The last gasp is coming up for a road project that has created misery in the southern suburbs.

A major project on Interstate 35 from Elko New Market to Eagan closed lanes last year and will do so again, though only for a few weeks.

Or, as state officials put it late last week:

"The good news: We only have a small section left to finish."

Still, traffic in both directions will be throttled down to just one lane between County Road 50 and County Road 60 (185th Street) in Lakeville starting April 21.

Crews will be repairing concrete along that section.

The work should be done by Memorial Day, officials promise, though they cautioned: "All dates are subject to change due to weather."

They are promising a smoother ride once it's all wrapped up.

David Peterson