Queensferry Crossing – new website has all the latest information
There is a new website which has news of all Forth Bridges including The Queensferry Crossing.
This has been set up ahead of the new bridge being declared open on 4 September 2017 by Her Majesty the Queen.
There are details of road layouts and latest travel information on the website along with cameras from Traffic Scotland.
The speed limit on the new Queensferry Crossing will start off at 40mph with all vehicular traffic allowed to cross it, although it will become a motorway with a higher speed limit of 70mph by late October, early November. The Forth Road Bridge will then be used by public transport after that date.
Cyclists and pedestrians are restricted to the Forth Road Bridge as there is no walkway on the new crossing.
Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf said: “This is a really exciting time as we gear up for the opening of the Queensferry Crossing in just two weeks’ time with this incredible feat of engineering that will benefit many generations to come. It also means that the way commuters and local residents use the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge will change from how they were previously used.
“We have brought all of this information together on one site and I would encourage anyone with an interest and those who intend to use the bridges, to visit www.theforthbridges.org.
“Visitors to the website will also be able to enjoy a panoramic camera portraying the area in the way it deserves to be, offering world wide access twenty four hours a day. I would like to extend my thanks to Amey and those involved in the Forth Bridges Forum for bringing these resources to a single website for the people of Scotland and beyond.”
IMPORTANT DATES
30 August 2017
The Queensferry Crossing will open on 30 August to all traffic but will close again to allow members of the public who were lucky enough to get a ticket in an open ballot to walk across the bridge on 2 and 3 September.
Her Majesty the Queen will open the bridge formally on 4 September 2017 which is the same date as the Forth Road Bridge was opened in 1964.
Between 1 to 6 September 2017 all traffic will use the Forth Road Bridge to allow for the celebrations around the opening of The Queensferry Crossing.
7 September 2017
The Queensferry Crossing will be open to all traffic from this date.
The Forth Road Bridge will be open only to cyclists and pedestrians until roadworks on the north side of the bridge are completed.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown announced the opening dates earlier this year. He said : “I am very pleased to be able to confirm the Queensferry Crossing will open on 30 August, 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 2 and 3 September.
“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.”
Following heavy demand for the ballot tickets a further community day was announced.
An additional 10,000 people from local schools and community groups on both sides of the Forth will have the chance to walk onto the bridge the next day (5 September). Then, from 6 September onwards, the bridge will re-open to traffic, with no pedestrian access.
The event on 5 September is expected to involve 13 schools from within the 6 community council areas immediately adjacent to the project, totalling around 6,000 pupils and staff who have been invited.
This is expected to create an opportunity for each child in the area to become a part of Scotland’s history, thereby offering a real legacy for the next generation. It also builds on a key aspect of the project whereby 23,000 school pupils have participated in the Schools Programme, part of the wider Outreach and Education programme in which 70,000 people have participated.