CARMEL, Ind. -- Motorists who use Keystone Avenue in Carmel to get to work might need to invoke some patience or find another route starting Tuesday.

The first phase of a three-year project is designed to eliminate red lights on a five-mile stretch of the road, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

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In the meantime, motorists can look forward to barrels, barricades and backed-up traffic.

Three intersections -- 99th, 106th and 126th streets -- will be closed through Dec. 1 as construction workers undertake the first phase of the Carmel Link project.

Drivers who 6News spoke with said they are preparing but that there isn't much they can do except detour.

"I know the detours, but it's going to make life a lot harder," said Ross Sexter. "It will be a challenge for a while."

"It's going to slow us down a little bit, but with progress, you've got to hurt a little bit," said Pam Huebschman.

The street closures are needed to finish building two temporary lanes where northbound traffic and, later, southbound traffic can be moved in order to keep four lanes flowing on Keystone as interchanges are constructed.

Carmel officials said they have contacted schools, churches and businesses along the construction route to let them know what to plan for.

116th Street will stay open during construction, and Tyler Pontius, manager of Jimmy John's, is hoping customers won't decide to avoid Keystone altogether.

"We're trying to put it out there that we deliver. So, if you can't make it here, we can make it to you," Pontius said.

When the project is completed, north-south traffic will be free flowing, with no traffic lights between 96th and 146th streets. Tear drop-shaped roundabouts will manage east-west traffic flow.