Queensferry Crossing 'On Schedule' For 2016

The new Queensferry Crossing is on schedule to be open by the end of 2016.

Work on the project has kept up pace despite the wet and windy weather experienced for much of 2015. The south approach viaduct has been fully launched to its final position and the first cables have been installed on the North Tower.

All three of Queensferry Crossing’s towers are over 160 metres high – at least 10 metres above the height of the Forth Road Bridge. The new B800 bridge over the A90 was opened in July.

Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown today visited the Queensferry Crossing construction site to meet with workers and view progress on the project. He said: "It’s great credit to the hard work and dedication of the men and women working on the Queensferry Crossing to see the progress they have made since my last visit. This is despite the challenging conditions they often face, particularly in the middle of the Forth estuary, even during the summer.

"Work is underway on every front across this vast project and workforce numbers are at a peak. Direct employment on this large scale infrastructure project is bringing significant benefits to the to the Scottish economy with over 1,200 people employed on site and 75 per cent having a home address in Scotland. Significant opportunities continue to be created for Scottish businesses through the wider supply chain. To date Scottish firms have been awarded subcontracts and supply orders from the project with a total value £246 million out of a total of £549 million.

"Everywhere you look on the project, north, south and of course out in the Forth itself, there are major operations underway or already complete. Recently the bridge’s south approach viaduct was fully launched, with assembly of the north viaduct nearly complete, and launch out over the piers expected in the autumn.

"The project team have done a great job in mitigating the effects of the recent poor weather and it is pleasing to report that the project remains on schedule to be complete by the end of 2016."