Construction on the Central Corridor light-rail line is half finished and on track to be three-quarters done by the end of 2012, the Metropolitan Council said Monday.

“The contractors really hit the ground running in March. We now have work occurring in all areas of the nearly 10-mile-long project, employing more than 3,000 workers to date,” Met Council Chair Sue Haigh said in a statement.

Utility relocations, roadway removal and replacement, track installation, and the structural elements of all 18 stations are on track to be completed by the end of the year.

In 2013 and 2014, installation of the electrical, signaling, and communications systems will take place-and the operations of the trains will be tested.

The Met Council said that the project is on schedule for the light-rail line to begin service in 2014, although a specific service date hasn't yet been announced. The $957 million project will connect Minneapolis and St. Paul along Washington and University avenues. Construction began in late 2010.

Despite the progress that's been achieved to date, highway closures associated with the project are imminent in St. Paul.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Interstate 94 between the Fifth Street/10th Street exit and the ramp to 12th Street will close at 8 p.m. Friday-as will Interstate 35E between 11th Street and the 10th Street/Wacouta exits. The thoroughfares will reopen at 5 a.m. next Monday.

The closures are due to light-rail construction work that will take place on the Cedar Street bridge over the Interstate 35E/Interstate 94 intersection.

For more specific information about upcoming road closures and corresponding detours, click here.