Queensferry Crossing / New Forth Road Bridge - Construction pictures

[b]Last Update 26th March 2017 This post

Documentary on the building of the older Forth Road Bridge on BBC iPlayer http://bbc.in/1tmxN74 (no longer available :()

Webcams pointed at and around the build available here

================================

So the new bridge is due to be finished in 2016, I thought it would be good to get some progress pics during this time so here they are :)

I intend to take a pic as often as possible or when there are big changes but please note ...

a) I'm lazy
&
b) There isn't much progress at the beginning while they sort out foundations.

Fingers crossed I can keep up the willpower to do this for the next 3years!

Also note that this is NOT a guide on how to take decent photos (as you can immediately tell by the pics!)

Official website here http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/...ement-crossing

Below are the first pics I ever took, before I realised there was a bridge going up, I wondered why there were diggers on tiny islands in the Forth!

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/...e82128a8_z.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/...c4647e44_z.jpg

Feb 2013
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8539/8...0244e79b7d.jpg

April 6th 2013 (I think I'll go with landscape in future)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8...eb534aa3aa.jpg

13th April 2013
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8...7052ab4c6a.jpg

26th April 2013
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8...671137ce8e.jpg

11th May 2013
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/8...1c0848c0e3.jpg

25th May 2013
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8...36ce0e627e.jpg

9th June 2013
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9...7d91acbdff.jpg

30th August 2013
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/9...0e67b51c70.jpg

22nd September 2013
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/9...11fdf332a6.jpg
Forth Replacement Crossing September 2013

18th December 2013
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/1...9b518cb212.jpg

11th January 2014
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/1...e3323dec80.jpg

19th Jan 2014
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/1...bde35418e5.jpg

9th Feb 2014
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/1...d797c438cf.jpg

10th May 2014
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/...b54c9ba7_z.jpg

6th June 2014
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/...ce8c6c89_z.jpg

24th August 2014
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/...a45f5e6d_z.jpg

14th September 2014
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/...71a0532c_c.jpg

20th September 2014
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/...eddc72e3_z.jpg

25th January 2015
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/...81163d37_c.jpg

25th April 2015
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8698/...76e31bb1_z.jpg

7th June 2015
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/290/18...e0cc50f2_c.jpg

21st June 2015
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3811/1...cefc4b3e_c.jpg

18th September 2015
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5634/...fee23253_c.jpg

13th December 2015
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/752/2...1f55ba45_c.jpg

6th March 2016
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1696/...9c52e834_z.jpg

8th May 2016
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/...7d70c325_c.jpg

30th May 2016
https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7577/2...81a7c43c_c.jpg



26th March 2017
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2910/3...f6047650_b.jpg

Reserved 3

Cool

I will be watching this.

What are they doing with the old bridge? Are the Americans having it?

They've put an advert on gumtree, free pickup as long as you've got a van ;)











but on a serious note. The old road bridge will stay open to light traffic, the heavy stuff will go over the new one seeing as the old ones' cables are snapping :/

don't think I will be walking over the old bridge.

what's the the new bridge getting called?

The fifth road bridge!

I could be wrong, but i believe the existing crossing will stay as it is. They have been successful in alleviating the corrosion of the main support cables.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-fife-21522376

So although the bridge will still be able to take heavy vehicles, that crossing really needs more capacity, especially in bad weather and eventually it will need to be replaced. I believe they are structuring the roads so that you can go in any direction from each bridge, but one will favour Edinburgh based traffic, and the other will favour traffic heading west.

As for the name, there is a competition on going at the moment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-fife-20846188

Green parties up and down the land irritate the hell out of me. Their new slogan should be "stopping progress, one short sighted decision at a time".

As you can see the speed of progress is astounding!.....

I think the 'Margaret Thatcher Memorial Bridge' would go down a treat...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smudger

I think the 'Margaret Thatcher Memorial Bridge' would go down a treat...

---

Where is 4chan when you need them to over vote an online poll for the lols.

As you can see there is massive progress....I'm talking about the bush in the right hand corner of course as the bridge hasn't bloomed yet :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob_B

As you can see there is massive progress....I'm talking about the bush in the right hand corner of course as the bridge hasn't bloomed yet :D

---

That bush is fair coming on.

At this rate, i will be a grandfather before its built.......

Uploaded one from June I took, wasn't going to bother as even the bush hadn't grown much! Will check it this weekend to see if there is any more progress (the bridge that is!)

I'll also need to check if the walkway on the other side of the bridge is open, has been closed for ages but would give great shots of the construction.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deejayburnout

At this rate, i will be a grandfather before its built.......

---

As with any construction process, there will be times where there doesn't appear to be much progress, even though everything is going to plan and schedule. Those underwater piers aren;t going to look very interesting from above the surface :)

What's the latest update Rob.

Was over at the fringe last week and saw little in the way of progress.

How the bush coming along?

Nothing's really changed, the bush is out of control and I might have to try another viewing angle I reckon :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob_B

Nothing's really changed, the bush is out of control and I might have to try another viewing angle I reckon :/

---

picture of the bush or we don't believe you.

Careful now ;)

I believe you.:o

First post has been updated with a pic from today, as you can see there isn't a lot going on! A couple of shots from a slightly different angle showing some work that is going on...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/9...c8ea29bcf9.jpg
Forth Replacement Crossing Aug2013 by Rob_norb17, on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/9...e9bbf9e774.jpg
Forth Replacement Crossing Aug2013 by Rob_norb17, on Flickr

Again, no real change. I saw something on TV a few days ago saying they were still filling the bases with cement, when that's done we'll soon start seeing some changes so this thread might get a bit more interesting!

Here's a couple of closer shots from the beach under the bridge (North side as per usual)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/9...2bed087cf1.jpg
Queensferry Crossing Construction

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/9...9ba08c540e.jpg
Queensferry Crossing Construction

I'm passing through the Forth Road Bridge on daily basis for last 6 months and I haven't seen any major improvements. But Thx for pictures the idea is awesome.

I don't make it up there as much as I would like - I've only been up twice since they ripped out the toll booths for the road bridge - so thanks for making the effort to document the progress. I fear the next time I make it to Dunfermline, the bloody thing will be built!

OP updated with new pic.

Some progress at last, one of the white support legs has now gone in, last week it was on the news that things were starting to move.

Couple of better shots of the change.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/1...733af9a971.jpg
Forth Replacement Bridge Dec2013

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...bca80fe24b.jpg
Forth Replacement Bridge Dec2013

getting there slowly but surely

Yup, it should go up quite quickly* from now on I'd imagine. Thankfully the bush has died down for winter so it's a slightly better view!

*relatively of course!

There was a piece on BBC Scotland news not that long ago, they have been fabricating some of the road sections on the south shore and are just about ready to move them into place.

Here we go:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25303389

I went for a wander today, by wander I mean across the bridge into South Queensferry & back (~4.4 miles all in) as I
left about 3 o'clock it was dark on my way back so I took a couple of pics.

The other path on the bridge has now been opened after being closed for a long time so the opportunity for better angles might be there when I next go in the daytime

Excuse any shakiness, considering the cold+wind+bridge movements, taking a non-blurred pic is impossible with a phone!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...b1db32c1_b.jpg

You need to get a better phone. :D

Tell me about it, the camera on the Xperia SP is terrible!

Did you use the camera button? I find using the screen button is easier to keep steady. Camera isn't great but I don't find it to be too bad

Yes the on screen button, but it was freezing and the bridge traffic makes the whole thing sway, so in low light it's impossible to steady properly :)

New pic up, the tower-y bit seems to be increasing in size, a close up below.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/1...4f5262df61.jpg
Queensferry Crossing 9th Feb 2014

Also a pic of the part closest to the Fife shore.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/1...582e041ff1.jpg
Queensferry Crossing 9th Feb 2014

Slowly getting there

I drove across the bridge today and you can see the bases taking shape.

Yes they are, not sure of progress though, need to take a look this weekend :)

The infrastructure at either side is starting to take shape too.

You can also clearly see the pre-manufactured road sections on the south bank while crossing the Forth Bridge from the North.

Went for another wander today before the gardening began. Saw some progress and will get a shot from my normal angle when I can. So for now a shot through the road bridge :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/...0b6c3a29_z.jpg

I had a walk across the Forth Bridge the other week. Looks like the road bed has been extended quite a way south compared to the last time I was there. starting to see some real progress now.

I've not been down that bit for a while, I'll go for a walk and get some pics although it's hard to get any of that area as it's so big!

I know someone who's installing a wireless network on the bridge. I'm not sure why a bridge would need a wireless network, but there you go.

Great idea with the post Rob_B.
And thanks for giving me something to think about whan I would be driving through that bridge -"snapping cables".
I don't like driving through that bridge anyway and now I don't like it even more.

Why you no like driving over the bridge?

A new apres-pub shot added, some good progress happening but definitely more on the South side as they're well on the way to starting the road off.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/...ae4ede57_z.jpgQueensferry Crossing 10th May 2014

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilsonik

Great idea with the post Rob_B.
And thanks for giving me something to think about whan I would be driving through that bridge -"snapping cables".
I don't like driving through that bridge anyway and now I don't like it even more.

---

I have to admit, I don't really enjoy the drive across the Forth bridge either. I don't like the thump-thump as you cross the road sections, and in a weird way I always feel hemmed in with traffic but at the same time exposed to the elements. It's an odd bridge. I don't get the feeling with other large bridges at all.

As for the cable snapping, that has all been stopped. Their remedial work to dry out the main support cables has been successful and they will no longer need to restrict the vehicle weights on the bridge in the future.

And there's no actual need for the new bridge!

Well, there is really.

Traffic it a complete nightmare on the bridge and surrounding area. Accident on the north bound side? You can get traffic backed up to the M9. Also closes in high winds.

But the main point is that if they hadn't started on the new bridge before finding out if the remedial maintenance would work, the forth bridge would have had to close to heavy vehicles well before a new bridge was completed. Causing utter chaos for years.

Also tied into the new bridge is an upgrade of the roads either side, which has been long over due.

Big update today (OP updated with the static position picture)

Went for a ride over the bridge, nearly killed myself (I need to get more exercise! ;))

I won't post them all in the thread but there are 19 in total from today on my flickr album if you click on a pic and fancy looking.

Progress of the South side (and pillars) from the North side, they'll be starting to get over water soon at the South.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/...89c1cd2e82.jpg


Below are all from the South side

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/...3b1663e576.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/...1040244d4a.jpg


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/...333c9629c2.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/...385ebe0e0b.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/...30e2605047.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/...ef9a608a4f.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/...4468eb242c.jpg

Fantastic :)

Starting to look quite impressive.

I'm interested to know why the sloping pillars were used, smaller footprint I imagine but they're not short of space, I'd imagine they've thought it through though!

Wow. It's really staring to take shape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob_B

I'm interested to know why the sloping pillars were used, smaller footprint I imagine but they're not short of space, I'd imagine they've thought it through though!

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Style maybe!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

I'm interested to know why the sloping pillars were used, smaller footprint I imagine but they're not short of space, I'd imagine they've thought it through though!

---

Only a guess here, but this would be my thought. They need the two pillars for that portion of the bridge, but if they were straight down they would need either two sets of foundations, or one set that would be much larger than the current one. Thus it would actually be cheaper to build them like that.

It will be a combination of cost, design and aesthetics.

I drive over the bridge twice a day so the new one will be of great benefit! It is really coming up fast now too :)

Went for a long overdue visit today (Dareos/Splash don't say a word!)

Lots of progress, the South side is almost to the water now, not long until that part starts I reckon.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/...6d9d9cba_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/...aafdbf1f_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/...5bd96fcc_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/...0a7dd679_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3863/...7902fbbc_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/...08a55386_c.jpg

Nice panorama!

Nice pics Rob.

It's really taking shape now.

I'd forgotten all about this thread and I was up there last month! Not really got any pics of the new bridge but have some of the old one which I may post if I get time.

Currently watching a documentary on the building of the first road bridge celebrating its 50th year, very interesting (no harnesses at all in those days!)

BBC iPlayer http://bbc.in/1tmxN74

Awesome find Rob. I am watching it now.

Lol.

The artists painting 46 mins in is Terrible.

I really enjoyed watching that.

The "official artist" or whatever was a bit of a strange addition to the programme I thought :D

I thought it was a good watch, I can't believe the guys casually strolling around up there with not even a rope to hold on to!

Just had the torch walk for the 50yrs of the road bridge and then the fireworks, wow, seriously, wow they were amazing!

Knowing how long the bridge is gives some idea of how massive this display was!

I'll try to scrape some pics and videos together to post in here.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/...0702a0dd_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3860/...99f80d9a_c.jpg

Not my video so credit to the person who filmed it
http://youtu.be/WfsjPpYwZIM

Better, full length video from the top of the Forth Bridge.

http://youtu.be/pF69B4MGoLA

Was there no official videos made? I haven't been able to find any

Not that I'm aware of, this video was the best I've seen so far, shows the scale of the display, I dread to think how much of the oil money has been spent last night! ;)

Wow I didn't even know about this. They really went for it! Great display :)

7 new photos added to flickr album, a few are below.

I went for a wander on the North side today as saw one of the pillars was up but it's kinda hidden from plain view. Didn't get too close as there was a (fallen down) fence across the 'beach' (it's rocky!) so I decided that was my limit.

All from the North side.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/...8e3f61c8_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/...e30f11d7_c.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/...b19c9f06_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/...74d32e60_c.jpg

I was looking through my pic backups and found an early one when I was wondering what the hell this digger was doing! (add to first post)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/...e82128a8_z.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/...c4647e44_z.jpg

A little activity, although this crane has now gone so I'm not sure what it was there for!

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/...08f050bf_z.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/...68921b55_z.jpg

Went down to the South side again today took some similar shots to the ones from June (Post #53)

You can also see the temporary platforms (that were being built in my last update) around the pillars now complete in the first pic.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/...cb9cc5de_c.jpg
Queensferry Crossing October 2014

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/...f259b8b9_c.jpg
Queensferry Crossing October 2014

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/...ece864d8_c.jpg
Queensferry Crossing October 2014

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2941/...cc65557b_c.jpg
Queensferry Crossing October 2014

cant wait for the edition of Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson drives over this bridge with the reg plate UK18 SEP....

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/...8d48c72f_c.jpg

Queensferry Crossing November 2014

All 3 bridges in 1 picture (kind of!)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/...fc88a333_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...b258f423_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...3cbc3324_c.jpg

Nice shots. Even nicer that for a change its not raining.

No updates from the 'usual' position due to a mix of no much visible progress/laziness! The South side is now over the water so maybe I'll go for a ride tomorrow and get some shots.

Thought I'd give you all a view from my window tonight :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...507e07f6_z.jpg

Wow, had I really not updated the static pic since September? Well, it's done now!

Another closer up pic, excuse the smudges, a certain one year old has found the joys of poking camera lenses...

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/...6a17b5de_z.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob_B

Big update today (OP updated with the static position picture)

---

Hey Rob,

Would you mind if I used one of these images?
I work for a company involved with the project and I would like to use one in our newsletter.
I noticed a website somewhere that features the shot I like prominently, so hopefully that's a good sign.

Hi, do you want to drop me a PM to discuss?

Cheers :)

Rob

I can't find the PM function on this forum :confused:

Aah I see, it's because of your post count, I didn't realise you'd just signed up.
Want to give me an email to contact (you can remove it after) ?

....

Thanks, got it.

Took this yesterday. Hope you don't mind me posting a pic Rob.

http://i.imgur.com/l93DbWi.jpg

Where was that from? Rosyth end it looks like ? :)

Yes, Rosyth side. There's a new road from Rosyth to North Queensferry and that's where the pic was taken.

First post static pic updated.

Went for a wander today, not managed to get anything from the South side where the roadway is really taking shape though. The North side road on land has also really changed, I'll have to get some time to get there too :)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7602/...9855efdf_z.jpg


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/...ab71b8bb_z.jpg


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8743/...40656035_c.jpg

Nice panorama there Rob!

15sec exposure on the compact, very blurry but oooh, shiny!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7648/...36e9d9c1_c.jpg
Queensferry Crossing April 2015

Update of the static pic in post #2

Also this one shows the progress of the south side quite well I think :)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/276/17...209cb113_c.jpg
Forth Road Bridge & Queensferry Crossing

Couple of shots from South Queensferry today

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/319/18...46cc1f8b_c.jpg


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/398/18...0a9835a2_c.jpg

More pics from the North side from today, few more in the Flickr album.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3924/1...c826264e_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/407/19...be6868fb_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/476/18...7de23abe_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/440/19...89131d17_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/368/19...42d3b98e_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/548/19...719390ab_c.jpg

A quick shot of the North side works from a moving train on a mobile :)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/498/19...2929ecf9_c.jpg

I was up early with the kids and noticed these fellows already working, rather them than me!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/1...5b30a186_c.jpg

Also I went up the Scott Monument for the first time since living here (a long time now). Got all 3 bridges in (just about)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/524/2...53f2360e_z.jpg