Drivers who use U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County may want to plan an alternate route on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will be conducting several 20 minutes closures between the U.S. 20 Bypass interchange and the Kern Road interchange, according to INDOT Northwest District Communications Director Matt Deitchley.

The northbound lanes will be affected on Monday, June 1. The southbound lanes will be affected on Tuesday, June 2.

In addition to the estimated 10 closures that will take place on both days, traffic will be down to only one lane on those two days. The closures are needed while construction crews work to set massive beams in place for the new Johnson Road bridge, according to Deitchley.

To avoid delays, INDOT is suggesting that drivers avoid U.S. 31 northbound entirely on Monday and avoid U.S. 31 southbound entirely on Tuesday.

Below is the breakdown on the lane restrictoins and closures released by INDOT:

Monday, June 1 – U.S. 31 Northbound: U.S. 31 northbound will be down to one lane all day between Kern Road and the U.S. 20 Bypass. In addition, periodic 20 minute closures for all traffic on U.S. 31 northbound will occur as many as 10 times throughout the day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2 – U.S. 31 Southbound: U.S. 31 southbound will be down to one lane all day between Kern Road and the U.S. 20 Bypass, and the ramp from eastbound U.S. 20 Bypass to southbound U.S. 31 will be closed all day. In addition, periodic 20 minute closures for all traffic on U.S. 31 southbound will occur as many as 10 times throughout the day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.