The new £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth is to open later this summer, it has been confirmed.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown today, 20 June, revealed the major infrastructure scheme will be open to traffic for the first time on 30 August.

Speaking during a visit to the Forth Replacement Crossing construction site, Mr Brown said following the opening, the public will be given the chance to take part in a 'once in a lifetime' chance to walk over the new bridge from 02 – 03 September.

The bridge will transition to a motorway once the final public transport links to the north of the Forth Road Bridge are completed.

Mr Brown said: "It is fitting to be able to make this announcement alongside some of those who built the Forth Road Bridge and those who are building the Queensferry Crossing.

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"What is being achieved on the Forth today, like what was achieved 53 years ago, is a testament to the expertise and the endeavour of those who have designed and built these bridges.

"I am very pleased to be able to confirm the Queensferry Crossing will open August 30, 2017. The bridge will be used by vehicles up to September 1, before closing to allow the public the chance to walk across it as part of the Queensferry Crossing Experience on September 2 and 3."

Michael Martin, Project Director for the consortium building the Queensferry Crossing, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) said: "The Queensferry Crossing is one of the world’s great bridges. It’s the largest bridge of its type and its fast track design and construction has presented many challenges.

"The safety of our workforce, who have worked relentlessly through the hostile weather conditions in the Forth estuary to deliver the earliest completion of this project, has always been our number one priority and it will continue to be so as move towards the completion of the project."

There are 50,000 spaces available to the public to walk across the bridge on 02 – 03 September.

For more information, visit www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com

(LM/MH)