Commuters in Pickering and throughout the Durham Region are being advised to prepare for a major long-term traffic disruption. The City of Pickering has confirmed that the eastbound Highway 401 on-ramp at Brock Road will be fully closed for approximately six months, starting April 14, 2026. This closure is a critical component of the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) ongoing rehabilitation project for the Brock Road and Highway 401 bridge and CN overpass.
Construction Phases and Detours
The closure is part of “Stage 4” of the rehabilitation project, which focuses on the east side of Brock Road and the aging bridge structures. To prepare for the full six-month shutdown, nightly closures of the ramp will begin on April 7, 2026, occurring between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Once the full closure takes effect on April 14, motorists traveling from Oshawa, Whitby, or Ajax who typically use the Brock Road entrance will need to utilize alternate access points. The MTO recommends using the following eastbound Highway 401 on-ramps:
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Whites Road in Pickering
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Westney Road in Ajax
In addition to the ramp closure, traffic on Brock Road itself will be reduced to just two lanes in each direction through the construction zone, likely leading to significant delays during peak rush hours.
Additional Regional Infrastructure Projects
The ramp rehabilitation is just one of several major infrastructure projects currently converging in the area. The City of Pickering is coordinating with various agencies to manage the cumulative impact on traffic:
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Brock Road & Bayly Street Improvements: Starting in July 2026, work will begin to add a second southbound left-turn lane on Brock Road and extend turning lanes on Bayly Street to support traffic for the Durham Live site.
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Construction for the Durham-Scarborough BRT segment from Steeple Hill to Merritton Road is slated for July 2026, which will eventually introduce dedicated bus lanes along Kingston Road.
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Pickering Nuclear Refurbishment: Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is ramping up for the massive refurbishment of the nuclear station. Phase 2 of road upgrades on Sandy Beach Road and Montgomery Park Road is scheduled to commence this month (April 2026) to handle increased heavy-equipment traffic.
Planning Your Commute
The City of Pickering warns that timelines for the Brock Road ramp closure could change if the province decides to add a dedicated northbound right-turn lane to the project scope. Residents and business owners are encouraged to visit the city’s dedicated “Brock Road Corridor & Vicinity” project page for real-time updates.
With multiple projects affecting Pickering, Ajax, and the surrounding townships of Uxbridge and Scugog, drivers are urged to allow for extra travel time and strictly follow posted detour signage. These upgrades, while disruptive, are essential for maintaining the safety of the region’s most critical transportation corridor and supporting the long-term economic growth of the Durham Region.
