Forth Road Bridge

The Forth Road Bridge

For the nearby rail bridge, see Forth Rail Bridge.

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It connects the city of Edinburgh to Fife. The bridge carries cars and pedestrians across the Firth. It was built in 1963. Trains use the nearby Forth Rail Bridge, a historic railroad bridge built in 1890. The bridge was designed by architect Richard Gilbert Scott.

Repairs

Even though the bridge was built so recently, it has had some serious repairs done. A report into the failure of nine heavy-duty nuts on the Forth Road Bridge said all 1,888 similar nuts on the crossing should be replaced.^[1]

All the cable band nuts and bolts were replaced in the late 1990s as part of a large project to replace the hanger ropes. Ten years later, a report found serious defects. Bridge authority FETA investigated when inspectors found the nine cracked nuts. Engineers FaberMaunsell carried out lab tests and a study of similar issues on suspension bridges across the world. The nuts are used to secure 192 'cable bands' to the bridge's main cables.^[2]

The report also found workmen had not placed washers correctly.^[3] This may have led to uneven pressure on the nuts. The protective coating on the nuts was poor, and allowed moisture to cause damage.

Engineers have now replaced all nuts and bolts which were cracked.^[4]

Forth Road Bridge Media

Under construction in July 1962
An inspection of the integrity of the cables under way on the bridge
High-tensile wires suspending the deck of the northbound carriageway
Forth Road Bridge anchorage chamber, north side
From left to right The Queensferry Crossing, the Forth Road Bridge and the Forth Bridge.
A driverless bus of the same model that operates across the Forth Road Bridge.

Notes

↑ All bridge nuts must be replaced. BBC News Scotland [1]
↑ The bridge is a suspension bridge. They are held up by cables attached to the river banks and 'piers' sunk vertically in the ground beneath the water.
↑ Nuts and bolts are fixed to the metal frame with rubber washers which allow some 'give' as the bridge moves under loads from wind and traffic.
↑ Forth Road Bridge fully reopened after weekend repair work. BBC News Scotland [2]

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[1] All bridge nuts must be replaced. BBC News Scotland [1]

[2] The bridge is a suspension bridge. They are held up by cables attached to the river banks and 'piers' sunk vertically in the ground beneath the water.

[3] Nuts and bolts are fixed to the metal frame with rubber washers which allow some 'give' as the bridge moves under loads from wind and traffic.

[4] Forth Road Bridge fully reopened after weekend repair work. BBC News Scotland [2]

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