Motorists on the A9 will face three weeks of disruption next month as essential maintenance work is carried out on the Dornoch Bridge.
A total £190,000 worth of improvements to the structure’s expansion joints will start on Monday, December 5.
The bridge will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am for the first eight nights of the works, resulting in a 35-minute diversion via Bonar Bridge.
Pedestrians and cyclists can be escorted through the site when safe to do so and emergency vehicles will be allowed through upon notification of the site team.
The overnight closures are needed because the workforce requires the full width of the bridge to access the expansion joints during this first phase.
The joints are showing signs of wear and this programme will increase their durability to ensure the bridge continues to function safely for road users for many more years.
The second phase of the works will take place during the day and the bridge will remain open with temporary traffic lights in operation with the road reduced to one lane.
BEAR Scotland’s spokesman for the North West Unit, Eddie Ross, said: “We’ve taken steps to minimise disruption as much as possible by carrying out the works overnight where possible, and scheduling the works programme to take place in the winter months when traffic flows are generally quieter.”
East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Jim McGillivray said: “I know of one or two people who will be severely affected – people who are working shifts on the south side and the north side of the bridge. There will be people at Skibo Castle working shifts who are coming back late and people working in the Asda and Tesco supermarkets on late shifts who will have to rearrange their travel.
“It’s just the way of these things and they like to do it as quickly as possible. Winter has the least traffic density and if they are aiming to get the misery out of the way now then so be it.”