Bay Street Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic in the eastbound direction (towards downtown) for over 5 months starting next week.

Starting at 9 a.m. next Tuesday, May 21st, vehicles heading to downtown Victoria will have to take the Johnson Street bridge, as the City of Victoria begins a lengthy renovation project on the Point Ellice Bridge.

See also: Here’s how you can be the new Johnson Street Bridge operator

The $6.1 million project includes repairs to the concrete deck, rust protection of the steel, resurfacing the bridge deck and stripping and painting the steel on the underside of the bridge.

Although the City has not planned full bridge closures, an advisory warns that this may be necessary “on rare occasions during the project and will be coordinated as information becomes available.”

Pedestrian and wheelchair access will be maintained across the Bay Street Bridge, however cyclists will be required to dismount and wheel their bikes across with the pedestrians.

While the Galloping Goose Trail will remain open for the duration of the renovations, cyclists and pedestrians using the trail may experience minor delays as equipment is moved into place.

BC Transit has already rerouted bus services to accommodate the construction dates.

Access to businesses and homes in the area will be maintained during the project and the City promises to work with its contractors to minimize disruptions.