Due to construction of the new Veterans Memorial Bridge, the existing Veterans Memorial Bridge, which connects Portland’s West End to South Portland over the Fore River, will be closed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and reopen the next morning at 6 a.m.

During this overnight bridge closure, construction crews will conclude the installation of an underground communication conduit that crosses over existing travel lanes of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

There will be detour signs and message boards for the best alternate routes. Commuters are advised to plan ahead and allow more time to get to your destination. If you plan to travel this way, the state Department of Transportation asks that you consider the following detours:

* Traffic headed northbound on I-295 use Exit 5 to the Fore River Parkway to access the Veteran’s Intersection where US-1 and Valley Street cross.

* Traffic from Main Street in South Portland will get on I-295 North and use Exit 5 to access the Fore River Parkway.

* Traffic headed southbound on I-295 from the Veteran’s Intersection will use Fore River Parkway to access I-295 South.

* Traffic headed to Main Street in South Portland will use Fore River Parkway to I-295 South to get to Exit 4.

Construction of the new bridge is on schedule and expected to open to traffic next summer, with the removal of the old bridge to be completed in December 2012.

For more up to date travel information and progress reports, visit the project website at www.VeteransMemorialBridge.org.