Forth Road Bridge In Trouble
The Forth Road Bridge has not been in the best of health for some years. Wikipedia has a section called Structural Issues and this is said.
2003 saw an inspection programme launched (at a cost of £1.2 million) to assess the condition of the bridge’s main suspension cables after excessive corrosion was discovered in a number of older bridges in the United States of a similar design and size. The study, which was completed in 2005, found that the main cables had suffered an estimated 8-10% loss of strength. Future projections highlight the likelihood of an accelerating loss of strength, with traffic restrictions to limit loading required in 2014 in the worst-case scenario, followed by full closure as early as 2020.
But now a different problem has arisen, as is reported in this article of the BBC. This said.
The Forth Road Bridge is to be closed until the new year because of structural faults, Transport Minister Derek Mackay has said.
This morning, there were long tailbacks on alternative routes.
It strikes me that this part of Scotland is in for not a very good Christmas.
At least the Forth Rail Bridge is its usual sturdy iconic self and I suspect that can cope with a few extra shuttle trains to help take the pressure of the roads.
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The Anonymous Widower 
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