New Forth crossing opens to traffic

Published on Wednesday 19 November 2008 21:14

TRAFFIC started flowing over a new landmark bridge yesterday after Alex Salmond opened the first new Forth crossing for 44 years.

The 120 million Clackmannanshire Bridge is expected to ease a traffic bottleneck on the adjacent Kincardine Bridge between Falkirk and Fife.

The bridge is three-quarters of a mile long and its low profile is designed to minimise the environmental impact and visual intrusion.

However, combined traffic using the two bridges is expected to increase by 21 per cent from 30,100 to 38,100 vehicles a day in the next year, and rise further in the future.

The new crossing, virtually at right angles to its 72-year-old neighbour, is the second-largest "incremental launch" structure of its type in the world, after one in Bavaria. Its 35,000-tonne deck was progressively pushed out from the shore over 25 piers.

The First Minister said: "This is a world-class project which will cut journey times, improve connections, and provide a unique gateway."