THE NEW Queensferry Crossing is in the final 12 months of its countdown to replace the Forth Road Bridge when it opens later this year.

From galvanised, wax-coated wires designed to prevent corrosion to self-cleaning perspex wind shields which will allow the bridge to stay open in 100mph gales, the replacement crossing is being touted as a different animal to its predecessor, able to withstand all but the harshest elements.

With less than a year to go until its grand opening – the last sections of deck are already on their way – ideas are already being put forward about how to celebrate, including giving the public a unique opportunity to walk across it before it opens to vehicles.

Last week Lawrence Shankman from Transport Scotland and Ewen MacDonell, community liaison officer with the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) consortium, held a project update briefing about progress so far and how much work is left.

Hailing it as the “biggest transport infrastructure in a generation”, they confirmed the project remained on time, scheduled to open by the end of 2016, and was still under budget, down to £1.325-£1.35 billion from an initial estimate of £1.45-£1.6bn due to low inflation and good governance.

With 34 deck sections already in place and 76 to go, the bridge will continue to take shape over the coming months.

The sections take 47 days to arrive from Shanghai and the last of them are already on their way, meaning that all the deck sections will be delivered by the end of February.

Another key operation happening in the next few weeks is the “launching” of a section of deck onto the north approach viaduct.

The water around the supports at the north side is too shallow for a barge to get near and lift the decking.

So the sections have been put in place on the ground and the 222 metre-long, 5,600-tonne steel structure will be pushed out at a rate of around four inches per minute, making it “the most complex launch ever attempted in the UK”.

The rest of the deck will be erected throughout the year, from the north tower to the centre and then the centre to the south.

The eventual length of 2,633m will make the crossing one of the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridges in the world.

Its highest point of 210m is a staggering 50m above the Forth Road Bridge, making it the tallest bridge structure in the UK.

Holding the structure up are stay cables made of seven wires, galvanised and wax-coated to minimise any problems that might come from corrosion.

“The wires are the same as those in the Forth Road Bridge but they were out on the open air in the estuary and had moisture trapped inside, which caused corrosion,” explained Ewen.

“These are covered in a high-density polyethylene which protects the cable from moisture.

“It’s quite easy to deal with if something goes wrong. We can take out a strand or even an entire cable without affecting the performance of the bridge. It’s big difference compared to the Forth Road Bridge.”

Another advantage the new bridge will have is its ability to remain open in high winds, thanks to 3.6m-high shields made from self-cleaning perspex.

While the Forth Road Bridge closes completely when wind speeds reach 80mph, it would take 150mph winds to shut the Queensferry Crossing. “The idea is if you can get to the bridge, you’ll get across it, apart from in the case of exceptional weather,” said Lawrence. “It’s a different league.”

And if the Forth Road Bridge closes to high-sided vehicles like double-decker buses, a detour to Kincardine will no longer be needed, as public transport will be allowed to use the hard shoulder of the Queensferry Crossing in such circumstances.

“It will also provide a smoother run for drivers, as cars won’t be going over bumpy joints like on the Forth Road Bridge. It’s more like a concertina but with a smooth surface,” explained Lawrence.

Now, with less than 12 months to go, the end of the project is in sight and Lawrence is hoping that the public will join them in marking the occasion.

“We’re looking forward to the opening of the bridge and we want to put in place some sort of celebration later in the year,” he said.

“We want to make sure people have the opportunity to walk across it and enjoy it before it opens to traffic.”