Roadworks will be in place on the A35 for five months after a landslip was identified.
The road stabilisation project will see one lane closed on the dual carriageway Chideock Hill.
Work will begin on Monday, July 3, with traffic management installed on Friday, June 30 under the scheduled overnight maintenance closure of the A35 between Axminster and Bridport (8pm to 6am).
The landslip has been identified on land adjoining the A35 to the west of Chideock.
National Highways contractors will begin stabilisation work to the road on Monday in order to avoid further deterioration and safety risks to drivers.
It comes as part of a stabilisation scheme worth £2 million.
The complex operation will see the westbound climbing lane at Chideock Hill removed, with the lane utilised for construction traffic.
The two lanes remaining will be used for eastbound and westbound traffic.
The £2 million stabilisation scheme is expected to take five months to complete, which could cause disruption on the major road until December.
The work will be carried out by specialists South West Highways, Balfour Beatty and sub-contractors, and involves excavating the slipped material before stabilising the ground with more robust material and installing an enhanced drainage system.
National Highways Service Manager Stephen Potts said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating but we need to carry out this work to ensure the long-term integrity of this section of the A35.
“This time of year provides the best conditions for building earthworks and ground conditions are optimum now.
“The layout change is purely to allow contractors safe access to the site for plant, equipment and materials. And although there won’t be a climbing lane in operation for some time, we are maintaining traffic flows with a single lane in each direction.
“The stabilisation work will take place on land adjoining the A35, we’re working and communicating with local residents to ensure the impact of noise, vibration and dust is kept to a minimum, and we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience.”
Drivers in Dorset are advised to allow extra time for their journeys once work starts next week
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