Drivers heading south on Interstate 395 in Waterford may need to pack a bit of patience the next few weeks.
Starting Friday at 6 p.m. the southbound lanes will be closed as part of a rehabilitation project for the bridge. That bridge carries travelers over Route 85. Those lanes will reopen July 29 at 6 p.m.
In order to avoid any slowdowns, some drivers are already rethinking their route to work.
"I'm going to have to find a different way to go. I'm going to have to change the way I go because that's the way I go every day," said Uncasville resident Frank Panek.
"I'm going to take another way," said Colchester resident Chris Boix.
During the closure, drivers on I-395 south will take the Exit 2 off ramp, cross 85, and then take the on-ramp back onto the interstate. The state Department of Transportation says during the closure they'll have a signal at the end of the ramp and police present to direct traffic should cars begin to back up. With the hot weather this weekend, the beaches may be hopping, but DOT says a little patience should be enough to get through the delays.
While some drivers say it'll be inconvenient, others say they're glad the bridge work is getting done.
Local
"That's the price of progress. We've got to fix and maintain our roads and bridges because that affects everybody, so got to do it, right?" said Glastonbury resident Bernard Gullotta.
The total $6 million project is expected to be completed by the end of November.
