Spring may bring colorful flowers and beautiful green grass, but it also brings what is commonly referred to as a pain in the rear, road construction.

Several road projects will be getting underway in and around North Platte in the coming week.

On April 14, construction will begin at the junction of Highway 30 and L79G, just east of North Platte, to mile marker 182.

The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) says the 10-day project will include milling two inches off the existing shoulders and replacing them with new asphalt, and adding shoulder rumblestrips.

During the construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane which will be controlled by flaggers during the daytime hours.

Also starting on the 14th, construction will begin on the South Platte River Bridges in North Platte on Highway 83.

The project will include:

• Removal and replacement of pavement approaches, bridge rail and guardrail on both bridges.
• Repair and overlay of the bridge deck.
• Reconstruction of the sidewalk and replacement of the fence and sidewalk of the southbound bridge.
• Removal and replacement of the existing bridge deck on the northbound bridge.

NDOR says traffic will be reduced to a 10′ width restriction on both bridges with one lane traffic being maintained throughout the duration of the construction.

During Phase 1, pedestrian traffic will not be allowed to cross either the north or southbound bridge.  However, during Phase 2, pedestrian traffic will be allowed to resume on the southbound bridge.

Officials say delays should be expected and motorists should consider an alternate route.

The project is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2014.