What you need to know about the new crossing

Q What’s happening this weekend A Around 50,000 members of the public who won tickets in a free ballot will be enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk across the new Queensferry Crossing. The bridge which was open to traffic on Wednesday and Thursday closed again yesterday to prepare for the opening celebrations. The formal Royal opening takes place on Monday before there is another schools and community day on Tuesday. Q What will happen during the opening celebrations?

A During the opening celebrations, all traffic will use Forth Road Bridge until 6 September. The Queensferry Crossing will open on the 7th once again. Q When will the Queensferry Crossing become a motorway?

A The Queensferry Crossing will become a motorway and the Forth Road Bridge will become a public transport corridor in late October, early November. The date has not yet been announced. Q Why are hard shoulders required on the replacement crossing?

A The hard shoulder will not be used for general traffic other than in situations when the normal running lanes are closed for maintenance or incidents. Hard shoulders on the replacement crossing and connecting roads will also be used by buses diverted from the existing bridge, for example due to high wind conditions. Q What will be the speed limit around the bridge?

A The speed limit for the new mainline road layout will generally be 70mph with an advisory speed limit of 50 mph, as is presently the case, around the curve at Scotstoun. Q What about motorcylists and learner drivers?

A Once the bridge becomes a motorway, motorcycles with an engine capacity less than 50cc will not be permitted on the Queensferry Crossing. Learner riders with a CBT certificate will be allowed to use the bridge. Learner drivers will not be permitted once the bridge has full motorway status.