Sarah Lemmon March 9, 2015 7:11am

The good news: Commuters going into downtown will now have more time to listen to their favorite podcast on the way into work for the next several weeks.

The bad news: SDOT warns that commuters traveling north or south on Aurora Ave/SR 99 will likely have longer travel times because of lane closures in each direction of SR 99 for the next 8-12 weeks.

Preliminary works begins today with the major parts of the project kicking off on Wednesday this week.

SDOT says the lane closures are needed to create a safe work zone for crews while they install foundations for large signs that will eventually direct traffic approaching the north end of the SR 99 tunnel.

Commuters by bus or car should expect congestion especially during peak commute times.  Trips may take longer than normal since buses will not only travel but make stops in the outside lanes with other vehicle traffic. The southbound, bus-only lane will be open to all traffic during this work.

Here’s more project details via SDOT:

Overnight Monday, March 9

• Northbound lanes will be entirely closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street at 10 p.m.and reopened by 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, to straighten a curve in the portion of the road over Mercer Street. This work is weather-dependent.
• Tuesdaymorning, northbound drivers will notice a left-lane closure between Mercer and Galer streets.

Overnight Tuesday, March 10

• Crews will begin setting up the northbound and southbound work zones for sign foundation work starting at 8 p.m.between the Aurora Bridge and Valley Street. Two lanes will be closed overnight in both directions.

6 a.m., Wednesday, March 11: Long-term lane closures begin 

Northbound SR 99/Aurora Avenue North

• One lane will be closed for approximately eight weeks between Valley Street and the Aurora Bridge.
• Two lanes will remain open to traffic during peak travel times.
• Buses will travel and stop in the right lane with other vehicle traffic.
• An additional lane may close at night and during some weekend days. 

Southbound SR 99/Aurora Avenue North

• One lane will be closed for approximately 12 weeks between the Aurora Bridge and Valley Street.
• Two lanes will remain open to traffic during peak travel times.
• The bus-only lane restriction will be lifted; buses will travel and stop in the right lane with other vehicle traffic.
• An additional lane may close at night and during some weekend days.