Drivers should plan for extra travel time on part of Minnesota Highway 23 starting next week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

Beginning Aug. 8, resurfacing work will start on Highway 23 between Florence and Holland.

The construction is part on an ongoing project to put new asphalt paving on about 30 miles of Highway 23. As part of the project, a culvert is being replaced near Florence, and the deck of a bridge near Pipestone is also being replaced.

For most of August, the highway between Holland and Florence will be reduced to one lane, with a flagging operation and pilot car directing traffic through the work zone, MnDOT said. Drivers should use caution, allow for more travel time, and expect delays.

The paving work is expected to be done by Aug. 30. MnDOT said dates could still change depending on weather or other unforeseeable circumstances.

A detour for a culvert replacement near Florence will also stay in place until Aug. 23, MnDOT said. Currently, traffic is being detoured onto Highway 91 and U.S. Highway 14. After the Florence detour is lifted, a detour for a bridge replacement near Pipestone will go into effect. The Pipestone detour will take traffic onto U.S. Highway 75 and Pipestone County Road 8, and will be in place until Nov. 1.

MnDOT said the Highway 23 construction will help improve drainage and give the roadway a smoother surface. The project cost is about $11.12 million.