What this page is (and isn't)
This is an evergreen construction tracker for the Durham–Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT) work on Kingston Road (Regional Highway 2) in Pickering. It's a practical resource for drivers, transit riders, and businesses along the corridor — not a live traffic feed or official project control room.
Sources of record: The Region of Durham issues construction notices, traffic lane updates, and maintains TrafficWatch. Durham Region Transit (DRT) is the source for bus stop adjustments and service changes. Daily Durham publishes dated news stories when material lane or stop changes are announced, always citing the official source.
Quick facts (at a glance)
The following details are drawn from Region and DRT notices. Re-check official pages for the latest timelines, as construction schedules may change:
| Project | Durham–Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT), Phase 1 segments through Ajax/Pickering on Kingston Road (Highway 2) |
|---|---|
| Pickering segment | Steeple Hill to Merritton Road (third segment in Region notices) |
| Stated window | September 28, 2026 – August 31, 2028 (per Region's September 23, 2026 notice); weather may affect schedule |
| Lane pattern | Late October 2026–summer 2027: one eastbound + two westbound for wastewater work; late 2027: one lane each way at Whites and Fairport for platforms |
| Stays open | Bus routes, bus stops, sidewalks, and businesses remain accessible — expect shifts and congestion |
| Funding | Partially funded via Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) |
Where to check official updates first
Always start with these official Region of Durham and Durham Region Transit pages:
- Region PSA: Steeple Hill to Merritton Road construction — the primary lane-pattern and timeline notice
- Region project page: BRTSteepleHillToMerritton
- TrafficWatch live map — real-time traffic incidents and construction zones
- Open for Business — tips for corridor businesses
- DRT BRT program page — corridor overview and segment list
- DRT: BRT Check Your Stop — rider entry point for stop moves
- DRT: Steeple Hill to Merritton stop adjustments
- DRT: Westney Road to Galea Drive stop adjustments
- City of Pickering: Brock Road corridor / Kingston BRT context
Drivers vs riders — who checks what
Drivers / general traffic: Check the Region PSA and TrafficWatch for lane patterns, closures, and construction zones.
Transit riders:Use DRT's BRT Check Your Stop page and individual stop-adjustment notices. Stop locations can change with little notice — DRT is the source of record.
Important: Road notices and transit stop notices are separate. Check both when construction affects your route.
Corridor segments (keep high-level)
DRT's BRT page lists Phase 1 segments as: Ajax Rotherglen–Harwood, Harwood–Wicks; Pickering Steeple Hill–Merritton, Dixie–Bainbridge. This tracker prioritizes Pickering Kingston Road impacts. For Ajax segments, see Region and DRT pages — Daily Durham covers Ajax construction separately as notices warrant.
How Daily Durham covers BRT / Kingston construction
Daily Durham publishes dated news stories when Region or DRT notices affect drivers or riders in a material way — lane changes, stop clusters, corridor milestones. Every story cites the official source URL. This tracker is the evergreen parent; individual stories are the children.
If you spot an issue Daily Durham hasn't covered yet, you can tip the team or subscribe to our free weekday newsletter.
Latest related Daily Durham coverage
Recent stories about the Pickering BRT corridor and related Kingston Road construction:
- Pickering BRT construction set to bring lane changes to Kingston Road
- DRT adjusts stops along Westney Road and Galea Drive
- Glenanna Road closure detours DRT routes through September 25
Frequently asked questions
What is the Durham–Scarborough BRT (DSBRT)?
According to DRT and Region pages, DSBRT is a ~36 km corridor from Oshawa–Whitby–Ajax–Pickering to Toronto along Kingston Road / Highway 2, featuring median bus lanes, stations, and cycling/pedestrian upgrades. See the DRT BRT page for the full corridor overview.
When does Pickering Steeple Hill–Merritton construction run?
The Region's September 23, 2026 notice stated September 28, 2026 – August 31, 2028. Weather may affect the schedule. Always re-check the official Region notice and TrafficWatch before you travel.
Will Kingston Road close completely?
The Region PSA describes lane shifts and restrictions, not a total long-term closure. Buses, sidewalks, and businesses are stated to remain open, but expect congestion. See the official Region PSA for current conditions.
Where do I see live traffic / project status?
Use the Region's TrafficWatch map.
My bus stop on Kingston moved — where do I check?
Check DRT BRT Check Your Stop and the matching stop-adjustment post. Daily Durham's Westney–Galea story is an example of how we cover stop moves.
Is this Daily Durham page the official construction schedule?
No. This is a tracker and curated link hub. The official sources are the Region of Durham and Durham Region Transit.
How does this relate to other DRT detours?
For non-BRT DRT route alerts, see the DRT alerts & detours guide.
Trust and accuracy
Every operational fact about the Pickering BRT corridor — timelines, lane patterns, stop moves — is attributed to the Region of Durham or Durham Region Transit as the source of record. If you spot an error in any Daily Durham story, please use our corrections policy to let us know.
For more about how Daily Durham reports and verifies stories, see our editorial standards.