More delays expected as bridge opens permanently
● Commuters warned of heavy traffic as new bridge takes over
Drivers are being warned of long delays into the weekend after the Queensferry Crossing is reopened for good today.
The warning comes after the £1.35 billion bridge over the Forth was opened for two days last week, with extra traffic expected as more motorists take the opportunity to cross it for the first time.
It is thought as many as 100,000 vehicles may have crossed on the first day last Wednesday, compared to the 80,000 average on the Forth Road Bridge. The influx caused huge tailbacks.
Inspector Peter Houston of Police Scotland said: “We expect there to be long delays as people come to see the new bridge over the coming days.”
Drivers are warned of long delays into the weekend following the planned re-opening of the Queensferry Crossing for good today.
Traffic was due to be switched from the Forth Road Bridge in the early hours after a series of bridge walks and the official opening by the Queen.
However, the £1.35 billion bridge was only open for two days last week and extra traffic is expected as more motorists take the opportunity to cross it for the first time.
No official traffic figures have been published, but it is thought as many as 100,000 vehicles may have crossed on the first day last Wednesday, compared to the 80.000 average on the Forth Road Bridge.
Tailbacks of at least five miles built up on all approaches.
Inspector Peter Houston of Police Scotland said: “We expect there to be long delays as people come to see the new bridge over the coming days.
“We would advise commuters to think about disruptions to their journey and allow for extra travel time as traffic lev- els adjust. Those who are travelling to the crossing for nonessential journeys are asked to consider very careful the timings of their visit and whether their journey is necessary.”
Stein Connelly, operator manager of the official Traffic Scotland information service, said: “Demand for using the Queensferry Crossing when it first opened last week was very high.
“People were understandably coming to see the new bridge and this did lead to congestion.
“Traffic is likely to be very heavy and long delays are possible.”
All traffic apart from pedestrians and cyclists will use the new bridge until late October when links with the Forth Road Bridge are altered so it can be used by buses and taxis.
The closure of the bridge to cars after 53 years and some 850 million vehicles triggered fond memories for some.
Lisa Jones, from Edinburgh, said: “We would take family day trips to Fife when I was younger, so my mum suggested we all go over the bridge one last time before it closes.
“It was quite sad as my granny and aunty have passed away since those trips, so they weren’t far from my thoughts, but it was nice to say farewell to the bridge.”
Forth Road Bridge engineers are due to start repairs today within hours of the last vehicles crossing.
Steelwork upgrading will get under way along with scaffolding to replace the last truss end links, which help support the roadway. The bridge was closed for three weeks in 2015 after part of it broke.
Trials of a new way of resurfacing the carriageways are expected to start next week.