New Queensferry Crossing to open on August 30

50,000 people will have chance to walk over it

After a series of delays, the Queensferry Crossing will finally open to traffic on August 30.

Originally due to open last December, it was then hoped it could be open by May 2017.

However, bad weather at the start of the year saw that date postponed again.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown revealed the new bridge will open to traffic on August 30 but will close down again two days later to give the public a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to walk over the £1.325 billion crossing on the weekend of September 2 and 3.

There are 50,000 places up for grabs through a ballot .

On a visit to the Forth yesterday, Mr Brown met workers from the Forth Replacement Crossing project and veterans of the construction industry who played a role in building the Forth Road Bridge more than 50 years ago.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Brown added: “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.”

Michael Martin, project director for the consortium building the crossing, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, said: “The Queensferry Crossing is one of the world’s great bridges.

“The safety of our workforce, who have worked relentlessly through the hostile weather conditions in the Forth estuary to deliver the earliest completion of this project, has always been our number one priority and it will continue to be so as move towards the completion of the project.”

Up to 50,000 lucky people will have the chance to walk the bridge.

People have until noon on Wednesday July 5 to enter by logging on to the website queensferrycrossing experience.com.

Picture: PA. The Queensferry Crossing has been hailed as one of the world’s great bridges.