Ministers in Scotland have unveiled plans for a radical twin road bridge over the Forth. The Scottish Executive has recommended that a new bridge costing £1.72bn to £2.34bn is built alongside the present bridge, which will be kept and used for public transport only. This is instead of the original plan for a £4.2bn replacement design.
The new bridge will not feature a public transport corridor, the number of carriageways will be reduced from three lanes to two, and road connections will be cut back on either side. Although the details are still being considered, the new crossing is expected to be completed by 2016 and be toll-free.
Tony Martin, Forth Road Bridge Authority (FETA) convener, says: "We strongly welcome the announcement that the new bridge is on track for completion by 2016 and confirmation of the continuing role for 
the existing bridge as a dedicated public transport crossing."
Other announcements from the review include plans to:
- Dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness
- Build a relief road to the north of Dundee
- Upgrade the A92 Edinburgh to Dundee across Fife
Phil Flanders, the Road Haulage Association's director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, says: "These upgrades should help reduce journey times for freight movements and improve road safety. The improvements for passenger transport will also help by giving more incentive to car users to seriously consider other modes. Further detail is required about when these projects will be taken forward before we can acclaim the review as a great help for the freight industry, but it is certainly a move in the right direction."