Delays are thought to be reaching twenty minutes maximum, with traffic on the bridge reduced to one lane in each direction and a 30mph speed limit in place.
Cameron Gair, Transport Scotland’s Bridge Asset Manager, said: "I would like to thank drivers for their patience as these works get under way. There will clearly be long-term benefits for commuters but as with any repairs project of this size, there will be disruption while these are delivered and the travelling public and local communities are to be commended for taking on board recent advice to plan their journey in advance and to avoid driving during peak time where possible.
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"I would encourage drivers to bear this in mind and to continue to look at public transport and other options for the remainder of this 17-week project, when delays could still reach an hour at peak times."
Some concerns had been raised by cyclists regarding the options for cycling into Inverness during the works.
Mr Gair added: "A safe cycle route through the works was very much part of our planning and we have been able to provide this. The route is slightly longer but for us, the priority had to be safety and having cyclists crossing a dual carriageway during roadworks was simply not an option.
"In the long run, cyclists will see some real benefits from these works, with cycle paths upgraded and maintained from the Tore area, heading over the bridge and all the way to Raigmore. Increased parapets on the bridge itself will separate them from the traffic, whilst the cycleways on the bridge will be resurfaced using the same state of the art material being used on the road surface."
The £13m upgrade will be carried out between 11 February and June 2013 and between February and June 2014.
(IT)
