Commuters could face a ”month of chaos” due to roadworks on one of the arterial routes into Perth.
Repair works, which will take place over two phases and cost an estimated £200,000, will be carried out by BEAR Scotland on the A9 overbridge on Crieff Road in Perth, at the junction with the A85, starting on Sunday evening.
A spokesman for BEAR Scotland said the work will initially refurbish the bridge deck carrying the A85 and has been planned for some time.
He said it is ”inevitable” that there will be ”considerable disruption and delays” and there will be changes to bus timetables.
This will close the inbound carriageway to traffic for up to 29 days. All eastbound traffic entering Perth will be diverted to the A9 northbound to turn around at the signalised Inveralmond roundabout and rejoin the A85 via the A9 southbound off slip.
A9 northbound traffic from Broxden roundabout intending to head into Perth at the A85 junction will be diverted on to the same route.
During four full overnight closures, westbound traffic on the A85 will be diverted via the A9 to Broxden roundabout.
The second phase will repair the central pier below the bridge deck and will take place early next year.
The A85 Crieff Road is one of the arterial routes into Perth and is renowned for traffic congestion at the junction with the A9 overbridge.
Iain McPhail (47), of Crieff, who is a regular commuter into Perth, said he foresees a ”month of chaos” on the A85 at its junction with the A9 overbridge due to the repair work.
”This road into Perth gets congested most days at rush hour so these diversions will make it ten times worse it will lead to a month of chaos,” he said.
”There is a lot of traffic coming into Perth on the A85 and it gets snagged up in the morning when people are going to work. With motorists being diverted on to the Inveralmond I can envisage mayhem for traffic during this work.”
Motorists will be warned of the repair work with signs being displayed on electronic boards.
The Bear Scotland spokesman said: ”We will be undertaking significant works at this particular bridge, which are scheduled to last for 29 days.
”The works will be carried out maintaining vehicle traffic flow on the A85 in the westbound direction only (heading out of Perth) with the exception of four full overnight closures of the bridge.
”Pedestrians and cyclist will always be permitted to use the bridge in both directions, under escort at certain stages of construction.
”The works are to repair the central bridge pillar and have been planned for a long time.”
He added: ”It is inevitable that there will be considerable disruption and delays and we would encourage travellers to plan and allow additional time for their journeys.”
Access to businesses will be maintained.