The southbound lanes and a series of southbound ramps on Interstate 35 in Owatonna are scheduled to open on Thursday while two ramps will close for 30 days, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The newly constructed concrete southbound driving lanes will open on Thursday. Traffic on southbound I-35 between exits 42B and 41 will be single lane, but opens up to both lanes past Exit 41 southbound. Northbound traffic will be open to both lanes.

Opening Thursday will be the I-35 southbound on ramp (Exit 43) at Steele County Road 34 (26th Street NW); the southbound off ramp (exit 42A) at Steele County Road 45 (Hoffman Drive); and the southbound on ramp (exit 42 A & B) at Steele County Road 2 (Hoffman Drive).

Ramps that will close for 30 days are at Exit 41 from Bridge Street to southbound I-35 and the off ramp at Exit 42B from southbound I-35 to Steele County Road 2. The pavement will be reconstructed on both ramps. Detours will be marked for both ramps. Ramps are scheduled to re-open on Nov. 14.

The $19.1 million project is taking place over two years to replace the concrete I-35 roadways through Owatonna, as well as replace bridges and include additional safety features. The project with prime contractor Mathiowetz Construction began in early May and is expected to be complete in fall 2015.