Ontario Ministry of Transportation Schedules Extensive Highway Closures

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario scheduled a series of extensive highway closures for short-term and emergency repairs across several regions between October 16 and October 19, 2026. The work primarily targeted the Halton and Peel regions, with additional disruptions in Waterloo and Simcoe.

On October 16, 51 closures affected Halton and Peel, including the Queen Elizabeth Way and Highways 401, 403, 410, 9, and 10. The following day, 11 closures continued in Halton while seven new closures impacted Highway 7 and Highway 85 in the Waterloo region, specifically in Kitchener, Stratford, and Waterloo.

Activity peaked on October 18 with 124 closures in the Simcoe region affecting Highways 400, 11, 12, 26, 89, and 93, alongside 33 closures in Peel. In Simcoe, the Ontario Provincial Police assisted with full 15-minute highway closures in Bradford and Tay. The cycle continued on October 19 with 39 closures across Halton and Peel, impacting the Queen Elizabeth Way and Highways 401, 403, 410, 9, and 10.

Most closures were scheduled nightly to minimize traffic disruption, though some remained daily or continuous. The Ministry warned motorists to expect delays during peak travel times and noted that schedules remained subject to change based on weather or emergencies.