There will be a change for southbound traffic at the McKenzie interchange starting tonight

Motorist should not feel spooked if their Halloween commute through the McKenzie interchange feels a little different on Wednesday night.

Starting later today, southbound traffic entering the intersection will be shifted to new temporary Admirals Road on-and-off ramps.

The transportation ministry said the traffic shift marks a major milestone for the McKenzie interchange project, designed to ease congestion in the area.

These ramps will allow crews to lower Highway 1 and build the eventual overpass across the highway connecting McKenzie Avenue and Admirals Road.

This new southbound configuration, along with the existing northbound traffic pattern, will be in place until the interchange opens to free-flowing traffic by late summer 2019.

The entire interchange project is anticipated to cut roughly 20 minutes off peak commute times and is on schedule to wrap up by the end of 2019.

Initial delays are expected as drivers adjust to the new lanes and signal locations. There will be staff on site during busy commute hours to monitor traffic flow and signal timing, and will make any necessary adjustments.

Remember to watch for workers and obey the construction speed limit of 60 km/h!