New Queensferry Crossing added to Google maps
30 August 2017
The new bridge across the Forth estuary has been added to Google Maps, as it officially opened to traffic. Users had been unable to find the PS1.35bn Queensferry Crossing on Google Maps despite it being under construction for six years. The new crossing between the Lothians to Fife was added to Maps overnight as the bridge opened for the first time. Maps now shows the 53-year-old Forth Road Bridge, the iconic 19th Century Forth Bridge and the new crossing. The Ordnance Survey had earlier confirmed that the crossing was on its OS MasterMap database. It said the database was updated 10,000 times a day by OS surveyors. The new bridge between the north of Edinburgh and Fife will take most of the 24 million vehicle journeys a year that currently use the ailing Forth Road Bridge. The existing suspension bridge will be adapted to be used by lighter traffic such as bicycles, pedestrians and public transport. On Monday night, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon switched on the lights and a projection was beamed over the new Queensferry Crossing to mark a week of celebrations around its opening. Friday 1 September Early in the morning, the Queensferry Crossing will close to all traffic. Police will redirect all vehicles back across the Forth Road Bridge. It will remain closed until the early hours of Thursday morning. Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September About 50,000 members of the public, who were given tickets after a ballot, will get a "once in a lifetime" chance to walk over the new bridge on Saturday and Sunday. The Queen will officially open the Queensferry Crossing. She will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will bless the bridge, and the Queen will cut a ribbon on the south side. Tuesday 5 September A chance for a further 10,000 local people and school children to walk the bridge. Thursday 7 September The bridge will re-open to traffic, with no pedestrian access. The initial speed limit will be 40mph but after work has been completed to adapt the Forth Road Bridge public transport will be switched back to the old bridge and the Queensferry Crossing will become a 70 mph motorway.
Friday 1 September Early in the morning, the Queensferry Crossing will close to all traffic. Police will redirect all vehicles back across the Forth Road Bridge. It will remain closed until the early hours of Thursday morning. Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September About 50,000 members of the public, who were given tickets after a ballot, will get a "once in a lifetime" chance to walk over the new bridge on Saturday and Sunday.
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