MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is warning of possible traffic delays in St. Paul and Mendota Heights this weekend as southbound Interstate 35E closes.

I-35E is set to close for construction between Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 at 10 p.m. Friday.

I-35E over the Mississippi River has been reduced to a single, but it will open for Friday rush hour, MnDOT said.

At 7 p.m. Friday, 1-35E will be reduced to a single lane before closing completely at 9 p.m.

A detour will take drivers to southbound Highway 52 and I-494. MnDOT said drivers should plan additional travel time and/or use alternate routes.

All lanes will open on I-35E Monday at 5 a.m.

The construction on I-35E is part of a resurfacing project between Highway 5/West Seventh Street in St. Paul and Lone Oak Road in Eagan. The work should result in a smoother ride, better drainage, easy access and improved pedestrian crossings, MnDOT said.