AUGUSTA -- Construction work on the east side rotary, often called Cony Circle, began this morning, Maine Department of Transportation officials said.

Today's construction began with Middle Street, which will eventually become a one-way, eastbound street.

As construction -- including adding a lane at all the rotary exits -- continues, drivers will need to exert caution. MaineDOT is encouraging drivers to use the Third Bridge in Augusta or the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge which connects Gardiner to Randolph, rather than the Memorial Bridge.

The project will continue into mid-November, officials said, and then resume in the spring.