Drivers who use Route 902 between Summit Hill and Lehighton and Route 443 in West Penn Township may have to find a new route as PennDOT kicks off two months-long construction projects.

PennDOT plans to resurface four miles of Route 902 as part of the 10-month-long project; while crews will resurface Route 443 from the Carbon/Schuylkill County line to Route 309 in South Tamaqua.The projects are not expected to close the roads entirely, however PennDOT officials say that motorists can expect lane closures during the week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. throughout the projects.Route 902Starting Monday, contractors will begin work on a $1,797,039 project that is expected to take until Sept. 2016. The work will occur between East Ludlow Street in Summit Hill and Mill Road in Mahoning Township.PennDOT officials say that the project will make repairs to the road's base, resurfacing, new guide rail, drainage improvements, and new pavement markings.It will affect the daily commute.Between 3,300 and 4,500 vehicles use the route each day, according to PennDOT figures.The pavement improvement project is financed with state funds from Pennsylvania's transportation plan, Act 89.All work is expected to be complete in September 2016.Route 443The $2,588,400 pavement improvement project is financed with state funds from Pennsylvania's transportation plan, Act 89.The project includes road milling and paving, guiderail upgrades and new pavement markings on Route 443 between Route 309 and the Carbon County line.Lehigh Asphalt Paving & Construction Co. of Tamaqua is the general contractor on both projects. All work is expected to be complete in August 2016.The average daily traffic volume on this section of Route 443 is 4,034 vehicles.Stay alert in work zonesAccording to PennDOT, the projects will require lane restrictions weekdays throughout the day. The contractor may also do some work on weekends.Motorists are reminded to be alert for these operations, to obey work zone signs, and to slow down when approaching and traveling through work zones.These precautions are not only for their safety, but for the safety of the road crews.Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting

www.511PA.com.