Another sign of progress on Hwy. 36 in the east metro comes with some lane and ramp closures that will be in effect Tuesday and Wednesday.

Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, the higheay in both directions will be reduced to a single lane between I-694 and Demontreville Trail. Also, the ramp from southbound Hilton Trail to westbound Hwy. 36 will close.

The two-day closure will allow crews to shift traffic from the temporary bypass road to the newly-constructed westbound Hwy. 36 and end the $13,8 million reconstruction project that was designed to improve safety and traffic flow on Hwy. 36, Hilton Trail, Highlands Trail and Demontreville Trail. It also was designed to reduce the amount of traffic cutting through residential areas.

With rain in the forecast, the project could be delayed, MnDOT warns. But the plan as of now is to open the ramp and westbound lanes by 6 a.m. Wednesday. Eastbound lanes are expected to reopen by 9 a.m. Wednesday.