Queensferry Crossing takes shape as work continues

Construction crews work on the central tower located on Beamer Rock in the Forth, Scotland, as work continues on the Queensferry Crossing. Picture: PA

Taken from the bridge’s central tower on Beamer Rock in the middle of the Firth of Forth, the images show the progress made on the massive construction project.

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The tower now stands high above the water at 84m but is still 126m from its completed height of 210m. Giant cranes on a barge beside the tower are supporting the work and the first sections of bridge deck, which will fan out from the central tower as construction continues, are also visible.

The crossing’s neighbours, the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, can be seen in one image demonstrating the height of the new tower.

There are now three towers across the Forth, all of which have reached deck level or higher. Work is continuing through the night to ensure the crossing is completed by the end of 2016.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Pictures from above Queensferry Crossing’s centre tower show the great progress that is being made in building the new bridge.

“Either side of the tower, the first sections of deck can be seen along with the temporary platforms and installation equipment which will support the lifting into position of further sections of bridge deck next year, as the project continues to progress on programme and under budget.”

The cost of the new bridge was recalculated last month and the Government said it will now come in £50 million below the previous budget estimate.

The budget to build the Queensferry Crossing and connecting roads was set at between £1.4 billion and £1.45 billion in September 2013, but it has now been cut to between £1.35 billion and £1.4 billion.

In 2007, the estimated cost for a new bridge was put at £3.2 billion to £4.2 billion.

Its name was chosen in a public poll with Queensferry Crossing receiving a third of the 37,000 votes, beating other options such as Caledonia Bridge, Firth of Forth Crossing, Saltire Crossing and St Margaret’s Crossing.

• Leader: Queensferry Crossing on course

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