Work on a bridge for the Weymouth Relief Road will permanently close a section of Ridgeway Hill from Monday.

Traffic signals will be in use on Ridgeway Hill over the weekend, starting at 8pm on Saturday, to allow new road markings to be put in place for the lane closure next week.

Part of the new bridge foundation is in the Weymouth-bound carriageway at the top of Ridgeway Hill, meaning that this section of the lane has to be closed.

Southbound traffic will be diverted into the middle lane, to go around the construction work, and will then be redirected back onto the southbound lane.

Two-way traffic flow will be maintained at all times.

Dorset County Council head of highways Andy Ackerman said: “The closure will ensure that drivers are not tempted into making risky overtaking manoeuvres.”

The new bridge will maintain farm, pedestrian and horse rider access over the relief road and It will carry the new cycleway safely across the road.

The relief road will open in spring 2011.