Traffic will now travel head to head on Interstate 35 between Ellendale and Albert Lea, as construction crews begin concrete re-paving, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Southbound traffic is crossing to the northbound lanes.

The $16.9 million  project, which includes a concrete overlay on 13.9 miles of southbound I-35 lanes, is expected to be completed mid-September.

Shafer Contracting Co. Inc. of Shafer is the prime contractor.

The news release stated traffic delays are possible during the project, especially on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

MnDOT urges motorists to be attentive, drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

During the early stages of the project, the southbound Exit 22 at Freeborn County Road 35 and southbound Exit 13, which is used to access westbound Interstate 90, will be closed and traffic will be detoured.

Exit 22 will reopen later when southbound exits 26 and 18 at Ellendale and Clarks Grove are closed for short durations while the ramps are replaced.