Dublin's 184-year-old Ha'penny Bridge is to close for three months later this year for repairs estimated to cost almost £1 million.
The bridge is literally creaking under the weight of 4,000 Dubliners crossing every hour at peak times, and Dublin Corporation said it would have to close it permanently if the running repairs were not done this year.
A large section of the bridge's railings "had already completely failed" and some of the railings were held together by straps, the corporation said.
In addition, "the main base plate and kick plate at the base of the railings" had fallen away in places. The deck of the bridge was in "poor condition".
The numbers crossing it during busy shopping periods meant gardai sometimes had to operate crowd-control measures to prevent "adverse loading", according to the corporation.
With 27,000 people crossing every day, compared to 450 when it opened in 1816, the corporation said it was "imperative" that the bridge, particularly the railings, be "brought into compliance with the present safety requirements".
In a report to be presented to Dublin City Council next week the city manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, will say that the bridge is one of Dublin's most famous landmarks and its neatly-curved silhouette has been featured in postcards, books and television documentaries.
During the renovations to the bridge - officially known as the Liffey Bridge - pedestrians are advised to use the new Millennium Bridge nearby. A temporary bridge may also be erected alongside it for pedestrians, said the corporation.
Traders with businesses on either side of the bridge have expressed concern that shoppers may go elsewhere during the repair period. However the corporation hopes the interim arrangements will prevent this.
The national heritage service, Duchas, has expressed concern to the corporation that the areas where the old halfpenny toll booths were situated are to be eliminated as part of the plan. The corporation hoped to retain these, but Mr Fitzgerald's report makes clear that in order to permit pedestrians to have more space, they may have to go.
It is proposed to replace the railings with ductile iron which, according to the corporation, provides "major safety" protection when subjected to crowds of shoppers on Saturday afternoons.