Commuters and residents across the eastern Greater Toronto Area should prepare for significant travel disruptions as a fresh wave of Durham highway closures begins this week. According to the latest data from Ontario 511 and the Ministry of Transportation, eleven separate roadwork projects are scheduled to impact major provincial highways. These maintenance efforts, ranging from short-term repairs to emergency infrastructure work, are set to create bottlenecks on Highway 401, Highway 12, and the Highway 7/12 corridor.
Highway 401 Bottlenecks in Pickering and Oshawa
The most heavily trafficked sections of the 401 will see multiple lane reductions. In Pickering, nightly work between Whites Road and Liverpool Road will see a left lane closed starting April 7 at midnight. Furthermore, those using the westbound express lanes near Port Union Road should expect continuous alternating closures of two lanes beginning the night of April 9.
In Oshawa, both eastbound and westbound traffic between Stevenson Road and Simcoe Street will face nightly left-lane closures. These disruptions are scheduled to start at 9 p.m. on April 8 and last until the early morning of April 10. These specific Durham highway closures are expected to cause significant delays for evening commuters and late-shift workers.
Impact on Clarington and Newcastle
Further east, Clarington and Newcastle residents will also face daytime delays. A notable daily closure is scheduled for Highway 401 westbound between Morgans Road and Mill Street in Newcastle, where one right lane will be out of commission from April 8 to April 9. Additionally, an alternating lane closure will affect the eastbound 401 between the Highway 35/115 interchange and Boundary Road in Port Hope, running daily from April 7 to April 9.
Northern Durham and Scugog Disruptions
It isn’t just the 401 seeing activity; northern routes are also part of the Durham highway closures initiative. In Port Perry, Highway 7/12 will see right-lane closures between Reach Road and Scugog Township Line 8, and further north toward Highway 47. These projects are scheduled for the week of April 13.
Meanwhile, travelers using Highway 12 between Ramara and Orillia will encounter a series of nightly alternating lane closures starting as early as April 7. These works are phased to continue through late April, affecting those traveling toward the northern boundaries of the region near Brock.
Planning Your Commute
The Ministry of Transportation reminds motorists that while these Durham highway closures are planned, they are subject to change based on weather conditions or emergency requirements. Drivers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time or seek alternative routes such as Highway 2 or regional roads through Ajax and Whitby to bypass the most congested highway segments. Staying informed through real-time traffic apps is highly recommended to avoid gridlock before it happens.
