COLUMBUS, NE — Road construction could slow down traffic in the Columbus area next week.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that patching work will begin on Monday. The project will start at the US-30/US-81 junction and head one mile to the west. Traffic will be controlled with flaggers and a pilot car. The project is expected to finish on Tuesday.

Crews will also work on a patching project on the Loup Power Canal Bridge on US-81. That project is slated for Wednesday and will be completed by the end of the day. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers.

The construction work is weather permitting. The Department of Transportation encourages drivers to use caution in the work zones.