Stretches of heavily traveled interstate -- one each on opposite sides of town -- are closed this weekend for construction work.

• In the north metro, a portion of eastbound I-694 was shut down at 10 p.m. Friday as crews switched traffic onto the newly finished westbound lanes in Arden Hills. The shift will remain until 5 a.m. Monday between I-35W and Lexington Avenue, allowing workers to begin building the new eastbound lanes.

During the closure, traffic will detour south onto I-35W, east on Hwy. 36 and back north at I-35E. Westbound I-694 is unaffected by the work.

• In the south metro, both directions of I-494 between Hwy. 100 and I-35W will be closed during the same times for removal of the Xerxes Avenue overpass, which will then be replaced. Motorists on I-494 are advised to take Hwy. 100 or I-35W north to Crosstown Hwy. 62 as a detour.

PAUL WALSH