BOSTON (CBS) – It’s not even summer yet and traffic getting off Cape Cod is a mess. Work on the Sagamore Bridge has reduced traffic to one lane in each direction.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the Sagamore Bridge in the 30′s, is doing maintenance, but it’s not routine says spokesman Timothy Duggan.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Laurie Kirby reports

“It involves the removal and replacement of some of the structural steel,” says Duggan, “basically trying to make the bridge stronger.”

Construction closes two lanes on Sagamore Bridge.

Duggan says they are aware of the frustrations and try to avoid doing heavy work Memorial Day to Labor Day, but this year, the weather brought out an unexpected number of drivers heading on and off the Cape.

WBZ traffic reporter Nicole Davis says there were seven mile backups on Sunday. Some drivers stayed in the same spot for as long as two hours.

“We apologize for any inconvenience but we ask for their understanding while we try to get this work done,” says Duggan.

This current work is scheduled to be done by Memorial Day weekend.