Traffic may be a bit more congested than usual for some Memorial University of Newfoundland employees and students on a portion of the St. John's campus as the fall semester gets underway.

Provincial Transportation and Works minister Tom Rideout has announced that road and bridge work will be continuing at the west entrance to Clinch Crescent near the Health Sciences Centre.

Some traffic slowdowns can be expected in the area, especially as students, staff and faculty return to regular work schedules.

“It is anticipated that traffic in the area will increase as students return to Memorial University of Newfoundland and vacationers return from their summer holidays,” said Minister Rideout. “For this reason, my department is taking steps to address the increased traffic.”

The provincial government will have the contractor put in a by-pass at the intersection where work is being completed to help alleviate the increased volume of left-turning traffic between 7-10 a.m., Monday to Friday, during morning traffic.

Left-turning traffic into the Health Sciences Centre will have to use the Clinch Crescent east access outside of these hours.

During the peak evening traffic, between 3-6 p.m., the temporary by-pass will accommodate west bound traffic only exiting the hospital.

The temporary by-pass is expected to be in place by Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Minister Rideout encouraged motorists to find alternate routes, if possible, as construction continues.

“This is very important work in that the replacement of culverts with a concrete bridge will substantially reduce the potential for flooding problems and ensure safe and reliable access to the Health Sciences Centre and Janeway Children's Hospital,” he said.

The road work and construction should be completed by early October.