Drivers across Durham Region should plan for significant delays this week as 29 highway closures take effect for planned roadwork starting May 4, 2026.
The closures span multiple provincial highways including the 401, 407 ETR, 412, Highway 7/12, Highway 12, and Highway 35, affecting commuters in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and Scugog.
The largest disruption involves nightly closures on Highway 401 eastbound between Brock Road in Pickering and Harmony Road in Oshawa. Two alternating lanes will be shut down from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily through May 6. The westbound stretch between Harmony Road and Brock Road faces similar nightly two-lane closures through May 7.
In Whitby, Highway 412 will see daily alternating lane closures in both directions between Highway 401 and Highway 407 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through May 8. The Highway 407 ETR also has alternating lane closures eastbound and westbound between Ajax and Oshawa during the same period.
Several on-ramps and off-ramps along Highway 401 are affected throughout the week. In Pickering, the westbound off-ramp at Brock Road and the eastbound off-ramp at Brock Road both have daily alternating lane closures. The westbound off-ramp at Liverpool Road is also restricted through May 6.
Ajax drivers face ramp closures at Salem Road, Westney Road, and the eastbound on-ramp at Salem Road. The eastbound on-ramp at Westney Road has alternating lane closures from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily through May 7.
Whitby ramps at Brock Street, Thickson Road, and Lake Ridge Road all have scheduled daily closures with alternating lanes restricted during daytime hours.
In Scugog, Highway 7/12 has right lane closures in both directions between Port Perry and Scugog from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through May 7. Highway 12 northbound near Orillia also has nightly alternating lane closures scheduled in three separate windows through May 23.
Highway 35 northbound in Pontypool has a long-term alternating lane closure between Boundary Road and Telecom Road that remains in effect until December 23.
The Durham highway closures are scheduled by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for short-term repairs and maintenance. Drivers should check Ontario 511 for real-time updates, as closures may change due to weather or emergencies.
With 29 Durham highway closures in effect, commuters are advised to allow extra travel time, use alternate routes where possible, and reduce speeds in construction zones. Fines are doubled in work zones when workers are present.
Plan your route ahead and stay safe on Durham roads this week.
