The north section of the U.S. Highway 53 bypass project around Eau Claire is set to open June 25, said Rick Shermo, project development supervisor for the Department of Transportation in Eau Claire.

The section opening includes the area north of the North Crossing interchange.

When the project concludes, the four-lane divided highway will extend from the Highway 53/Golf Road interchange area to a new Highway 29/53 interchange in Lake Hallie.

Drivers along the Highway 53 corridor can expect delays again as construction resumes this week in the Highway 93/Golf Road area, Shermo said.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Highway 93 to Golf Road, as workers continue construction on overpasses and ramps, he said.

Construction on the 7.5 mile-project began in August 2002 and is scheduled for completion in spring of 2006. The project, which took more than 20 years of planning, costs $100 million.