The third Forth Bridge

Early on in the design process for what is now called the Queensferry Crossing, Transport Scotland was deciding on the specification for the third major bridge across the Forth, ensuring that it accounted for any possible functions the bridge might have to fulfil within its proposed lifespan.

Having picked up the phone for a chat with Network Rail, TS was slightly taken aback at the response to the reasonable question: “Should the new bridge include provision for a heavy rail connection?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that… it’s stronger than the rock it’s built on!” laughed Network Rail’s asset engineer at the time.

Indeed, NR’s rather conservative estimates set the bridge’s remaining life as well in excess of 100 years.