Durham Highway Closures are expected to affect drivers across the region on Aug. 13, with dozens of planned lane restrictions and overnight construction projects scheduled on provincial highways.
The roadwork includes multiple sections of Highway 401 as well as Highway 12, Highway 35, Highway 35/115, Highway 7, Highway 7/12 and Highway 7A.
Motorists travelling through Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Scugog and Brock should allow additional travel time and watch for changing lane configurations.
Highway 401 sees widespread restrictions
Highway 401 accounts for many of the scheduled closures.
In Clarington, several eastbound and westbound lane restrictions are planned between Bowmanville Avenue, Soper Creek, Liberty Street and Highway 35/115.
Some of these restrictions involve one alternating lane, while others involve two lanes during overnight construction periods.
Additional Highway 401 restrictions are scheduled through Oshawa between Harmony Road, Ritson Road, Simcoe Street and Stevenson Road.
Drivers travelling through Ajax and Pickering will also encounter overnight work between Westney Road, Salem Road, Brock Road and Whites Road.
Several restrictions are scheduled to continue through Aug. 18 or later.
Ajax and Pickering drivers face overnight work
The Durham Highway Closures include major nighttime restrictions in Ajax and Pickering.
Highway 401 westbound between Salem Road and Brock Road is expected to have two alternating lanes closed overnight.
The eastbound lanes between Brock Road and Harwood Avenue are also subject to overnight restrictions.
Express lanes near Westney Road in Ajax are affected by multiple alternating closures, while westbound express traffic between Brock Road and the Rouge River is also impacted.
Drivers should expect reduced capacity during evening and overnight hours.
Oshawa closures include several Highway 401 sections
Oshawa motorists will see construction on several portions of Highway 401.
Scheduled restrictions include work between Ritson Road and Simcoe Street, Simcoe Street and Ritson Road, Harmony Road and Ritson Road, and Ritson Road and Harmony Road.
There is also continuing work between Harmony Road and Boundary Road east of Durham Region.
Some closures affect one lane, while others involve two alternating lanes.
Most overnight restrictions begin in the evening and reopen by early morning.
Whitby, Scugog and Brock also affected
Outside Highway 401, drivers in northern Durham should also expect disruptions.
Highway 7A near Port Perry has both daytime and nighttime lane closures scheduled between Highway 7/12, Regional Road 57 and Nesbitt Line Road.
Highway 7/12 and Highway 12 are also affected between Whitby and Brock, including routes through Sunderland and areas north of Brooklin.
Highway 7 has overnight lane restrictions between Whitby, Brock and the Markham boundary.
These projects mainly involve one right lane being closed during nighttime hours.
Highway 35/115 work continues in Clarington
Drivers using Highway 35/115 in Clarington should also prepare for restrictions.
Both northbound and southbound sections between Highway 401 and Highway 35 have alternating lane closures.
Some of the work continues during daytime hours, while other restrictions are scheduled overnight.
Motorists travelling toward Highway 401 should expect delays during active construction periods.
Drivers should check conditions before travelling
The Durham Highway Closures are part of planned Ministry of Transportation maintenance and construction work.
Closure times can change because of weather, emergency repairs or construction conditions.
Drivers should follow posted speed limits, watch for workers and equipment, and avoid sudden lane changes near work zones.
With 44 scheduled restrictions listed for Aug. 13, motorists using major Durham highways should consider checking Ontario 511 before leaving and allow extra time for travel.
