Transport Scotland to open Queensferry Crossing bridge

TINNews |

Transport Scotland is set to open the £250m Queensferry Crossing bridge, built over the river Forth.

The opening of the new bridge is expected to boost Scotland’s construction and tourism sectors.

Queensferry Crossing project is reported to have created more than 15,000 employment opportunities since the works began in 2011.

Nearly £350m of project related sub-contracts or supply orders were awarded to Scottish firms.

In addition, the project is reported to have provided indirect employment through the project’s supply chain.

Scotland Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: "It will be with a real sense of pride that all those involved with this project will witness traffic crossing the bridge this week.

"The crossing has been completed six years from the date construction started and ten years since Parliament approved legislation."

"To think that the crossing has been completed six years from the date construction started and ten years since Parliament approved legislation is a remarkable achievement for a project of this scale and complexity.

“The challenges of this location have been well-documented and the real heroes are those who have braved the elements in sometimes horrendous conditions to finish the job.”

Completion of the new bridge is expected to a range of new businesses looking to acquire land and property in the surrounding areas.

Later this year, the government intends to unveil a Forth Bridges Tourism strategy, which will focus on three bridges.

The transport agency anticipates that nearly 50,000 people will walk on the new structure from 2 September, ahead of the official opening on 4 September by the Queen.