Roadwork to affect traffic Friday evening on I-95 South near Needham, Dedham

By Globe Staff

Planning to rush home on Friday evening to begin your long weekend? You may want to avoid Interstate 95 South near Needham.

The state Department of Transportation says traffic could be impacted because of roadwork near the Needham-Dedham town line.

Crews will be arriving at 7 p.m. in the area and begin working on splitting the traffic lanes, with the two left lanes shifting to the left and the right lane and breakdown lane shifting to the right.

The lanes are being split to allow for continued bridge construction over the Charles River. The bridges that carry I-95 North and I-95 South are being rebuilt and widened to add a fourth travel lane, the Transportation Department said in a statement.

The work to split the lanes will last until noon Saturday. While the work is being done, Exit 18 and Exit 17 southbound will be closed and detours will be in place. Once the split is complete, the exits will reopen, though they will only be accessible from the right lanes, the department said.