Drivers in Oshawa will face a long-term road closure starting May 18, 2026, as the Regional Municipality of Durham begins a major reconstruction project on Farewell Street.
The closure will affect the stretch of road between Wentworth Street East and Harbour Road and is expected to remain in place until December 2026. While through traffic is diverted, the project is slated to continue with additional lane restrictions until its full completion in September 2027.
During the closure, through traffic will be detoured using Wentworth Street East, Simcoe Street South, and Harbour Road. Local traffic and emergency vehicles will maintain access to the area throughout the construction period, and businesses along the route will remain open.
The comprehensive rehabilitation includes a variety of upgrades, such as full-depth road reconstruction, new street lighting, sidewalk reconstruction on the west side, and the addition of a multi-use path on the east side of Farewell Street, from Harbour Street to the rail underpass. Work will also include watermain replacements, utility relocations, and the rehabilitation of retaining walls at the Canadian National Railway underpass. A temporary traffic signal has already been installed at the intersection of Farewell Street and Wentworth Street/Colonel Sam Drive to help manage traffic flow during these upgrades.
This project is part of a series of infrastructure improvements in the area. It overlaps with work by Metrolinx for the GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville, which includes the demolition and construction of a new pedestrian bridge on Farewell Street. Additionally, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority is undertaking a separate project to widen and extend Farewell Street and Harbour Road to improve port access, with partial funding provided by Transport Canada.
Residents should note that poor weather conditions may affect the overall project timeline. For ongoing updates on the construction progress, residents can visit durham.ca/FarewellSt.
