Final link goes Forth
Cheers as last deck section of new river crossing completes jigsaw
IT has cost more than £1billion, faced delays and will use enough cable to virtually stretch around the world.
Now engineers are hopeful they can see the finishing line after the last section of the new Queensferry Crossing was lifted into place yesterday to complete the 1.7-mile link across the Forth.
Cheers were heard as the final segment of the bridge deck – the last of 122 deck sections which connect the Lothians and Fife – was slotted into place early yesterday afternoon.
The £1.35billion mega-structure standing alongside the Forth Road Bridge is scheduled to be opened in May.
Michael Martin, project director of Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, said: ‘This is a massive milestone for the bridge. It’s a landmark moment for us.
‘We still have a tremendous amount of work to do, but it’s an opportunity to pause for a moment and reflect on a fantastic achievement.’
David Climie, project director at Transport Scotland, said: ‘We started deck-lifting back in September 2015. This is the last piece of jigsaw of the main structure, so it’s a really important day.’
With the bridge gaps closed, the project will move on to a new phase of ‘finishing works’, including the installation of further stay cables and 21,527 square feet of waterproofing. Once complete, the structure 207m (683ft) above high tide will become the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world and the tallest bridge in Britain.
Engineers had hoped all would be finished by last December, but adverse weather conditions last spring caused delays and the team is now aiming for May.
Officials are said to be ‘optimistic’ that the crossing will never be forced to close because of bad weather, thanks to the installation of wind-shielding.
Last month, the Forth Road Bridge was closed for a day when a lorry was blown over despite the fact it was closed to highsided vehicles.
When the Queensferry Crossing opens, the Forth Road Bridge will be retained as a public transport corridor and a route for cyclists and walkers.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘Big day for @NewForthBridge as the final deck section is lifted into place. The new bridge really is an amazing feat of engineering.’
Observer John Howell, 75, a lifeboat volunteer from Colinton, Edinburgh, said: ‘It’s an ideal day for it – not much wind, which has been a big problem.’