Short-term closures in Oshawa for crane work and tree removal
The City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham have issued a series of road restrictions across Oshawa, Pickering and the Township of Scugog that will affect commuters, local businesses and nearby institutions over the coming days and months.
In Oshawa, the most immediate impact is a hard closure of Athol Street West for tower crane erection at 39 Athol Street West. The city said the street will be closed to through traffic from Oct. 21 until Oct. 30, with no through access available for emergency vehicles. The closure extends between Centre Street North and Simcoe Street North, with the hard closure located directly in front of 39 Athol Street.
- Full access will be retained to the Michael Starr building.
- The road will be reopened on weekends during the closure period.
The city described the closure as required to safely erect a tower crane at the site and apologised for any inconvenience.
"The road closure is required for tower crane erection at 39 Athol Street West," the city said.
Single-day Charles Street closure to support tree removal
Also in Oshawa, Charles Street will be closed to through traffic on Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closure will affect the segment between Bruce Street and Athol Street East. The city noted that no through access will be available for emergency vehicles during that interval.
Local access to the Ontario Tech University parking lot and the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) parking lot will be maintained, the city said. The short-term closure is required to facilitate tree removal operations associated with the Tribute Communities Centre project.
Regional lane restrictions in Pickering and Scugog
Outside Oshawa, the Region of Durham outlined two longer-duration worksites that will require lane restrictions:
- Pickering: lane restrictions at the intersection of Westney Road and Concession Road 6 from Oct. 20 until Nov. 15 for intersection modifications.
- Scugog: lane restrictions on Regional Highway 47 from Oct. 19 to June 30, 2027, between 230 metres east of Lake Ridge Road (Regional Road 23) and 250 metres west of Highway 12, to replace a culvert, complete ditching improvements and carry out asphalt resurfacing and paving.
The region noted the Scugog work will pause from Dec. 15, 2026, to May 5, 2027, and that unfavourable weather could affect scheduling. Temporary daily lane restrictions will be used throughout the Scugog project to carry out the work safely and efficiently.
What to expect and how long works will affect travel
Drivers should expect delays and plan alternate routes where possible. The city and region have emphasised that some closures will not permit emergency vehicle through access, which could affect emergency response routing in the immediate area while closures are in effect.
| Location | Work | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Athol Street West (Centre St N to Simcoe St N) | Tower crane erection at 39 Athol Street West; hard closure | Oct. 21–Oct. 30 (reopens on weekends) |
| Charles Street (Bruce St to Athol St E) | Tree removal for Tribute Communities Centre project | Oct. 21, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Westney Rd & Concession Rd 6, Pickering | Intersection modifications | Oct. 20–Nov. 15 |
| Regional Hwy 47, Township of Scugog | Culvert replacement, ditching, resurfacing and paving | Oct. 19–Jun. 30, 2027 (pause Dec. 15–May 5) |
Residents and commuters should monitor notices from the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham for any updates or changes to timing. Both municipal bodies have acknowledged the potential disruption and asked for public patience while the safety-critical work proceeds.
