The world's smallest drawbridge is to undergo repairs tomorrow as engineers correct a structural problem.

Staff from the Works and Engineering department will start work on Somerset Bridge tomorrow morning with work expected to last late into the evening.

Motorists are being advised to expect delays as workmen will close one half of the bridge at a time until the repairs are finished.

Yesterday principal civil engineer Christopher Andrews and principal highways engineer Ian MacLeod said the repair work would cost about $15,000.

However they said it was short-term work and a strategy was being drawn up for the long-term protection of the bridge.

"We are looking at long-term solutions to preserving the bridge and reduce the amount of repair work which is reequired,'' said Mr. Andrews.

The need for repairs was highlighted following a review of Bermuda's bridges.

Work was last carried out on Somerset Bridge 14 years ago.

Tomorrow workmen will add a third layer of decking, or planking, to the bridge and will start work at about 8.30 a.m.

"There are some structural defects with the bridge and we will have to replace some of the decking, putting in an extra layer over the top,'' added Mr. Andrews.