GAINESVILLE — The Dawsonville Highway (Hwy. 53) westbound bridge over Lake Lanier is scheduled to be partially closed this weekend for Georgia Department of Transportation work.

The left lane of the two-lane bridge in western Hall County is scheduled to be closed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to allow for scaffolding to be installed so the bridge can be painted.

The painting is part of an overall bridge rehabilitation project that calls for a new driving surface, installation of bridge joints and other work.

Motorists have long complained about the rough driving surface. In addition to repairs, the DOT plans to install a new epoxy coating to protect it.

“This is a long-term fix instead of the Band-Aids we’ve been doing out there,” said DOT district spokeswoman Teri Pope.

Work on the nearly $3 million project began in mid-October and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

The bridge was built in 1956 and last resurfaced in 1992.