
The £1.35 billion project to replace the Forth Road Bridge has been required due to heavy wear and tear the existing structure has suffered from carrying significantly more and heavier traffic than it was designed for. There have also been concerns over corrosion in the main cables of the existing suspension bridge, although further corrosion was halted by the introduction of a novel de-humidification process.
Opening the new Queensferry Crossing will allow the existing Forth Road Bridge to be used as a public transport corridor for buses and taxis. There are also possible plans for the existing bridge to carry trams in the future.