Traffic jams and backups of 20 miles or more can be expected on both directions of Interstate 94 between St. Cloud and Clearwater now that a pavement rehabilitation project is underway.

Preparatory work began Monday on the 7½-mile stretch of freeway from State Hwy. 24 to Stearns County Road 75, which will be reduced to a single lane from sunrise to sunset Mondays through Saturdays through Dec. 1. No lane closures will occur on Sundays this fall, but the road will be reduced to a single lane in both directions 24 hours next April to June, said MnDOT spokesman J.P. Gillach.

Significant delays did not materialize Monday, but "Mondays through Wednesdays things slow down," Gillach said. "We will probably see larger backups on Thursdays. Fridays are our problem day."

On average, 42,000 vehicles use the stretch of highway each day, but that number balloons to more than 54,000 trucks, buses and cars on Fridays. That's when backups of 20 miles or more could occur on westbound 94. Heavy traffic also is expected on Thursday evenings and midday Saturday. Most delays on eastbound 94 are expected during the morning and evening rush hours, Gillach said.

MnDot has set up a detour for motorists who want to avoid lengthy delays. Westbound drivers can exit at the Hasty/Silver Creek exit and follow County Road 75 to Clearwater. County 75 also runs all the way to St. Cloud, so motorists could avoid getting back on 94 until they have reached the end of the construction zone in St. Cloud. Signs will alert drivers of the detour when backups become excessive, Gillach said.

This will be the third major repair project on the stretch of highway which was built in 1973 and 1974. Previous projects were conducted in 1982 and 2006.

The bulk of the $16.4 million project will take place next April to June when pavement and shoulder resurfacing takes place.

Project updates, travel times and tips on navigating the construction zone is at www.mndot.gov/d3/i94.