It’s the season for construction projects to get underway and the New York State DOT already has a big improvement project planned for downtown Albany. Erin Vannella has more.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Construction season has gotten underway in the Capital Region. The New York State DOT has announced a big improvement project for downtown Albany.

The $20.8 million project is reconstructing a part of 787 between exits 3B and 4 in Albany.

Workers are replacing the concrete driving surface, bridge bearings and joints and fixing up the Clinton Avenue interchange ramps.

DOT officials say that drivers who are inconvenienced by the project will need to be patient.

"You will see state workforce and you will see the contractor workforce. When you see these workers, you need to slow down. It is imperative that motorists drive cautiously and stay alert so that our roads stay safe for both travelers and workers. This is construction season," said New York State DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald.

Work began last week and the left lane will be closed until early June. Then from June to September, the right lane will be closed, as well as the northbound Clinton Avenue ramp.

The project is expected to be finished by November.