Bertha, the huge Seattle waterfront tunnel drill, is expected to begin drilling again on Dec. 23. Forget the delays and the project costs, let’s talk about traffic inconvenience.

Related: Bertha on schedule to resume tunneling by Christmas

Basically, the one-mile stretch of Aurora Avenue North through South Lake Union will lose one lane in each direction for roughly seven weeks beginning in January. During this construction period, you’ll see new overhead tunnel signs and medians.

A spokesperson with the Washington State Department of Transportation says the closures are needed for the safety of workers.

Aurora Avenue North will also be closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street for part of Dec. 18-19. Northbound lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Southbound lanes will be closed 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. – 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, but one lane will remain closed until 1 p.m. Contractor crews will be setting up a work zone between each direction of the highway.

The Seattle tunnel project is expected to be finished by 2018.