Construction Projects, Road Closures and Lane Restrictions

The Town of Whitby is responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Town roads. At times, we will need to close certain roads in order to complete construction projects.

Current Town Construction Projects

Check out the interactive map for ongoing construction projects in Whitby. Note that only Town projects are shown on this map. However, keep in mind that not all construction projects in Whitby are managed by the Town. Some are overseen by other entities like Bell, Rogers, developers, and Durham Region. For information on construction projects by the Region of Durham in Whitby, visit https://maps.durham.ca/PublicWorksMap/default.html.

Current Town Construction Projects - Updates

Columbus Road Widening – Contract 23-2025

Columbus Road will be closed from Country Lane to Cedarbrook Trail, to support the road’s expansion and future growth in Brooklin.

Work is expected to take about three years to complete, requiring ongoing co-ordination between many different agencies and utilities to get things done as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Detour routes will be posted, and all north/south roads crossing Columbus Road will be open during the closure.

This multi-year road improvement project is essential to prepare Brooklin and Whitby for future growth. With Whitby’s population expected to increase from about 140,000 to 190,000 by 2031, expanding the road will make sure homes built in the area are connected to reliable roads, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and bridges.

Here’s what the project involves:

Starting in August 2025, a new hydro (electric) pole line will be built along the south side of Columbus Road. The existing hydro lines will be moved to this new location so the road can be widened from 2 lanes to 5 lanes - and even wider at the intersections. Moving the hydro lines along this 2.2 kilometre stretch of road is a significant undertaking – and the first step of this project – and is expected to be completed by late-2025.

Once the hydro work is done, some trees and brush will be removed to make room for construction in late fall and winter in line with rules about migratory birds and species at risk. This work must be finished by April 1, 2026. During this time, other utility companies like Bell will also move or adjust their equipment.

Construction will ramp up in 2026, with building of three new water crossings/culverts, and the installation of major water and sewer lines.

Once the water crossings/culverts, watermains, and sewer work are finished, the expansion of the road will begin. That phase includes building the 2.2 km of road, three new signalized intersections, landscaping, surface work, and installing a new Enbridge gas line. New cycling lanes, multi-use paths, sidewalks, and other features will also be built during this time.

The project will be carried out by a Town-approved Contractor under the direction of Town of Whitby Construction Staff.

Due to the scope of the work involved, every effort to complete the construction work as quickly and efficiently as possible will be made; however, please note that unfavourable weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances may influence the work schedule. Areas that are disturbed by new construction work will be restored as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience as we work to build a more connected community.

Waterfront Trail Closure At Shirely Scott Park

Residents are advised of an approximately four-week closure to the Whitby Waterfront Trail through Shirley Scott Park (at Front and Brock Streets).

Effective Wednesday, July 23 a small section of trail through the park will close to the public to support the construction of a new pop-up visitor’s centre. Trail users can still access the waterfront trail along Front Street, reconnecting on Brock Street.

This project is funded through a federal Tourism Growth Program Grant.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our waterfront and visitor experience.

Urban Road Resurfacing Update – Contract T-501-2025

Please be advised that sod repair has been completed related to the Road Resurfacing Project that was administered by the Town of Whitby.

The Contractor has now fulfilled their contractual obligations related to sod replacement to the satisfaction of the Town of Whitby.

Maintenance of the sod is now the responsibility of the homeowner. Your assistance of watering the sod, along with natural precipitation will help lead to healthy lawn in the oncoming years.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Can't Find a Project?

Some roads within the Town of Whitby fall under other jurisdictions. For more information, you can visit:

Region of Durham construction map

Ministry of Transportation construction map

Construction Projects News

View the construction projects scheduled for the current year. We try to ensure that all construction projects are completed safely and efficiently. Please contact us if you have questions about projects on roads, sidewalks or multi-use paths in the Town of Whitby.

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Asbestos Removal From Roads

The Town’s annual road construction program includes things like the removal of existing asphalt, new asphalt pavement, road resurfacing, and more.

Like many municipalities, some older roads in Whitby have been found to contain asbestos fibres, which require care when being removed. Asbestos was a popular material widely used in asphalt mixes until the early 1980’s to improve the performance of the asphalt.

Here’s the five-step process the Town takes for safely removing asbestos fibers once they are identified in a road.

With the above process and safety precautions being implemented, the risk of exposure to asbestos for residents, workers, and bystanders is extremely low.

Assessment and Planning: conduct a thorough assessment to identify the extent of the asbestos fibres in the road. Develop a detailed removal plan, including safety protocols.
Notification and Communication: two notices are hand-delivered to area residents and community partners (ex. area school) to outline the process and timing for removal prior to the start of any road work. On-site signage is also prepared for install.
Site Preparation: set up a controlled work zone around the contaminated area. Implement safety measures.
Asbestos Removal: employ trained professionals to carefully remove asbestos fibres. Implement safety protocols to prevent airborne fibres, such as wetting pavement throughout the process.

Note: Residents may also notice those dealing directly with the asphalt material wearing personal protective equipment as a precaution. Residents who live in or frequent the area where work will be undertaken should avoid the immediate work site during the asphalt removal process.
Disposal and Cleanup: safely transport and dispose of asphalt containing asbestos at provincially approved disposal sites. Conduct a thorough cleanup and post-work air monitoring to confirm no presence of asbestos.

Road closures across Ontario - Municipal 511

Visit Municipal 511 for an interactive map that highlights construction projects and road closures across the Province of Ontario.

Disclaimer

This third party link contains information being provided as a courtesy to the public and for informational purposes only. The Corporation of the Town of Whitby assumes no liability for the accuracy or content of the information contained or referred to in the third party link.