First Minister Alex Salmond today officially opened the new Clackmannanshire Bridge over the Firth of Forth, which aims to help reduce traffic conjestion, improve road safety, and open up the wider area to economic benefits.

The £120m crossing, designed to alleviate traffic pressure on the Kincardine Bridge, is the second largest of its type in the world. It includes an extensive network of new cycleways and footpaths and provides transport links between Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Fife.

Approximately 20,000 vehicles per day are predicted to use the new bridge, with traffic on the existing Kincardine bridge reduced from approximately 30,100 vehicles per day at present to approximately 18,100 vehicles.

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Opening the bridge the First Minister was also joined by Joseph McDermott, a trainee engineer and the second generation in his family to work on a local bridge as his grandfather worked on the Kincardine Bridge

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Transport is a fundamental part of the Scottish Government's drive to encourage sustainable economic growth. This is a world-class infrastructure project which will cut journey times, improve central Scotland connections, and provide a unique gateway to Clackmannanshire, Fife and Falkirk.

"Better, safer and faster transport links are key to our work to drive tourism. With the Year of Homecoming fast approaching I'm delighted to see links opening up, providing fast, unique routes between the exciting events taking place across Fife and the Central Belt. The Meet Your Ancestors events in Clackmannanshire, the Johnnie Walker Golf Championship in Fife, and the Falkirk Wheel are just some of the reasons to cross the bridge in 2009.

"For local communities the Clackmannanshire Bridge will deliver not only visitors, but safer roads and environmental benefits. It will remove the long-standing congestion from the centre of Kincardine, encourage safe cycling, whilst benefitting local businesses."

(GK/JM)