Vital preservation work on a crumbling Aberdeen bridge will begin this month.
Reconstructing the deteriorated Rob Roy Bridge in Peterculter will take around 26 weeks to complete, and will cost an estimated £530,000.
The historic river crossing, which has existed for more than 200 years, is one of the primary routes for commuters travelling to and from Aberdeenshire from the west of the city.
It is famous for its statue of the kilted Scottish hero which gives it its name.
However, this constant use has had a huge impact on the bridge’s structural integrity, which the city council aims to remedy by rebuilding it to modern standards.
Over the course of the works, there will be periods of full road closures – limited to weekends only – to allow the safe installation and removal of key pieces of the stonework.
Throughout the entirety of the project a traffic light system will be in operation.
Neil Cooney, the convener of the city council’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee, said: “Rob Roy Bridge forms part of the adopted road network and has long been identified as a structure, requiring significant remedial works.
“We are co-ordinating the work along with the programme of works for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route in order to keep disruption to the travelling public to a minimum, with the structure restricted to a single lane with traffic lights for most of the works.
“It was deemed to cause less disruption to have the works carried out at the same time, rather than wait until after the AWPR is finished.
“Due to the complex nature of the work, and that it is a very restricted site, it will be necessary to have complete closures and times and the intention is to limit these to weekends.
“We appreciate people’s patience while the works are being carried out.”
Emergency vehicles will be able to cross under supervision when the bridge is officially closed, and pedestrians will be allowed across at all times.
A signed diversion will be put in place via the B9077 South Deeside Road when required.