With one of the heaviest travel holidays fast approaching, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is cautioning motorists to plan ahead and use extra care while driving through highway work zones.

According to a press release sent out Friday, AAA predicts a record 39.7 million people will travel by road over the long weekend, starting on Tuesday. That’s 5.1 percent more motorists on the road and last year.

MnDOT has said it will suspend work on most construction projects on the Fourth of July, but motorists may encounter bypasses, lane closures and detours and should be prepared for slower moving traffic.

Recent flooding may also impact travel. Rising water levels from the Minnesota River are causing road closures near Henderson, LeSueur, St. Peter and Sherburn as well as near Shakopee and Chaska.

Motorists should check www.511mn.org to check both flooded areas as well as construction.