An iconic crossing which links a north-east community to award-winning sands will reopen this month.
Ladies Bridge in Cruden Bay has suffered years of neglect with safety fears over the structure leading the local authority to replace the 93-year-old landmark in March.
Its £178,000 replacement will officially open on Monday and has been described as a “fine replica” of the original.
It is hoped the new-look Ladies Bridge will benefit tourism in the small Buchan village rather than put people off from making the crossing to the sands.
Hugh McIntyre, the chairman of the village’s community association, said: “We are extremely pleased at the construction to make sure it was open well before the summer holidays.
“We look forward to its continued use and the council’s commitment to take on its maintenance. As we pointed out in earlier negotiations, there was an urgency to replace it.
“We have noticed in the past there has been significant impacts on local trade over the summer due to a lack of passing trade when people realise they can’t get access to the beach.”
The new bridge is built from Ekki hardwood – a more durable and weather-resistant wood than the original timber.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said the bridge now had “considerable strength”.
And Stuart Pratt, the chairman of the Buchan area committee which approved the replacement, said building a new crossing was more “viable” than constant refurbishments.
“The realisation of the project will no doubt be gladly welcomed by the local community and I would like to thank everyone for their patience of the past five or six years,” he added.
David Aitchison, chairman of infrastructure services committee, also welcomed the new bridge.
“The new bridge looks marvellous and is a fine replica of the original structure whilst using more modern and durable materials to further its lifespan,” he said.
Over the past decade, the bridge was routinely closed because of the danger it posed.
There were even fears the crossing, which was built in 1922 after a local fundraising drive by women in the area, could collapse while someone was on it, with potentially fatal consequences.