The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will suspend non-emergency roadwork over the Labor Day weekend to help reduce congestion and speed traffic.

Thousands of motorists are expected to hit the roads in Illinois during the three-day holiday.

The state agency is also giving advance notice of lane closures that will remain in place.

The halt in construction will start at 3 p.m. Friday through the end of Monday.

Officials are urging drivers to slow down, obey speed limits and drive carefully through work zone. Construction zone speed limits remain in effect even when work crews are not present.