Motorists who use northbound Interstate 35W in the south metro could be in for some tough driving for the entire month of October as the Minnesota Department of Transportation slims the freeway down to two lanes.

Starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, northbound I-35W will be reduced from three lanes to two between the I-35W/35E/35 split and Minnesota River bridge through Oct. 31, the agency said.

To help traffic flow, MnPASS lanes normally reserved for carpools, motorcycles, buses and drivers with transponders who pay to use them will be open at no charge to all motorists traveling between the split and Black Dog Road. North of Black Dog, regular E-Z Pass lane rules and fees will be in effect, MnDOT said.

The lane closure comes as the agency begins prep work for a bridge replacement and pavement resurfacing project on the calendar for the 2025 and 2026 construction seasons. Crews during October will be building crossovers on I-35W and Hwy. 13.

Next year, MnDOT will replace bridges on I-35W at Hwy. 13, Burnsville Parkway and Cliff Road, and replace concrete and asphalt pavement.