First Avenue East lanes close as construction project starts

A construction project slowed traffic on First Avenue East in Cedar Rapids this morning -- the first day in what's expected to be a five-month project.

Here's more information on the project from the City of Cedar Rapids:

Starting Monday, May 17, First Avenue East from 17th Street SE to Cottage Grove Avenue will be closed for a capital improvement project, including pavement rehabilitation and sanitary sewer replacement. The total project will take approximately five months. The first phase that is scheduled until mid July will close the south bound lanes that run into the downtown. It will also close the access of 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Streets NE onto First Avenue. Traffic on First Avenue will be limited to one lane in each direction. Traffic delays should be expected during peak flow times.