Queensferry Crossing opening – is it open to traffic and when was the new Forth Road Bridge unveiled?
The £1.3 billion crossing is as high as 48 double decker buses stacked on top of each other
THE Queensferry Crossing - now Britain's tallest bridge - has opened to much excitement.
The £1.3 billion structure spanning the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh continued its hectic schedule of opening and closing with the . Here's all the info...
When does Queensferry Crossing open?
Queensferry Crossing was first opened to motorists in the early hours of August 30.
The Northbound carriageway admitted traffic first, before the Southbound carriageway was opened 45 minutes later.
The crossing's highly anticipated launch was almost shrouded by angry "bridge tourists" who were caught up in huge traffic jams with reports of angry motorists caught up in heavy delays.
On Twitter, Traffic Scotland said many people were "visiting" the bridge which caused delays on both approaches.
And the bridge's first rush hour was five hours after it opened.
But on Friday September 1, the Queensferry Crossing closed to all traffic until Thursday September 7.
Cops will guide motorists to use the Forth Road Bridge instead.
The Queen officially launched the crossing on September 4, exactly 53 years after she opened the Forth Road Bridge – and it opened fully on September 7.
What is Queensferry Crossing's road layout like?
Queensferry Crossing is an extension of the M90 motorway across the Firth of Forth.
The speed limit will be initially lowered because operators fear "drivers may be distracted" by its beauty.
Drivers will not be able to overtake during its initial launch phase with cops controlling traffic speeds.
The initial speed limit will be 40mph but after work has been completed, the Queensferry Crossing will become a 70mph motorway.
When could people walk along Queensferry Crossing?
On Saturday September 2 and Sunday September 3, people had the "once in a lifetime" chance to walk across the bridge.
Some 50,000 people who were given tickets in a ballot got to enjoy its beauty on a leisurely stroll.
On Tuesday September 5, another 10,000 locals and schoolchildren were given the chance to walk on the new crossing.
But after it became fully operational on September 7, pedestrians and new drivers will not be able to access the bridge.
What happens to the Forth Road Bridge?
Queensferry Crossing will replace the old Forth Road Bridge as the main road route between Edinburgh and Fife.
It was opened by the Queen in 1964, 53 years to the day before she .
But it has been dogged by maintenance problems and was closed temporarily in 2015.
The Forth Road Bridge will be closed to normal motor traffic.
It will stay open for cyclists and pedestrians and, in future, for buses.
The famous 19th Century iron Forth Bridge, carrying the railway, lies a mile further along the Forth.
Queensferry Crossing launch: a day-by-day guide
- Wednesday 30 August: Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic in both directions
- Friday 1 September: Queenferry Crossing closed
- Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September: 50,000 people are able to walk over the new bridge
- Monday 4 September: The Queen officially opens the Queensferry Crossing
- Tuesday 5 September: An extra 10,000 lucky people and school kids are selected to stroll along the crossing
- Thursday 7 September: Queensferry Crossing re-opens to traffic, with no pedestrian access
