ROCHESTER — Motorists in Rochester will not be able to use the traffic ramp from Civic Center Drive Northwest to Highway 52 north on Wednesday, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The temporary closure will include the right lane of northbound Highway 52 from the Civic Center Drive bridge to the off ramp to 19th Street Northwest.

The closure will begin at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Workers will try to complete their work that day, weather permitting. The closure is necessary to repair guardrail in 13 areas as well as some traffic light poles. Vehicle crashes this past winter caused the damage. The closures are necessary to ensure safety for the repair workers and motorists.

If weather does not allow the repair work to be done that day, MnDOT crews will attempt to do the work on Thursday.

A changeable message sign this week has been alerting motorists to the changes, so drivers can plan alternate routes on the day of the repairs.