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| New bridge to be built over Forth | New bridge to be built over Forth |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A new bridge is to be built across the Firth of Forth, just west of the existing suspension road crossing. | |
| The cable stayed-style bridge is due to open in about 2016 and will cost between £3.2bn and 4.2bn. | The cable stayed-style bridge is due to open in about 2016 and will cost between £3.2bn and 4.2bn. |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney told parliament that concerns over the future viability of the existing bridge meant the government had to act now. | Finance Secretary John Swinney told parliament that concerns over the future viability of the existing bridge meant the government had to act now. |
| Ruling out a tunnel, he said the chosen option would deliver the crossing in the quickest possible timescale. | Ruling out a tunnel, he said the chosen option would deliver the crossing in the quickest possible timescale. |
| Mr Swinney told MSPs that the new bridge would be the "largest construction project in a generation in Scotland". | Mr Swinney told MSPs that the new bridge would be the "largest construction project in a generation in Scotland". |
| Rail system | |
| He went on: "It will be an iconic structure. It will maintain a fundamental link across the River Forth. It will create a new and better connection to our transport infrastructure in west and east central Scotland. | He went on: "It will be an iconic structure. It will maintain a fundamental link across the River Forth. It will create a new and better connection to our transport infrastructure in west and east central Scotland. |
| "And it will be delivered through effective and comprehensive care for our natural environment". | "And it will be delivered through effective and comprehensive care for our natural environment". |
| A cable-stayed bridge is one that consists of columns with cables supporting the bridge deck. | A cable-stayed bridge is one that consists of columns with cables supporting the bridge deck. |
| Mr Swinney said the effects of traffic and weather had taken their toll on the existing road crossing. | |
| He quoted concerns from the bridge authority that it may have to close to all vehicles by 2019. | |
| The new bridge, which will run to a point west of South Queensferry, will consist of a two-lane carriageway with hard shoulders and pedestrian and cycle access. | |
| It will also allow for the introduction of a light rail or guided bus system. | |
| The five-and-a-half year construction project is expected to get under way in 2011, with a competition to find a constructor due to be launched the year before. | |
| Mr Swinney said: "A cable stay bridge has lower overall risk and can be used by all types of traffic, including freight, pedestrians and cyclists and is considerably cheaper to deliver. | |
| "We are supporting commuters, supporting business and protecting the environment. This crossing will ensure that we continue to provide an effective transport network and achieve that goal." |