A historic bridge has been closed for repairs – leaving motorists in the Inverurie area facing a 15-mile diversion.
Roads bosses have shut the Keith Hall road bridge, which is part of the B933 Tillyfourie to Whiterashes road, for five days.
The closure will allow Aberdeenshire Council’s staff to remove scaffolding and also carry out pointing work to the structure.
However the work means the bridge will be closed and drivers will be forced to take an alternative route, which will mean they have to travel about 15 miles.
Motorists will have to travel to Kintore, then Hatton of Fintray, to Kinmuck and onto Keithhall or vice-versa.
Councillor Neil Baillie, who represents the Inverurie and District ward, said: “It’s unfortunate that it is such a long diversion but it’s necessary to allow this work to be carried out.
“There is scaffolding to be removed and also pointing to be done, as well as new signage on the railway line.
“Tying together all of this takes a wee bit of time which is why it’s going to take as long as five days.
“However it is for the long-term benefit of Inverurie.”
A council spokesman said: “Site notices will indicate the closure and the alternative route via B993 to A96, A96 to B977 Kintore, B977 and B979 to Hatton of Fintray and C67c Kinmuck to Keith Hall and vice versa.”
Last week Network Rail revealed it was progressing with work to dual the railway line between the town and Dyce.
Groundworks have started on the first major element of the project, an upgrade of the Don viaduct at Port Elphinstone.
The Victorian-era structure needs strengthening if it is to accommodate the weight of more trains.
This work will begin in January with the overall project expected to be completed by June.
The line between Aberdeen and Dyce was twin-tracked over 14 weeks this summer.
Improvements have already been completed between Elgin and the north.