The replacement of a culvert at Woodland Drive to facilitate the new St. Mary’s Medical Center complex will force the closure of a portion of that roadway Saturday, Mayor Rich Blankenship said.

The closure will affect Woodland at or near its intersection with Ora Richey Road. Blankenship said people who need access to Woodland Drive will be detoured through the medical center parking lot.

“I appreciate everyone’s patience,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship said, Tri-Cities Paving will begin widening and paving the road next week to accommodate the flow of traffic once the new medical center opens.

The new St. Mary’s 48,000-square-feet complex is scheduled to open later this summer, bringing 50 new jobs.