Another big road mess hits the south metro starting Sunday night.

A major detour several miles long will be needed next week for large numbers of motorists trying to reach northbound Interstate 35 near Elko New Market, state officials warned Friday.

Starting at 10 p.m. on Sunday, it won't be possible to take the ramp leading from County Road 2 to northbound I-35. The ramp will remain closed until Oct. 28. The detour is being posted to make conditions safer for crews working to repair the interstate near the ramp.

Motorists will be advised to take County Road 46, also known as Pillsbury Avenue, about five miles north to County Road 70, then swing back onto northbound I-35.

Officials say they hope the ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, but all work is weather-permitting, and that estimate could change if the weather is bad.

North of Hwy. 50, they added, motorists can expect temporary nonpeak lane closures for both directions of I-35 between County Road 50 and the I-35W/I-35E split for the next few weeks as work continues on median repairs north of County Road 46.

Speed limits are decreased to 55 miles per hour in the construction zone.

The closure is part of a bigger project, which has its own Web page.

David Peterson