The city of San Marcos will close North LBJ Drive from Hopkins Street to University Drive beginning at 3 a.m. March 19 to restripe parking spaces that currently allow for back-in parking.

City Council voted to convert the back-in spaces on North LBJ to traditional front-in parking in January, after years of complaints from residents and business owners that the back-in parking made visiting downtown difficult.

The back-in parking spaces on Hutchison will not be affected. The change will not cause a reduction in the number of spaces available on North LBJ.

City officials estimated in January the switch to front-in parking would cost about $7,000.

In January, Christie Maycock, owner of Christie’s Jewelers on North LBJ, said she does not mind whatever construction occurs outside her store, as long as the back-in spaces are converted.

“The minor inconvenience of construction [to change the parking] is totally worth it,” Maycock said.

The road will be closed until Monday morning, according to a city news release.