The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in the US will initiate preparation works to replace three southbound bridges on Interstate 35 (I-35).

According to MnDOT, motorists travelling on I-35 from south of Owatonna would experience alternating lane closures from 03 April.

Lunda Construction will act as prime contractor for carrying out the $29.6m two-year project to replace six I-35 bridges and four Highway 14 bridges south of Owatonna.

"While replacing the three bridges, all the southbound lanes will be closed, along with the Straight River Rest Area for southbound."

Upon completion of the preparation works, MnDOT will switch traffic into a single lane in each direction in the northbound lanes from 6 April.

While replacing the three bridges, all the southbound lanes will be closed, along with the Straight River Rest Area for southbound.

Currently, construction works are being carried out on the northbound area and is expected to open later this year.

The department further explained that there could be traffic backups on I-35 during the weekends, and motorists can reduce traffic backup issues by moving efficiently through a merger point by using both lanes of traffic while approaching the merge.

During the works, new sign boards will be deployed in order to address traffic backups on the I-35, which would alert drivers when backups are occurring or stopped traffic ahead by activating flashing signals.

As part of the works, bridges over the Straight River, Turtle Creek and the Union Pacific Railroad on I-35, and bridges located on the Straight River and the Union Pacific Railroad on Highway 14 will be replaced.

Bridges in southbound on I-35 and eastbound on Highway 14 will be replaced this year, while the bridges on the northbound and westbound will be replaced next year.