Construction on Major Transit Line May Delay Travel in Ontario

A new transit line linking Toronto and the Durham Region is set to start construction, which might lead to some travel delays.

This week, the Durham Region, which includes municipalities like Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, and Whitby located east of Toronto, announced that work on the third segment of the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit will begin along Kingston Road (Regional Highway 2) from Steeple Hill to Merritton Road in Pickering.

Construction is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 28 and will last around two years, aiming for completion by Aug. 31, 2028.

The region noted that bad weather could affect the timeline of the project.

The DSBRT spans roughly 36 kilometers and will serve areas including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and Scarborough. According to regional officials, by 2030 it will offer frequent five-minute service during peak times and 10-to-30-minute service during off-peak hours. It will also feature dedicated bus lanes and signal priority measures which should save up to 20 minutes on transit trips along the corridor.

Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), key segments are being designed and built in Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby.

In a news release, officials stated that starting this month there will be lane shifts and restrictions on Kingston Road between Steeple Hill and Merritton Road throughout the construction period. From late October 2026 until summer 2027, Kingston Road will have one lane for eastbound traffic and two lanes for westbound traffic for an extended duration due to major wastewater work.

Lanes on Kingston Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction at Whites Road and Fairport Road intersections for longer periods starting in late 2027 as new transit stop platforms are built.

The region assured that bus routes and stops would remain operational as well as sidewalks and businesses. Drivers are encouraged to be cautious in construction zones while being aware of crews working nearby as well as cyclists and pedestrians at all times.

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Bus Rapid Transit or BRT refers to a system where buses operate in their own dedicated lanes. This infrastructure fully separates buses from regular traffic while having fewer stops compared to standard bus routes so they can maintain higher average speeds.

The portion of the $1 billion-plus Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project located in Ajax is expected to open next fall with transit stops also planned for Pickering shortly thereafter.

This project includes building median bus stations at eleven intersections through Ajax and Pickering with work commencing at Salem Road followed by Harwood Avenue, Ritchie/Chapman roads, and Westney Road. After completing each station structure approximately every eight weeks more structures are expected afterwards.

– With files from Glenn Hendry

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