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

One of the lanes of the bridge in western Hall County is scheduled to be closed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to allow for painting.

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

Last weekend scaffolding was installed in preparation for the painting.

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,” DOT district spokeswoman Teri Pope has said.

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.