Beginning some time tonight or early Friday morning, motorists traveling north on Highway 99 will get to use the new northbound lanes between Cressey Way and Hammatt Avenue in Livingston.

Troy Bowers, California Department of Transportation spokesman, said the transition between current and new northbound lanes will take place today between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Friday, depending on the progress of restriping.

The existing northbound lanes ultimately will become the new southbound lanes. The existing two southbound lanes will stay open to traffic until the new southbound alignment is completed next January, Bowers said.

The $26.5 million project includes a new interchange at Sultana Drive with onramps and offramps, a frontage road from south of Arena Way to Hammatt Avenue, and a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad.

-- Doane Yawger