Motorists traveling on Route 1 in Bath, and along Commercial and Vine streets, should expect some delays this weekend.

As part of the Maine Department of Transportation’s efforts to replace the Bath viaduct, some roads around the viaduct will be blocked or reduced to single-lane traffic from Friday through Tuesday.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, west-bound traffic on Leeman Highway and Vine Street will be reduced to a single lane until Tuesday afternoon. Starting early Saturday morning, eastbound traffic on Commercial

Street/Leeman Highway will be blocked from using Commercial Street (beyond Washington Street) or King Street.

A press release from MDOT says that the scheduled days should be low-volume for traffic, although motorists should plan an additional 5-10 minutes if traveling through those areas. Despite construction, people will still be able to access downtown Bath throughout this period.

The construction work is part of the initial phase of the $14 million project to replace the Bath viaduct. According to the MDOT time frame for the project, the viaduct will be closed at some point in October — demolition is planned to begin on Oct. 11. The viaduct will remain closed until May 2017, when it is expected to be open by Memorial Day.

The complete closure will allow crews to work at any hour of the day or night to speed the process along. The new viaduct is expected to be in operation for 100 years.

nstrout@timesrecord.com

Timeline

• ACCORDING to the MDOT time frame for the project, the Bath viaduct will be closed at some point in October — demolition is planned to begin on Oct. 11. The viaduct will remain closed until May 2017, when it is expected to be open by Memorial Day.