Motorists are being warned to expect delays as upgrades to a busy Aberdeen bridge are carried out.
Work on King George VI bridge is due to start on March 14 and is not expected to finish until early June.
Restrictions will be in place during the £330,000 works, which includes resurfacing and waterproofing the crossing, as well as removing granite setts.
Drivers are being advised to avoid the road, which links Great Southern Road and Duthie Park roundabout.
The work is being split into two phases.
For the first phase, all northbound lanes will be closed, while one lane heading south will remain open.
In the second phase, all southbound lanes will be closed, while one lane heading north will remain open.
During both phases, the Bridge of Dee will change to a one-way route in the opposite direction as a diversion. This will use all of the lanes on the bridge and is being done to allow enough width for HGVs to cross the river safely.
The switchover between phases one and two will take place one evening between April 13 and April 27.
Both pavements on the King George VI bridge will be always open for pedestrians during the works.
‘Nightmare’ driving in Aberdeen
It is expected there could be widespread queues while the works are being carried out – particularly as nearby roadworks at North Esplanade West have already been causing delays as part of the long-running South College Street project.
Many people have already taken to social media to ask why all the work is taking place at the same time, potentially causing multiple bottlenecks in the city.
Liam Hadden wrote: “Can we not just have South College Street and North Esplanade West complete first before starting on other main roads?”
Lauren McMillan posted: “Would hate to be a visitor to Aberdeen with no idea where to go when every route is de-toured.”
Laura Bain wrote: “South College Street has been shut for ages. I was a pedestrian two weeks ago wanted to go up to Bridge Street and had to go via Crown Street, now for a disabled person this is unacceptable.
“Causing misery for every car driver.”
Scott Rhind posted: “It will be impossible to drive anywhere in the city if half the roads are closed for roadworks especially near the city centre and Torry.
Gordon Mcgregor wrote: “Will the work on North Esplanade West and South College Street be finished before this adds to the nightmare of travelling through that part of the city?”
Last year, similar works were carried out on the Bridge of Dee which caused long tailbacks – with delays of around 30 minutes reported.
Works will remove granite from the historic Bridge
The works will involve removing the granite setts from an Aberdeen bridge opened by The Queen Mother in 1941.
In a quaint tradition, after the Lady Provost gifted her a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon, her husband King George VI handed the then-Queen a penny to present in return – a superstition ensuring the friendship wouldn’t be severed.
But now more than 80 years later, Aberdeen City Council is preparing to remove some of the bridge’s historic stonework.
Due to it being a B-listed crossing, they had to successfully apply for permission to make the changes back in August.
Hundreds of bricks spanning the Dee will be removed to waterproof the bridge deck.
Once it has been completed, the local authority wants to resurface the central reservation with concrete.
The planning documents stated that using concrete will “reduce the construction programme, and reduces the construction cost”.
Under the scheme, some setts will be kept to retain some of the bridge’s “character” – being relaid at each end of the crossing. Any extra stones will be kept in council storage.
Council promises works will ‘make a difference’ to people
An Aberdeen City Council said the improvements will “make a difference” for people using the roads in the area.
They have encouraged bus passengers to check bus company websites or contact bus companies about how the roadworks affect routes.
A spokeswoman said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the roadworks and would encourage people to take heed of the works, the dates, and plan their route before starting their journey by using alternative routes.”
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