Where will the new bridge be built?
It will stretch from just west of the current bridge on the northern shore to near South Queensferry on the southern side of the firth. Approach roads will connect the new crossing to the M9 motorway at junction 1A.

How much will it cost?
The estimated bill is £3.2bn to £4.2bn at 2016 prices, making it the most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in Scotland. The cost includes up to £580m extra to accommodate various public transport options. At last year's prices, the cost is £1.5bn, to which VAT, the cost of public transport lanes and construction industry inflation will have to be added.

What are multi-modal public transport systems?
The bridge design will include dedicated public transport lanes in both directions. Whether these will be priority bus lanes, a guided bus system, light rail or an extension of the Edinburgh tram has yet to be decided, but there will be no heavy rail track, as ministers believe there is adequate capacity on the existing rail bridge.

How will it be paid for?
Little detail from Finance Minister John Swinney, except to say that "appropriate financial risk" would be transferred to the private sector, with options for funding to be set out next year. This is expected to be funded under the Scottish Futures Trust as an alternative to Public Private Partnerships for major public building projects. Details are expected today on how the new mechanism will operate. Tolls on the new crossing have been ruled out.

When will it be built?
There will be two years of detailed design, consultation with local councils and environmental assessment before the final plans are submitted for approval in 2009. Construction will begin in 2011 and should take five and a half years, so the bridge will open in 2016 at the earliest.


What about the existing bridge?
It is in a critical condition with urgent repairs being carried out to dry out the corroding cables. If these do not work, the Forth Road Bridge may have to close to heavy goods vehicles as early as 2013, three years before the new crossing is due to open. Asked what would happen to trucks if they are barred from 2013 and the new bridge is not ready until 2016, Mr Swinney indicated that they could be forced to use the new bridge at Kincardine. The current bridge at Queensferry could be closed to all traffic in 2019. Consultants for Transport Scotland estimated that demolishing the old bridge would cost nearly £130 million. However, if it can be saved, the government may consider restricting some types of vehicles on one of the two crossings.



Research by Christine McCartney