If it’s summer, that means it’s road construction time. The key here is patience.

Yes, we all scratched our heads as we made like grand prix drivers swerving in and out on Springfield Road trying to miss all those raised manhole covers. But look at the result. Now it’s smooth sailing from Route 1 all the way to Clifton Heights.

A similar scene played out a month before on Baltimore Pike. Getting there was not a lot of fun. But the finished product made it worth the aggravation.

Now the stakes are getting cranked up a bit.

A major overhaul will be unveiled on the Schuylkill Expressway. An $8 million project will mean repaving on a 12-mile stretch from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to City Line Avenue. Unfortunately, it also means lane closures.

The good news is that most of this work is slated to be done in the overnight hours. Crews will be on the scene 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., effectively missing both the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The project will start in the eastbound lanes. We’re talking milling and then laying down new asphalt, much as was done on Baltimore Pike and Springfield Road.

PennDOT estimates 186,000 vehicles use that stretch of the Schuylkill every day. If you’re one of them, here’s a tip. Take a deep breath.

And keep thinking about how nice it will be when it’s done.