The Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown has visited the construction site of the Queensferry Crossing in Edinburgh.

Mr Brown met with workers today 13 August to view the progress of the project.

Transport Scotland said 'significant' operations are now underway over the entire project.

Recent development milestones include:

• The south approach viaduct has been fully launched to its final positions.

• 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.

• Assembly of north approach viaduct is nearly complete ready for launch this autumn.

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Mr Brown said: "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.

"Work on the connecting roads to both the north and south of the Crossing has made significant progress this year. Meanwhile Queensferry Crossing's three main towers are approaching their final height and are now higher than the top of the Forth Road Bridge with another 36 metres to go on the Centre and South Towers and only 28 metres to go on the North Tower."

(LM)