Those hoping to travel across Weymouth Town Bridge anytime between now and 20th May will have to change their journey plans, as it is closing until then for maintenance.
Major repairs and maintainance work were commissioned by Dorset County Council after serious wear and tear to the Grade-II listed structure was discovered.
Vehicles will be diverted via Commercial Road and Swannery Bridge.
The bridge will remain open to pedestrians during refurbishment. It will also reopen briefly to traffic during the Easter holiday period, from the 7th to the 15th of April.
Mike Winter, the county council’s head of highways management, said: “This kind of work is highly weather-dependent – it’s too risky to do it any earlier in the year, and has been timed to avoid the busy Christmas and summer periods.
“Night working was considered but would cause too much noise and disturbance to local residents. However, the contractors will work at weekends.”
The work will include replacing the steel deck with a thicker, more durable one, resurfacing the deck, repairing the handrails and repainting the lanterns.
Anyone looking for information about local bus route alterations should call First Buses’ customer service centre on 0870 0106022.
