Anyone planning to take I-95 through Westport this weekend is urged to find another route.

A bridge replacement project will begin tonight and run through Monday. Rain will not affect the work.

Starting Friday night, all northbound lanes will be shut down at Exit 17 for a major bridge replacement. All traffic will have to squeeze into the southbound lanes headed toward Norwalk, with all lanes re-opening by 6 a.m. on Monday.

Earlier this week, Michael Rosenblatt, the DOT's project manager, had this warning for drivers: "Use alternate transportation methods, like the parkway or I-84. Other projects will not be running that weekend."

In just one weekend, Rosenblatt's team will tear down the existing bridge over Saugatuck Avenue in Westport and – literally – slide a new one into place.

The bridge replacement is part of the larger I-95 Norwalk Westport Project, which is set to conclude in about a year. In addition to bridge repairs, the project is also improving drainage to stop major flooding around Exit 16 in East Norwalk.