A key stretch of Highway 50 will be closed for 79 hours due to ongoing construction, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Several lanes will be closed beginning Friday and last through the weekend.

“The extended lane closures will help to minimize the duration of the work and improve workers’ safety,” Caltrans said in a Wednesday news release.

The agency advised motorists to plan for extra time when traveling.

Q Where is Highway 50 construction?

A The Yolo Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 Pavement Rehabilitation Project aims to “rehabilitate and repair” the roadway in and around West Sacramento, Caltrans said, to “improve safety and ride quality.”

The construction zone on Interstate 80 stretches from 1.4 miles east of Mace Boulevard to Pioneer Bridge. Work is also being done on Highway 50, from Interstate 80 to the Jefferson Boulevard overcrossing.

The $280 million project includes $47 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Caltrans said.

Q Which lanes will be closed? When?

A All eastbound lanes of Highway 50 will close from just west of the Yolo Causeway along Interstate 80 to the Jefferson Boulevard off-ramp and interchange with Highway 275, Caltrans said.

The Highway 50 lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. March 11, according to the state road agency.

QDo I have to slow down in work zones?

A According to Caltrans, the speed limit in the construction zone was reduced to 55 mph to protect construction crews and motorists.

According to California Vehicle Code 22362, it is illegal to exceed the posted speed limit in highway construction zones even if workers are not present.

Speed limits on highways are typically reduced by 10 mph from the normal limit when under construction. Some work areas can have speed limits up to 25 mph lower than usual.

Drivers caught speeding can be ticketed and fined, with the penalty depending on their speed.