Waterloo highway closures for planned roadwork on July 17

When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.

When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.

Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using the highest quality air filter that your ventilation system can handle and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.

If you must spend time outdoors, limit the time as much as possible. A well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.

Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke.

Always follow guidance from local authorities.

Learn more at https://www.canada.ca/wildfire-smoke.

Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario is causing very poor air quality and reduced visibility. Poor air quality may persist into the weekend.

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During heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.

Limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.

You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.

People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

For further information visit the website https://www.airqualityontario.com/ or contact the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 416-314-6666.

Visit http://www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

These highway closures are scheduled for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance.

Avoid traffic jams before they happen — five closures are scheduled for roadwork on provincial highways in Waterloo on July 17, 2026:

Nightly Highway 401 eastbound between Homer Watson Boulevard / Fountain Street / Waterloo Road 28, Kitchener and Townline Road / Wellington Road 33 , Cambridge: one alternating lane closed from July 13 at 9 p.m. until July 18 at 8 a.m.

Nightly Highway 7 eastbound between Krug Street and Shirley Drive, Kitchener: two right lanes closed from July 19 at 9 p.m. until July 24 at 5 a.m.

Nightly Highway 7 southbound between Wellington Street and Krug Street, 2 Right Lanes from July 16 at 9 p.m. until July 17 at 5 a.m.

Nightly Highway 7 southbound between Wellington Street and Krug Street, 2 Right Lanes from July 17 at 9 p.m. until July 18 at 5 a.m.

Nightly Highway 7 eastbound between Krug Street and Shirley Drive, Kitchener: two right lanes closed from July 18 at 9 p.m. until July 24 at 5 a.m.

ON THE RECORD

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This story was automatically generated using open data from Ontario 511. The closures are scheduled by the Ministry of Transportation for short-term or emergency repairs and maintenance. The disruptions may be intermittent or ongoing and can change due to weather, emergencies and other factors.

The Torstar Open Data Team produces articles using data and automation. Topics include weather forecasts, highway closures, restaurant inspections, beach water quality reports and election results. The team is Lucas Timmons and Cody Gault with support from the Star and Metroland’s editorial and technical teams.

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