It could be a long month for commuters who use I-94 to get between the Twin Cities and communities in and around the St. Cloud area.

MnDOT begins paving an 8.5-mile segment of the freeway and warns motorists to expect slow or stopped traffic during peak travel times. Crews will be on the job from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday nights through mid-November. Both directions will feature single lane traffic 24 hours.

The work area runs from County Road 75 on the east end of the construction zone to the Sauk River in St. Joseph on the west end. Additionally, ramps to County Road 75 and Hwys. 23 and 15 will be closed at times and detours posted, MnDOT said.

Motorists approaching the work zone are encouraged to do the Zipper Merge. That means motorists should use both lanes up to the prescribed merge point, then take turns.

Message boards will flash additional information and signs will display the appropriate speed. Remember a new law that went into effect in July now means drivers who go faster than the posted speed limit will be hit with a minimum $300 fine if caught.