Motorists driving on the Kansas Turnpike should anticipate lane changes Thursday as they travel through the work zone just east of Lawrence.

This summer, a 3-mile stretch of the highway from the East Lawrence interchange to the Lawrence service area had been reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic has been moving along the eastbound lane to allow crews to dig up the 50-year-old concrete road in the westbound lane and replace it with a 10-inch rock base topped by 18 inches of asphalt.

On Thursday, the Kansas Turnpike Authority expects to finish reconstructing the westbound lane and have it open for traffic. Plans then call for work to start on the eastbound lane.

After rush hour Thursday morning, crews will begin moving concrete median barriers so westbound traffic can shift back to the westbound lane.

Eastbound traffic is expected to move into the westbound lane Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. One lane will be open in each direction through the work zone.

During the change, motorists should be on the lookout for signs or flaggers directing traffic. KTA doesn’t anticipate any significant traffic delays during the lane changes, KTA spokeswoman Rachel Bell said.

The switch means that KTA is past the halfway point in rebuilding the 3-mile stretch of road. KTA project engineer Rex Fleming said the first phase of the project is still on track to be finished by Nov. 13.

But this won’t be the end of it. Next spring, KTA will resume work on the road. The second phase will include 3 miles east of the Lawrence service area.