UPDATE: The Washington State Department of Transportation sent out a release Thursday afternoon stating the lane closures on state Route 18 beginning tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 28, have been delayed due to weather.

The release stated it will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will be reducing westbound state Route 18 to one lane beginning at 8 tonight, Friday.

The lanes will reopen at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The DOT recommends anyone driving east of Auburn-Black Diamond Road should plan ahead for delays.

The lane reduction is to repair a hillside.

A release stated the WSDOT has been monitoring this area for nearly a year after a slide blocked westbound lanes of SR 18.

“Our geotechnical engineers discovered new cracks a few months ago that indicate the potential for movement in the hillside,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Mike Askarian. “It takes time to put together a project like this. We’re doing the work now to complete it prior to the start of winter.”

The work is also dependant on the weather, the release said.

It could be postponed if rain is forecasted.

The DOT said the biggest delays should come during the afternoon on Monday, Oct. 31.

Drivers should also prepare for up to 30 minute delays on Sunday.

Brief delays are expected today and Saturday.

Alternate routes should be considered, including using SR 516 between Covington and Kent.