NATCHEZ — Drivers should get ready to adjust to traffic changes Tuesday near the intersection of U.S. 61 North and D’Evereux Drive.

The current northbound traffic lanes will be moved slightly to the east in order to make way for a flyover bridge allowing southbound drivers on U.S. 61 to skip a traffic light on the highway.

At approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday, all traffic will be routed to the newly constructed lanes of U.S. 61 North/Seargent S. Prentiss Drive just north of Walmart and the St. Catherine Creek Bridge, a Mississippi Department of Transportation press release says.

After this swap, construction will begin on the flyover bridge for U.S. 61 South, which is set for completion August 2012, MDOT District Construction Engineer Ken Morris said.

The project’s estimated cost is approximately $19.5 million.

Morris said the same number of lanes will remain, and Tuesday’s changes will be permanent.

MDOT Project Engineer Jim Eggleston has said approximately 32,000 cars travel through the intersection every day, making it the city’s busiest interchange.

In a previous report, former executive director for MDOT, Larry L. “Butch” Brown said approximately 55,000 cars are expected to travel through the intersection daily in 20 years.