The University of MinnesotaâÄôs West Bank will see the first signs of construction for the Central Corridor on Monday morning.

Both Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy will be moving and upgrading utility lines near Washington and Cedar avenues south.

Westbound traffic on Washington will be closed between 19th Avenue and Cedar Avenue. Traffic will be diverted to the Cedar Avenue on- and off-ramps to continue toward downtown. Eastbound traffic on Washington will be restricted to one lane.

No bus stops have been changed during this week. It is uncertain how long the road will be closed.

Laura Baenen, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Council, said the construction closings will change every week or so.

âÄú[The work] will be going on through the spring,âÄù Baenen said. âÄúBut these closures and detours will not stay the same.âÄù

Construction of the Central Corridor line itself is expected to start on the West Bank in spring 2011.