Information about Upper Forth Crossing

This article or section contains information about a bridge currently under construction. It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change as construction progresses or new information becomes available.

The Upper Forth Crossing is the name given to the project to build a third road bridge over the River Forth estuary in Scotland.

The increasing levels of traffic using the existing Kincardine Bridge led to a public inquiry being held into options to ease traffic flow over the Forth and around the small town of Kincardine. In 2000 proposals were put forward for a number of alternatives, one of which was a new crossing running north-northwest of the existing bridge, bypassing the town of Kincardine altogether.

In 2005 the new crossing was given the go-ahead, and construction began in June 2006, with the sod-cutting ceremony performed by the Scottish Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, accompanied by the Earl of Elgin who as a boy had performed the ceremony for the Kincardine Bridge.

As yet the bridge has not been named, but a minor row has broken out between those local authorities with a vested interest.^[1] Clackmannanshire Council voted to suggest "Clackmannanshire Bridge" - even though two other councils, Fife and Falkirk, are involved. Fife Council have responded with "Kingdom Bridge" (referring to the historic kingdom of Fife), But many local people would like it named: FOURTH Bridge as a pun to it being the 4th to built and sound like the river forth it crosses. The Scottish Executive have intimated that a decision will be made later in 2007.

The bridge is expected to open to traffic in November 2008.

References

External Links

• Upper Forth Crossing website
• Drive to name road bridge locally - BBC website