Upper Forth Crossing
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The Upper Forth Crossing is the name given to the project to build a third road bridge over the River Forth estuary in Scotland.
The increasing levels of traffic using the existing Kincardine Bridge led to a public inquiry being held into options to ease traffic flow over the Forth and around the small town of Kincardine. In 2000 proposals were put forward for a number of alternatives, one of which was a new crossing running north-northwest of the existing bridge, bypassing the town of Kincardine altogether.
In 2005 the new crossing was given the go-ahead, and construction began in June 2006, with the sod-cutting ceremony performed by the Scottish Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, accompanied by the Earl of Elgin who as a boy had performed the ceremony for the Kincardine Bridge.
As yet the bridge has not been named, but a minor row has broken out between those local authorities with a vested interest.[1] Clackmannanshire Council voted to suggest "Clackmannanshire Bridge" - even though two other councils, Fife and Falkirk, are involved. Fife Council have responded with "Kingdom Bridge" (referring to the historic kingdom of Fife). The Scottish Executive have intimated that a decision will be made later in 2007.
The bridge is expected to open to traffic in 2008.