The Queensferry Crossing, the new bridge over the River Forth, will be opened to the public on 30 August 2017. Then it will close again.
This will allow 50,000 members of the public to take part in a once in a lifetime walk across the bridge on 2 and 3 September following a ballot to take part.
Click here to enter the ballot.
Keith Brown the Economy Secretary announced the completion dates earlier today during a visit to the bridge.
There will be an official opening ceremony and details of that will be announced nearer the time.
When the final links are complete to the north, the bridge will become a motorway. All road diversions and routes will be provided to the public, so road users will be advised on the routes to access the bridge.
Mr Brown met some of the people working on the bridge alongside veterans from the Forth Road Bridge which opened on 4 September 1964. He said : “It is fitting to be able to make this announcement alongside some of those who built the Forth Road Bridge and those who are building the Queensferry Crossing.
“What is being achieved on the Forth today, like what was achieved 53 years ago, is a testament to the expertise and the endeavour of those who have designed and built these bridges.
“I am very pleased to be able to confirm the Queensferry Crossing will open August 30, 2017. The bridge will be used by vehicles up to September 1, before closing to allow the public the chance to walk across it as part of the Queensferry Crossing Experience on September 2 and 3.
“This Queensferry Crossing Experience will allow for up to 50,000 people to have the once in a lifetime chance to walk across the Queensferry Crossing before it becomes a motorway with no pedestrian access.
“In order to manage access to the bridge there will be a ballot to decide who will have this unique opportunity to be one of the 50,000 people. I would encourage as many people as possible to enter and take part.
“The ballot will open from 9 AM on Tuesday June 20 until 1200 noon on Wednesday July 5, 2017. To enter the ballot people should visit the Queensferry Crossing Experience website: www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com
“This marks the beginning of the end of a 10 year process for this project. Starting with the early Forth Crossing studies, the Act of Parliament, design, procurement, through to work beginning on site in August 2011.
“Excitement and anticipation will build in the months ahead as people prepare to walk and drive over this bridge for the first time.”
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: “The excitement really is building around the opening of this magnificent feat of engineering – the Queensferry Crossing. We are delighted that a date has now been announced. Scotland will become the world’s first destination to have three bridges spanning three centuries in one stunning location.
“The Forth Bridges are already icons of Scotland, recognised worldwide for their importance, and the addition of the Queensferry Crossing consolidates this global appeal. We very much look forward to welcoming the new bridge to our hearts as we have done with the two bridges before. The opening event is set to be a once-in-a-generation spectacular – good luck to all those who enter the ballot to walk the bridge!”
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