"We need some drier weather out there to get this work started."

Saturday's snowfall has delayed construction on I-96. Prep work will now start on Monday.

"We need to move pavement markings, get concrete barrier walls up, get westbound lanes ready for eastbound traffic to come over," says Kari Arend, Communications Director for the Michigan Dept. of Transportation.

Arend tells us lanes on eastbound I-96 will close during the first stage of rebuilding. Roadwork on the west side will begin in July when the eastbound construction is complete.

"We are talking about a stretch on I-96 just east of the M-100 exit, that is the grand ledge exit, going all the way to I-496," says Arend.

A stretch of pavement that Arend says is currently in poor condition. Along with I-96 construction, MDOT is planning other projects this year.

"We'll replace 6 miles of pavement, make some interchange improvements, big improvements to the M-43/I-96 interchange, along with changes to 10 bridges," Arend says.

Roadwork on I-96 and several other construction projects have a total pricetag of about $40 million. But some releif for the state: the cost is fully covered by stimulus money.

"Good news when it's all done. But we do realize there will be a slight inconvenience to commuters with construction is going on," says Arend.

I-96 construction will last well through the end of the year. But Arend assures there will be minimal affect to commuters.

"We may have some off-peak single lane closures out there, but for the most part, we'll be able to maintain at least two lanes in each direction," Arend says.

Arend says it will take a week for Monday's prep work on I-96 to be complete. You can expect eastbound traffic to move over to I-96 west the week of March 29th. I-96 roadwork and bridge construction will be completed by the end of the year. Next spring, MDOT will begin work on a section of M-43.

For more information on all of MDOT's projects and how you can sign-up for free e-mail alerts regarding road closures, visit www.michigan.gov/mdot.