Brace yourself for the big spring and summer slowdown.
Miles of resurfaced highways, torn-up interchanges and bridge construction will be greeting motorists soon in the Twin Cities.
It's all part of nearly $900 million in state construction projects slated for 2011. While the spending is down sharply from last year, the traffic cones and detours promise more headaches after a harsh winter driving season.
"Construction season rolls around, you know what's going to happen: lane closures," State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske warned Wednesday.
Four of the busiest miles of I-94 in the Twin Cities will be narrowed from four to three lanes at a minimum in each direction beginning any week now.
The stretch from Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis to Cretin Avenue in St. Paul will be resurfaced, bridges will be repaired and a noise wall installed. The $26 million project is expected to last the entire summer.
"That will be a big one ... straight through Minneapolis," said Breanna Magee, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Crews might work 24 hours a day on the project, the stretch could be further restricted at night and eastbound or westbound lanes will be closed on some weekends.