The Forth Road Bridge, one of Scotland’s most notable landmarks, opened 60 years ago, marking a new era of easy travel between Edinburgh and Fife. Spanning the Firth of Forth, the 1.5 mile structure was the longest suspension bridge outside the US. It was built to replace an age-old ferry service with modern transport means for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. However, in 2014, it was replaced by the £1.34bn Queensferry Crossing to cater to more significant and more extensive modern vehicles.
Since traffic was redirected to the new bridge in 2017, the older structure has required regular extensive maintenance. Nonetheless, the southern unit bridges manager of BEAR Scotland, David Bishop, said that while the Forth Road Bridge was to have a lifespan of 120 years, it was designed to last far beyond this. With continued maintenance, it could easily exceed its original lifespan and run successfully for decades beyond 2084.
Forth Road Bridge is no longer used for cars and lorries, but instead, it provides passage for cyclists, pedestrians, and local buses. The Queensferry Crossing now handles motor traffic, ensuring that Forth Road Bridge has a bright future. Last September, the bridge marked 56 years since its official opening by Queen Elizabeth II. It is notable for the nearly 40 thousand tonnes of steel and 125 thousand cubic meters of concrete that went into construction, and the seven years it took to build.
The Forth Road Bridge is an essential member of Scotland’s infrastructure and is expected to continue to be in service to support public transport, and it is the hope of BEAR Scotland that it will continue to play an increasingly important role in the country’s future. Unquestionably, its place in Scottish history is secured as one of the world’s most significant long-span suspension bridges
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