A North-East landmark is to be painted for the first time in 11 years as part of a refurbishment programme.
Work begins on Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge, on Saturday - the start of a 40-week restoration programme.
Motorists are warned that bridge traffic will be affected until the end of October.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from Saturday until the end of August to allow the bridge deck to be waterproofed.
During the same period, painting work will be carried out above the road.
Work above the bridge deck should be completed and traffic restrictions lifted by the end of October.
Painting below the bridge is expected to continue until February, but it will not affect traffic or pedestrians.
Most disruption is expected during the early months of the new football season, when lanes will be closed off on the bridge after Sunderland Football Club's home games.
Apart from some planned overnight closures, the bridge will remain open to pedestrians and traffic throughout the maintenance programme.
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