Rush hours in downtown Winnipeg are about to get a bit busier as a major closure begins on the weekend.

Both directions of Broadway will be completely closed between Kennedy Street and Memorial Boulevard from Saturday, May 15 until September 30.

The closure is required to facilitate remediation work to underground utility passages that run between the Legislative Building and the Legislative Building Powerhouse, the City of Winnipeg says in a release.

Additionally, there will be no access to westbound Broadway from Kennedy Street or eastbound Broadway from Memorial Boulevard during the closure. Pedestrian access will be maintained on one side of Broadway at all times.

Motorists should allow for additional travel time and use alternate routes, such as York Avenue, St. Mary Avenue, or Portage Avenue, to reach their destinations.