Moray Council has said an important road bridge over the River Spey is to close to traffic later this month.

The move comes in order to allow major repairs to be carried out on the bridge.

The bridge, which will close on 16 September, is a strategic crossing point over the Spey and is a vital economic link for the area's whiskey industry.

Work to re-deck Boat o'Brig at Orton will continue until mid-April 2014 and is being funded by additional money awarded to the local authority by the Scottish Government for capital projects.

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Throughout the seven-month closure, diversions will be in place and signposted via the A95 to the east of the river and the B9015 to the west of the river, with traffic crossing the Spey at the closest upstream road bridge at Craigellachie.

The condition of the current deck has deteriorated significantly in recent years and if restoration work is not undertaken, the bridge may have been forced to close to heavy goods' vehicles, and eventually, to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The entire deck is due to be replaced with a precast reinforced concrete section, which should give the refurbished structure a lifespan of up to 120 years. The lower half of the steelwork will be cleaned and painted to extend its life by up to 25 years.

(JP/MH)