For the nearby rail crossing, see Forth Rail Bridge.

The Forth Road Bridge is a major suspension bridge that spans the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It links the suburbs north of the river with the city of Edinburgh, providing a road connection to Fife. The structure carries motor vehicles and is also used by pedestrians. Construction was completed in the early 1960s and the bridge served as the principal road crossing of the Forth for decades.

History and role

Planned to relieve ferry traffic and growing road demand, the bridge opened to traffic during the 1960s. For many years it formed the main route between Edinburgh and Fife until additional crossings were built. It has been an important transport link for commuters, freight and local journeys across the estuary.

Design and appearance

The Forth Road Bridge is a long-span suspension bridge. The project brought together engineers and architects to balance structural requirements with visual considerations; the architect Richard Gilbert Scott is among those associated with its architectural aspects. The bridge's towers, cables and deck typify mid‑20th century suspension-bridge engineering.

Nearby rail bridge

Rail services crossing the Firth of Forth use the neighbouring and much older railway viaduct. Trains pass over the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, a cantilevered steel railway bridge completed in 1890 that remains a prominent landmark.