The much-anticipated and dreaded outbound lane restriction on Route 28 will begin at 9 p.m. today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced.

Crews will spend the day preparing for the closure of the left lane just north of the 31st Street Bridge. The work zone will extend beyond the 40th Street Bridge. Turns at the 40th Street Bridge will not be restricted at this time. The traffic pattern will remain in effect until summer 2012.

Two lanes of southbound traffic will be maintained during peak periods, but the southbound lanes will be shifted away from the hillside. Only one southbound lane will be open overnight after 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

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