Why are the DoT describing it as "maintenance work in preparation for the TT"? Presumably verge marker maintenance, patching, catseye replacement and painting bridges and kerbs are mainly for the benefit of the users of open roads; only the temporary signage is specifically to do with the TT (and MGP). Making it sound as though it is just for the TT is going to encourage people to moan about all the "inconveniences" the event causes. Logically then, if it wasn't for the TT the DoT wouldn't carry out any maintenance and the mountain section would eventually be a rough old track again.