You can expect delays through downtown Syracuse this weekend as construction gets underway on Interstate 81 North. Starting tonight at 8 p.m., all northbound lanes of traffic will be closed at Adams Street. Our Brad Vivacqua is near the 81-690 Interchange where this work is going to take place.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Unlike many DOT projects that start mid to late morning, this work won't be starting up until about 8 p.m. tonight. Still, over the weekend, if you're heading northbound on 81 through downtown Syracuse, you may want to make alternative plans.

This work comes after an inspection in which crews found some loose concrete on the I-81 bridge deck near the 690 interchange. They plan to replace that now on a weekend when there aren't many city events or a big game scheduled for the Carrier Dome.

Starting tonight at 8 p.m., all northbound lanes of traffic will be closed at Adams Street. Drivers will have to exit there and re-enter the highway at the Almond Street on-ramp.

Transportation officials say they're also closing one lane of that on-ramp during the construction. They say they're goal is to inconvenience travelers as least as possible.

NYS DOT Region 3 Environmental Specialist Brian Melancon said, "It's the DOT's intention to inconvenience them as least as possible. This work was chosen to be done over the weekend as approximately half as much on weekdays. To avoid delays, we encourage everyone to take 481 as opposed to 81."

The work is scheduled to begin tonight at 8 and run until 6 a.m. Monday. DOT officials say bad weather could potentially change that schedule but they're hoping all goes as planned.

Visit www.511ny.org for more information.