The Queen Alexandra Bridge in Sunderland will be fully closed for a week-long inspection.
The Grade II listed bridge, which is 111-years-old this year, will be closed for an inspection of all sections of the bridge, including rope access work and riverside inspection by divers.
The closure affects both north and southbound traffic for seven days and begins on Monday 27 January. The bridge will re-open on Monday 3 February.
Drivers are being advised to use alternate river crossings such as the Northern Spire during the closure.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the bridge throughout the inspection.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Amy Wilson said: "Just like house and property maintenance or a car with its MOT, structures such as the Queen Alexandra Bridge have routine inspections which inform maintenance activities.
"To complete the survey in an appropriate timescale and in a safe working environment for the inspection team, there needs to be full access to all of the structure. Therefore it is necessary to have complete closure of the bridge to road traffic."
The last major works on the bridge were in 2005/2006 when the deck was resurfaced and its steelwork refurbished and repainted.
