Be aware of construction zones around UOIT's north Oshawa location

As a new academic year begins at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), students, faculty and staff should be aware of ongoing road construction projects around the university’s north Oshawa location.

In most cases, the work being undertaken by the Region of Durham is to widen and upgrade key arterial roads in advance of the completion of the extension of Highway 407 between Brock Road in Pickering and Harmony Road in Oshawa. Traffic volumes are also expected to increase with further residential, commercial and industrial growth in north Oshawa.

During construction periods, motorists may notice heavier traffic volume during peak commuting times. Drivers should watch for detour notices, allow for extra travel time, and keep pedestrian safety in mind at all times. Public transit times and routes may also be temporarily affected.

Current construction zones as of September 1:

• Conlin Road West** is closed between Stevenson Road and Founders Drive.
• Harmony Road North is closed (northbound and southbound) at Conlin Road (completion target: December 2014).
• Thornton Road North is closed between Winchester Road and Columbus Road.
• Thornton Road North is closed between Roselawn Avenue and Winchester Road.
• Ritson Road North is closed between Winchester Road and Columbus Road.

**Conlin Road (from Founders Drive to 250 metres west of Stevenson Road) will be closed to traffic until November, and again from May to August 2015. The work will include realignment and widening of Conlin Road, removal of existing bridges, construction of a new bridge and culvert, realignment of Oshawa Creek, new median features, and installation of new light standards and on-road cycling facilities. A temporary two-lane road within the construction zone will be available from December 2014 to April 2015. Please note: unforeseen circumstances could have an impact on the proposed schedule.

Future construction:

• Simcoe Street North between Conlin Road and Winchester Road, including reconstruction of the Simcoe/Conlin and the Simcoe/Winchester intersections (2015-2016).
• Highway 407 East extension (current target date: December 2015): Once completed, the Highway 407 extension will have new interchanges near the university: in Whitby at Baldwin Street and Thickson Road; and in Oshawa at Simcoe Street and Harmony Road. There will also be a Highway 407 interchange at Taunton Road along the 407’s West Durham Link (parallel to Lakeridge Road).

Helpful links:

• Region of Durham Regional Road Traffic Watch
• Highway 407 East website
• Durham Region Transit