Richard P. Peralta Business
Major Highway Closures to Slow Traffic Across Peel on Dec. 12: Drivers Urged to Plan Ahead

As winter weather, seasonal maintenance and infrastructure upgrades converge across the Greater Toronto Area, Peel Region drivers are being advised to brace for a full slate of highway disruptions on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2025. A total of 16 scheduled closures will affect key routes in Mississauga, Caledon and surrounding communities—potentially impacting commuters, commercial drivers and holiday travellers alike.

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) has confirmed that these closures are part of ongoing repair, rehabilitation and safety-enhancement projects across several of the busiest highways in the region. While most of the restrictions involve alternating lane closures during overnight or off-peak hours, transportation officials warn that motorists should expect delays and plan alternate routes wherever possible.

A Busy Week for Road Maintenance Across Peel

Why These Closures Matter

Peel Region’s highways form some of the most heavily travelled corridors in Ontario, carrying significant volumes of passenger and commercial traffic daily. December is also a period when routine maintenance intersects with weather-related repairs, forcing the province to accelerate work before winter conditions worsen.

The combination of lane reductions, ramp closures and overnight restrictions is designed to minimize daytime disruption. However, with multiple closures overlapping across Highway 401, Highway 403, Highway 10 and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), the cumulative impact is expected to be noticeable throughout the week.

Breakdown of Major Highway Restrictions

Below is a detailed look at the scheduled Dec. 12 closures, including timelines, affected stretches and what drivers should anticipate.

Highway 403 Closures

Highway 403—one of Mississauga’s most critical east–west arteries—will experience repeated lane impacts this week.

Eastbound Between Highway 407 and Mavis Road

  • Three alternating lanes closed

  • Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. – Dec. 20 at 5 a.m.

This extensive eastbound lane reduction could cause delays extending toward the 401/403 interchange, one of the GTA’s well-known congestion points.

Multiple Eastbound Off-Ramp Restrictions Near Highway 401

Three separate closures will affect the eastbound off-ramp south of Highway 401 in Mississauga:

  • Dec. 10 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 13 at 6 a.m.

  • Dec. 11 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 13 at 6 a.m.

  • Dec. 15 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 20 at 6 a.m.

Alternating lane closures on this busy connector ramp may slow overnight traffic and impede access to nearby commercial and industrial districts.

Additional Eastbound Lane Closure

  • Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. – Dec. 14 at 5 a.m.

  • Three alternating lanes closed

With multiple closures overlapping along Highway 403, drivers using the route this week are encouraged to allow extra travel time and watch for sudden slowdowns.

Highway 10 Closures in Caledon

Motorists travelling north–south through Caledon will encounter several closures along Highway 10, which serves as a major rural and commuter corridor.

Southbound Between Forks of the Credit Rd. and Old School Rd.

  • One alternating lane closed

  • Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. – Dec. 15 at 5 a.m.

A second, extended closure follows:

  • Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. – Dec. 22 at 5 a.m.

These daytime and overnight closures may create bottlenecks in an area where alternate routes are limited.

Northbound Between Old School Rd. and Forks of the Credit Rd.

Two separate northbound restrictions will also be active:

  • Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. – Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.

  • Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. – Dec. 22 at 3 p.m.

These alternating lane closures may impact commuters heading toward Orangeville and surrounding rural areas.

Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) Closures

The QEW—linking Toronto, Mississauga and the Halton region—will see some of the longest-lasting lane restrictions this month.

Toronto-Bound Between Cawthra Rd. (Mississauga) and West Mall/Evans Ave. (Toronto)

  • Two alternating lanes closed

  • Nov. 23 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 14 at 5 a.m.

  • A second closure from Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. – Dec. 14 at 5 a.m.

These overlapping restrictions, approaching one of the GTA’s most heavily travelled QEW stretches, may generate traffic backups especially near downtown Toronto commuters.

Toronto-Bound Between Winston Churchill Blvd. (Oakville) and Highway 10/Hurontario (Mississauga)

  • Two alternating lanes closed

  • Dec. 7 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 13 at 5 a.m.

This section often experiences nighttime construction due to ongoing rehabilitation work on bridges and pavement structures.

Toronto-Bound Between Erin Mills Pkwy./Southdown Rd. and Highway 10/Hurontario

  • Two alternating lanes closed

  • Dec. 17 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 19 at 5 a.m.

These closures are expected to cause delays near Mississauga Road and areas with active interchange construction.

Fort Erie-Bound Between Highway 10/Hurontario and Mississauga Rd.

  • Two alternating lanes closed

  • Dec. 7 at 11 p.m. – Dec. 12 at 6 a.m.

Southbound travellers heading toward Burlington or Niagara should exercise caution during overnight hours.

Fort Erie-Bound Between Erin Mills Pkwy./Southdown Rd. and Erin Mills Pkwy./Southdown Rd.

  • Right lane closed

  • Dec. 9 at 10 p.m. – Dec. 12 at 5 a.m.

This short but frequently travelled segment will experience reduced capacity during late evening and early-morning intervals.

Highway 401 Closure

Highway 401—Canada’s busiest highway—will see one scheduled closure affecting westbound drivers.

Westbound Between Dixie Rd. and Highway 410

  • One alternating lane closed

  • Dec. 15 at 11 p.m. – Dec. 18 at 5 a.m.

While the closure is limited to overnight hours, congestion may still build due to high truck traffic volumes.

How These Closures Are Managed

Coordination Between MTO and Municipal Partners

Transportation officials note that work schedules are carefully selected to balance construction needs with the region’s substantial daily traffic. Overnight windows are typically chosen to minimize disruption, but winter weather and emergency repairs may force last-minute changes.

Potential for Weather-Related Adjustments

As with all winter-season maintenance, the Ministry of Transportation warns that closure timelines may shift due to:

  • Snowfall and ice conditions

  • Emergency repair requirements

  • Equipment delays

  • Safety considerations for on-site crews

Motorists are strongly encouraged to regularly check updates through Ontario 511, local traffic media and navigation apps that provide real-time construction alerts.

Tips for Drivers Navigating the Closures

Plan Ahead to Reduce Delays

With closures spread across multiple major highways, drivers can take several steps to minimize travel disruption:

  • Check live traffic information before leaving home

  • Allow extra time, especially for morning or evening travel

  • Use alternate routes where available

  • Drive cautiously near construction zones and obey reduced speed limits

Even if lane closures appear short, the cumulative effect across Peel’s major corridors may contribute to heavier congestion, particularly for commuters heading into Toronto or across Halton Region.

Understanding the Broader Purpose

This round of scheduled lane closures is part of Ontario’s ongoing strategy to maintain and modernize critical highway infrastructure. With aging bridges, high traffic volumes and expanding communities placing greater pressure on the road network, proactive repairs remain essential to keep routes safe and efficient.

The Ministry notes that while closures are inconvenient in the short term, they are vital to preventing deterioration that could require longer-term shutdowns in the future.

Conclusion: Expect a Slower Commute and Stay Informed

With 16 separate highway closures scheduled across Peel Region on Dec. 12, drivers can expect slower travel and shifting traffic patterns throughout the week. While most restrictions target overnight hours, the ripple effects may still touch both rush periods and commercial routes. Motorists are encouraged to prepare accordingly, make use of real-time traffic tools and stay aware of evolving conditions as winter repairs continue.

If your travel takes you beyond Peel, additional closures are listed through Ontario 511 to help drivers plan longer trips across the province.