairs. We are working hard to minimize any disruptions and will provide limited interim services wherever possible.
Q: Which service centres are closed and what services are currently offered?
As leases expire, service centres will be closing temporarily. If a service centre is temporarily closed, every effort will be made to have the next one on the highway open to serve you although there may be some short periods when this is not be possible.
The service centre at Tilbury North (westbound) and Tilbury South (eastbound) between Windsor and Chatham-Kent have reopened with the following interim amenities:
Parking for cars and trucks - giving drivers an opportunity to rest Accessible washrooms and water (in portable buildings where necessary) Vending machines currently available at Tilbury South only (coming in the near future at Tilbury North)
The following locations along Highway 401 are currently closed:
- Bainsville (westbound Shell) near the Quebec/Ontario border
- Morrisburg (eastbound Shell) between Prescott (Highway 416) and Cornwall
- West Lorne (westbound Petro Canada) between London and Chatham-Kent
- Dutton (eastbound Shell) between Chatham-Kent and London
- Trenton North (westbound Shell) between Trenton and Cobourg
During the construction period, service centres will operate with limited services. Fuel service will not be available. Signs posted along the highway will provide information about full-service locations.
Information on all future closures will be added to this site as the dates become imminent.
Q: How long will the service centres be closed?
We expect to select a new service provider early in 2009 to take over operation of all highway service centres in Ontario. In the meantime, some of the existing facilities must be closed to prepare the site for future redevelopment.
Q: How will the public be notified of upcoming closures in their area?
Signs posted along the highway will inform drivers of temporary closures and provide alternate service locations. Posters will also be available on-site before the service centre is scheduled to be closed to provide drivers with information about upcoming closures and interim services.
Q: What services will be available?
We are working hard to minimize impacts to the travelling public during the transition. Interim services will include parking, washrooms, water, telephones and limited food services.
Q: Where can drivers stop and rest?
We will re-open the service centres as soon as possible to provide opportunities to stop and rest. When one site is temporarily closed, every effort will be made to have the next service centre open to provide services to the public. Services are also available at many highway exits.
Q: How much will this redevelopment project cost?
The new vendor will be responsible for the costs of redeveloping, operating and maintaining the service centres.
Although each bidder will have to deliver the required services and meet provincial performance measures, it is anticipated that each submission will reflect a different vision for meeting and enhancing these requirements. Not only will the province not have to invest taxpayer dollars into redeveloping and maintaining this vital government service, but it will also receive significant value in redeveloped site facilities, improved quality and quantity of services and enhanced ability to meet road safety objectives.
Q:How will the redevelopment project benefit drivers?
Ontario’s highway service centres are being redeveloped to serve motorists better. New service centres will be modernized with improved amenities. They will provide travellers with a safe place to park and rest, buy fuel and food and use public telephones, washrooms, picnic areas and drinking fountains.
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Last modified: February 11, 2009