VITAL work to stabilise a bridge in Binstead is due to begin on Tuesday.
Trees next to a stretch of road that runs up to Rufflers Way on Binstead Road are undermining the bank beneath the highway, threatening the stability of the road.
Highways bosses are removing more than a dozen trees, repairing the bank and also replacing the bridge parapets.
The repairs have been scheduled to avoid the busy summer season and Bestival and take advantage of the period when traffic flows are at their lowest.
Once the work has been completed, new trees will be planted with root guards to prevent the problem reoccurring.
Highways chiefs expect the work to take about 15 weeks and the road will remain open, with temporary traffic lights.
The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Edward Giles, said: "I do appreciate these works will cause some delays for motorists but by acting now we can get these done with the minimum of disruption.
"If not, and the bridge was to collapse, we could lose the use of one of the Island’s busiest routes for a significant period of time."
Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk