‘Don’t be distracted by new Forth crossing’ call

DRIVERS on the Forth Road Bridge have been warned not to be distracted by construction work on the adjacent Queensferry Crossing as its giant towers rise from the river.

Drivers on the Forth Road Bridge have been warned against being distracted by work on the Queensferry Crossing. Picture: Jane Barlow

Construction chiefs told MSPs that the new bridge’s central tower was already 80ft (24m) above the water, and all three towers would reach deck level by the summer.

Project director David Climie said: “Drivers should keep their eyes on the road ahead and not be distracted by the construction taking place.”

Once the towers have reached deck height, the decks will be built out on each side, supported by cables from the tops of the towers, in a Christmas tree shape.

They will each be 700ft (207m) tall - 166 ft (50m) higher than the twin towers of the Forth Road Bridge.

Mr Climie stressed that the £1.4 billion project - described as Scotland’s biggest for a generation - remained on schedule to be completed by late 2016, despite changes to the timing of some of the work.

It was ordered by ministers because of fears about the long-term future of the Forth Road Bridge, which has been weakened by corrosion of its main support cable.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority, which runs the bridge, said drivers currently had a clear view of only yellow cranes around the towers, and they would have to crane their necks to see the towers themselves.

A spokesman: “It’s not something that would currently catch your eye, but when the towers reach deck level, it might be tempting to have a look.

“The work has not been going on long enough to draw any conclusions about driver distraction, and there is no evidence so far that it has been a factor in incidents.”

SEE ALSO:

• Lost Edinburgh: The Forth Bridge

• Forth Bridge Experience images released