Drivers should prepare for overnight lane restrictions and brief traffic stoppages on several provincial highways across Durham Region beginning Sunday, July 26.
The planned Durham highway closures affect sections of Highway 401 in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington, along with Highway 7, Highway 7A, Highway 12 and Highway 35/115.
Most of the scheduled work involves one or two lane closures rather than complete highway shutdowns. Construction schedules can also change because of weather, operational requirements or emergency conditions.
Durham Highway Closures on Highway 401
Some of the most significant restrictions are scheduled along Highway 401.
In Pickering, one westbound lane is scheduled to close nightly between Brock Road and Whites Road from July 26 at 10 p.m. until July 31 at 5 a.m.
A westbound express lane will also close nightly between Brock Road in Pickering and the Rouge River at the Toronto boundary during the same period.
Eastbound Highway 401 between Brock Road and Stevenson Road in Oshawa will have one alternating lane closed nightly from July 26 at 10 p.m. until July 31 at 6 a.m.
Westbound Highway 401 between Stevenson Road and Brock Road will face a similar alternating-lane closure beginning July 26 at 9 p.m.
Drivers travelling through Ajax should expect continued construction near Westney Road. Four alternating express lanes in both directions are listed for overnight work through July 31. The exact lanes available may change as crews move through the work zone.
Oshawa Drivers Face Brief Full Stops
Additional Highway 401 work is planned between Ritson Road and Harmony Road in Oshawa.
Two eastbound lanes are scheduled to close nightly from July 26 at 9 p.m. until July 30 at 6 a.m.
Two westbound lanes between Harmony Road and Ritson Road will close nightly from July 26 at 8 p.m. until July 30 at 5 a.m.
The schedule also includes OPP-assisted full traffic stoppages lasting approximately 15 minutes in both directions. The brief eastbound stops are expected between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while westbound stops may occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Motorists should be prepared to stop and follow instructions from police officers and construction workers.
Clarington Highway Work Continues
Alternating lane restrictions remain scheduled on Highway 401 between Oshawa and Clarington.
Eastbound traffic between Harmony Road and Boundary Road may encounter nightly work through July 31. Westbound traffic between Highway 35/115 and Harmony Road is affected during a similar period.
Highway 35/115 also has alternating southbound lane restrictions between Highway 35 and Highway 401. Northbound restrictions are scheduled between Highway 401 and the Highway 35 split.
These projects may affect motorists travelling through Courtice, Bowmanville and the eastern part of Clarington.
Northern Durham Lane Restrictions
Drivers in northern Durham should also expect ongoing roadwork.
Highway 7 and Highway 12 have overnight right-lane restrictions between Brooklin, Sunderland and Brock Township.
Highway 7A eastbound between Highway 7/12 and Nesbitt Line near Port Perry is scheduled to have one right lane closed nightly through July 31.
Additional restrictions affect Highway 12 between the Highway 7 junction in Whitby and the Highway 48 junction in Brock. Highway 48 southbound work is also listed between Beaverton and Markham.
Check Conditions Before Travelling
The Durham highway closures are planned and may be changed, postponed or cancelled.
Drivers should consult Ontario 511 shortly before travelling for current provincial-highway information. Durham Region’s Traffic Watch map can be used to review construction, emergencies and closures on regional and municipal roads.
Motorists approaching work zones should reduce speed, leave additional space and watch for narrow lanes, construction vehicles and police-directed stops.
