Crews are about to get to work on a project local drivers have been waiting a long time for.

“CDOT is very excited about this project, it’s been needed for a long time now,” said Dan Hunt, project manager.

Construction will begin in March to widen I-25 between north Colorado Springs and Monument.

The project will add one lane in each direction, making it three lanes, between Woodmen Road in the Springs and State Highway 105 in Monument. That’s about an 11 miles stretch.

But motorists will have to drive slower during the construction phase and at night deal with lane closures.

Speeds limits during the day will decrease by 10, making 75 down to 65, etc. At night, it will decrease even more. Sunday through Thursday driving will be down to one lane.

Crews are asking drivers to be safe.

"This is our office, you're running through our office. We work there. Please pay attention, stay focused, engaged, and let's all go home safe,” said Mike McDonald, project contractor.

The goal of the project is to improve safety, ease congestion and improve access onto and off the interstate.

They have until July of 2014 to complete the $60 million project, but their goal is to have it finished by the end of 2013.