Queensferry Crossing timeline

2004:

Inspection of the Forth Road Bridge’s main cables finds corrosion – given the issues and disruption it would cause to the 60,000 vehicles using it daily it was decided it was no longer viable as the main Forth crossing

2007:

Scottish ministers opt for a cablestayed bridge lying to the west of the existing bridge by the end of 2016

2011:

The principal contract is awarded to the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors consortium of Hochtief from Germany, American Bridge from America, Dragados from Spain and Morrison Construction from Scotland and construction starts

2012:

Steel caissons and cofferdam sections which will create the foundations of the towers arrive from Poland

2012-13:

The Fife Intelligent Transport System and M9 junction 1A contracts are complete

2013:

After a public vote, the name Queensferry Crossing was chosen from a shortlist of Caledonia Bridge, St Margaret’s Crossing, Firth of Forth Crossing and Saltire Crossing

2015:

In August it became the tallest bridge in the UK, overtaking its neighbour the Forth Road Bridge and Humber Bridge

2015:

Fifty workers downed tools during a pay dispute in December

2016:

Construction worker John Cousins, 60, died while working on the bridge in April

2016:

June saw an announcement its December opening date would be postponed

2017:

It will be officially opened on September 4 by the Queen, exactly 53 years after she opened the Forth Road Bridge