Durham Region is advising residents of a significant road closure on Zephyr Road (Regional Road 13) in the Township of Uxbridge to replace the Laurie Bridge, effective May 4 through November 30, 2026.
The closure will be in place from Concession Road 5 to Concession Road 6 in the Township of Uxbridge, effectively shutting down that stretch of the regional road for approximately seven months while construction crews work to replace the aging bridge structure and upgrade the surrounding roadway infrastructure.
The comprehensive project involves fully replacing the existing Laurie Bridge structure, installing a new modern guide rail system along the roadway approaches, applying new pavement markings, and completing landscaping work around the bridge site to restore the surrounding environment once construction is finished.
Durham Region acknowledges that the extended road closure will be disruptive to local residents and commuters who regularly use Zephyr Road as a key through route in the rural Uxbridge area. The Region has committed to making every effort to complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize the impact on the surrounding community during the lengthy construction period.
Drivers who normally travel on Zephyr Road between Concession Road 5 and Concession Road 6 will need to plan alternative routes well in advance. Local detour signage will be posted to help guide traffic around the closure zone. The Region is asking all drivers to exercise extra caution in the area for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and construction work crews who will be actively working on and around the bridge site throughout the entire duration of the project from spring through late fall.
The Laurie Bridge replacement is part of Durham Region’s ongoing infrastructure investment program designed to maintain and upgrade regional roads and bridges across all eight area municipalities. Aging bridge infrastructure is a growing concern across Ontario municipalities, with many structures originally built decades ago now requiring significant rehabilitation or full replacement to meet current engineering safety standards and accommodate the higher modern traffic volumes experienced across Durham Region.
Residents and business owners seeking more information about the Laurie Bridge replacement project can visit durham.ca/Laurie-Bridge-replacement for detailed project updates, expected construction timelines, and answers to frequently asked questions about the road closure and recommended detour routes for both local and through traffic in the Uxbridge area.
To view a live interactive map of all current construction projects across Durham Region and access up-to-date traffic information in real time, residents can visit durham.ca/TrafficWatch. The online tool provides current details about road closures, active construction zones, and traffic conditions throughout Durham Region to help commuters plan their routes efficiently.
The Zephyr Road closure is one of several major infrastructure projects planned for Durham Region in 2026 as the region continues to invest in its transportation network to serve a rapidly expanding population across all eight municipalities including Uxbridge, Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Brock, and Scugog.
For media inquiries about the Laurie Bridge replacement project, residents can contact Durham Region Corporate Communications at 905-668-7711 or visit the Region of Durham website for additional contact information.
