The first of two Interstate 90 projects scheduled for this summer started Tuesday, and the left, inside lane in both directions is closed near Austin.

Minnesota Department of Transportation workers will fix faulty concrete pavement along I-90 from Highway 105 to County Road 19, which means workers will essentially dig up decaying concrete patches and replace them with new concrete.

MnDOT hopes to have the left lanes finished by the end of May, when they will start on the right, outside lane in both directions. When that starts, they will also temporarily shut down several exits along the Austin corridor, according to a MnDOT spokesperson.

The project is estimated to wrap up in June and cost about $7.2 million.

The second project is a $2-million project to resurface the interstate from Dexter to Mower County Road 1, which will last from July to November. Both projects will include long-term lane closures.