Drivers have voiced their anger after it was revealed that roadworks on two commuter routes are set to cause eight months of disruption.
Hampshire County Council is preparing to upgrade the Marchwood Bypass and the A326, both used by thousands of drivers travelling to and from Southampton.
Work is about to start on a new bus lane where the bypass joins the A326 at Bulls Copse.
The lane will enable northbound buses to veer diagonally across the A326 and head up the bypass towards Totton.
Traffic lights will halt vehicles using the southbound carriageway of the A326, allowing the buses to cut across their path.
Temporary lane closures accompanied by a 30mph speed limit have been introduced as contractors prepare to start work. Signs say the work will last 33 weeks.
It comes after the end of controversial lane closures on the Redbridge Causeway.
Totton and Marchwood county councillor David Harrison said: "Travelling around the area by car has been a real trial recently. The Redbridge works caused long tailbacks for months.
"Nobody will welcome news of yet more roadworks.
"Most local people would prefer the money to be used for improved road maintenance, especially fixing potholes."
READ MORE: Residents support proposal to restore passenger services on Totton to Hythe branch line
Drivers have taken to social media to criticise the scheme and the time it will take to complete.
One person posted: "Still trying to find just one person who thinks any of this is a good idea, especially following the millions wasted on the A326 roundabouts.
"Until bus travel gets very cheap and much more frequent it can’t begin to replace cars. Even with government-capped fares of £2 it was still cheaper to drive into Southampton and a whole lot more convenient."
Another social media user described the project as a "harebrained scheme nobody wants".
The county council is also planning improvements to the Rushington end of the bypass, including an enhanced Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Department for Transport is funding the upgrades, which are set to cost £4.3m.
Cllr Nick Adams-King, the county council's executive lead member for universal services, said: "These improvements build on our ambitions to support the local economy by providing better transport links.
“Delivering a scheme of this scale will have significant benefits to the local community.
"I would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and understanding whilst these improvement works are underway. We will be making every effort to keep disruption to a minimum.”
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