Major transit works to reshape Kingston Road in Pickering
The Regional Municipality of Durham has announced that construction for the Durham–Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (DSBRT) will move into the City of Pickering late summer 2026, with the section along Kingston Road (Regional Highway 2) from about 200 metres west of Steeple Hill to Merritton Road scheduled to be finished by summer 2028. The region says the work is part of one of Durham’s largest transit infrastructure investments and follows work already under way in Ajax.
The DSBRT is planned to run roughly 36 kilometres through Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and into Toronto. In Pickering, project plans call for road reconstruction and the installation of dedicated median bus lanes and median transit stop platforms complete with shelters. The design also includes traffic-signal upgrades to prioritise buses, and improvements to watermain and sanitary sewer systems.
“The DSBRT will provide two-way transit service every five minutes,”
The region anticipates the corridor will deliver time savings of approximately 20 minutes for transit trips along the Highway 2 route. To support pedestrians and cyclists, the project will add in-boulevard cycle tracks, crossrides, and wider, accessible sidewalks. Street lighting and new landscaping are also part of the works.
What residents and businesses should expect
Construction will likely bring phased lane closures, temporary access changes and typical construction impacts for properties adjacent to the corridor. Durham Region has pledged to issue additional notices before work starts on the Pickering section to confirm precise start dates and staging plans. The region also notes the project is partially funded by federal and provincial programs alongside regional contributions.
- When: work expected late summer 2026 to summer 2028 (additional notice to confirm start date)
- Where: Kingston Road from ~200 metres west of Steeple Hill to Merritton Road, City of Pickering
- What’s included: median bus lanes, transit platforms and shelters, traffic signals with bus movements, watermain and sanitary sewer work, cycle tracks, accessible sidewalks, lighting and landscaping
Project benefits and regional context
Regional officials say the DSBRT will provide more frequent and reliable service along the Highway 2 corridor, offering buses every five minutes in both directions. The dedicated median lanes and signal priority aim to reduce delays caused by mixed traffic and intersection congestion.
Beyond transit speed and reliability improvements, the project’s active-transportation components seek to create safer, separated facilities for cyclists and better pedestrian access to transit stops. For commuters who transfer to Toronto-bound services, the corridor is intended to integrate with existing regional and city transit networks.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Section in Pickering | Kingston Road (Regional Highway 2) — Steeple Hill to Merritton Road |
| Estimated construction period | Late summer 2026 to summer 2028 |
| Key features | Median bus lanes, transit platforms, cycle tracks, wider sidewalks, utility upgrades |
For residents and businesses along Kingston Road, the work represents both disruption and long-term change. Business owners will likely need to plan for access changes during construction, and commuters may face detours or altered bus schedules as infrastructure is installed.
Durham Region has directed those seeking further details to the project page at durham.ca/BRTSteepleHillToMerritton, where maps, timelines and construction notices will be posted as the schedule is finalised.
The DSBRT is part of a larger regional push to improve transit options across Durham and into Toronto; the Pickering section is a critical segment because of its role on Highway 2, a designated route for the rapid transit corridor. As construction moves closer to start, residents are encouraged to monitor regional communications for updates about staging, traffic impacts and measures to support businesses during the work.
