Suffolk drivers will have to work their way around lane closures on Pruden Boulevard beginning Wednesday.

Beginning at 8 a.m., a contractor will close two inside lanes – one eastbound and one westbound – in the 5000 block of Pruden Boulevard/Route 460 at Old Myrtle Road, according to a city news release. The work will be for striping in preparation of a new temporary traffic pattern.

Traffic will be moved to the outside lanes and restricted to one lane in each direction until 8 a.m. Thursday.

A contractor will then have both westbound lanes closed starting at 8 a.m. Thursday in the same area. Traffic will shift onto the eastbound lanes and be restricted to one lane in each direction for about four to six weeks.

Message boards have been placed to notify drivers of the shifting traffic pattern. The speed limit in the work zone area will be lowered to 45 mph beginning Thursday and will be in effect for the duration of the project.