Motorists will encounter three traffic switches at the Highway 14/Interstate 35 interchange near Owatonna beginning Nov. 17, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

-Motorists can now drive on all lanes of Highway 14 from Steele County Road 45 to the I-35 interchange. Highway 14 had been reduced to single-lane traffic on the westbound lanes.

-I-35 southbound traffic will use a new temporary Highway 14 eastbound exit ramp and bypass lanes.

-Highway 14 westbound traffic will now use the newly constructed ramp to I-35 northbound.

I-35 northbound to Highway 14 eastbound traffic and Highway 14 westbound to I-35 southbound traffic will continue to be detoured from Highway 14 to County Road 45 south, then to Highway 30 west to I-35 near Ellendale.

The work is part of the three-year reconstruction of Highway 14 from Waseca to Owatonna, which also includes construction of a new interchange at I-35 and Highway 14.

When completed, motorists will experience a smoother, safer ride.

Mathiowetz Construction Co., Sleepy Eye, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $51.8 million project. Work for the 2010 construction season will be finished in November. The entire project is expected to be completed by June 15, 2012.

Mn/DOT urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

For statewide travel information visit www.511mn.org , call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov .