The Queensferry Crossing is a record breaker – and that’s official.
The £1.3 billion bridge’s centre tower deck has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest freestanding balanced cantilever in the world.
But it is only fleeting — the 644 metre cantilever won’t last long as soon it will be connected to the north and south towers and viaducts to form the final bridge.
However, experts at Guinness World Records have officially ratified the record while the deck is in this world-record breaking — albeit temporary — state.
Work has been going on for a year to lift each 16-metre, 750 tonne section of deck piece by piece to create the central tower deck fan.
Each deck section is added in sequence at alternate ends, ensuring that the cantilever remains balanced.
Until now the balanced cantilever method has never been used to construct a bridge this big.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “We can all agree the Queensferry Crossing is a modern marvel and a world class feat of engineering.
“It’s only fitting then that the bridge has been awarded a Guinness World Records title.
“This world record breaking structure is all the more remarkable when you consider the extreme weather conditions often experienced out in the Firth of Forth, especially working up above the water between 60 metres and 210 metres high.
“Everyone who has worked so hard and skilfully to build this amazing bridge is a world record beater in their own right.
“It won’t be long before the balanced cantilever disappears, when the small gaps between the towers are closed.
“But the record is still there to be beaten and the Queensferry Crossing will still be the tallest bridge in the UK and longest bridge of its type anywhere in the world.”
Alan Platt, FCBC Construction Director added: “This unique achievement at the centre tower is a feat of engineering which the whole FCBC team is immensely proud of.
“This is leading edge civil engineering and I’m delighted to pay tribute to the skills and dedication of everyone involved.”
The centre tower’s manager Iain Cookson, explaining the logistics of creating the deck, said: “It’s not every day you get to achieve a Guinness World Records title.”
The construction of this record-breaker has involved the installation of 36 separate steel and concrete deck sections.
Each one was lifted 60 metres above sea level before being welded and bolted into position.
Simultaneously, steel stay-cables which will bear the weight of each deck section, were installed.
“It has been a tremendous team effort ever since we lifted the first deck section in October 2015,” he said.
