 The cost of the work has been put at �10m |
Proposals have been unveiled for a major programme of works at the Forth Road Bridge this year. Bridge authorities said they hoped to keep traffic disruption to a minimum,
However, a contraflow system will be in operation for several weekends and the bridge will be closed completely on five separate nights.
The �10m programme involves painting of the south tower, cable monitoring and the installation of new electronic pay barriers.
The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) said no works would be carried out in the busy period from the end of June to the end of August.
Night closures
However, in April, May and at the beginning of June the bridge will be reduced to one carriageway at the weekends.
It will be closed completely for three hours in the middle of the night on Tuesday and Thursday nights in May and June.
An acoustic monitoring system will be installed on high cables to listen for faults, following an assessment of low level cables.
A canopy will be erected over the south tower during painting at high levels and Feta said it also wanted to replace the tolling booths on the bridge with an electronic system.
 |  Allow plenty of time for your journey, make sure you have enough fuel and please show consideration for other motorists by getting into the appropriate lane in plenty of time |
Alistair Andrew, Feta general manager, said the bridge closures were essential.
He added: "We have already carried out a number of inspections on the bridge's main cable at a low level and we now need to carry out the same inspections at higher levels.
"This means people will be working some 100 metres above the bridge deck and 150 metres above the chilly waters of the Forth.
"We must ensure the safety of workers and drivers below them. It would be ideal for works to be carried out overnight, however, for obvious health and safety reasons we have to carry out these works during daylight hours."
Inspector David McCulloch, from Fife Police's road traffic department, asked motorists to be patient with delays.
He said: "Roadworks are frustrating but necessary and we urge motorists to be patient while this maintenance is ongoing.
"Allow plenty of time for your journey, make sure you have enough fuel and please show consideration for other motorists by getting into the appropriate lane in plenty of time."
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