The Queensferry Crossing shimmering its way across the Forth

The 42,000 tonnes of steel are almost all in the right place now to take the longest triple tower cable-stayed bridge in the world from one side of the Forth to the other.

There is just one gap to fill on the deck measuring 52 metres long, which is just longer than an Olympic swimming pool. The north deck and centre fan remain to be closed in order to complete the structure. That is planned for the New Year.

You can see more of the recent lift in this video here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVTt6JMxGEA?feature=oembed&w=696&h=392]

It may look as though the two sections of deck are misaligned but ballast and adjusting cables will apparently sort all of that out.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “Connecting all three of the Queensferry Crossing towers, from Fife right over to the south deck fan is another example of the good progress being made on the project. Despite the huge size and weight of the units being lifted, lifting them into place is a very precise operation.

“This is truly world class engineering taking place to bridge the Firth of Forth for the third time in consecutive centuries. Successfully building the new bridge and the road network requires careful planning and delivery of over 10,000 operations. The workforce continue to do an excellent job in often very tough conditions.

“Watching this iconic landmark take shape over the past five years has been remarkable. The Queensferry Crossing is visible from miles around and there is now over two kilometres of deck in place.

“Overall, the project remains significantly under budget and on schedule to open in May 2017.”

The bridge is 1.7 miles long including the approaches and will carry two lanes of traffic motorway style from each direction.

The question which has arisen most often is why the traffic which will use the bridge will include HGVs. The simple fact is that this bridge will be more stable in high winds than its 50 year-old neighbour The Forth Road Bridge, which is often closed to high-sided vehicles.

If the older crossing is closed then buses will be able to use the hard shoulder on the new bridge to ensure that public transport keeps flowing.

Work continues on the surrounding roads to ensure that all is ready in time for the spring opening. In the meantime we just have to wait and watch!

All photos by John Preece  who braved the sleet earlier this evening to capture these shots.