Commuters using the I-76 East in Philadelphia should brace for some nighttime delays next week. PennDOT has its eyes on a $36.8 million project aimed at resurfacing and repairing a stretch of nearly five miles of the Schuylkill Expressway, including on-and-off ramps and several key bridges within the city limits, as reported by PennDOT.

Here's the heads-up for drivers: From Monday, April 22, through Friday, April 26, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., one lane will be closed down on eastbound I-76, specifically from the Belmont Avenue to the Girard Avenue/Philadelphia Zoo interchanges, according to an official PennDOT announcement. With machines thundering in the night and workers milling around replacing inlets, the folks behind the wheel will need to tack on some extra minutes to their night drives.

Unexpected delays should be anticipated throughout the work zone, with traffic likely to back up during these hours. PennDOT urges motorists to play it safe and allocate more travel time for these potentially sluggish excursions. Although the work is set for next week, the schedule is at the mercy of the weather, so drivers should keep an eye out for updates.

Milling, inlet repairs, and road improvements are part of PennDOT's grand plan to smooth out the ride on this busy expressway. But patience will be a necessary companion for those traveling eastbound on I-76 during these select nights. Motorists can thank this proactive approach to infrastructure upkeep for the smoother commutes that await them on the other side of these necessary inconveniences.