The famous route will be upgraded from Barnton Junction to the Forth Road Bridge.

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However, government agency Transport Scotland said the replacement for the Forth Road Bridge was still essential.

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About 100 events are planned including a concert to open the Ryder Cup and a flotilla to celebrate the Forth Road Bridge's 50th anniversary.

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"The Forth Road Bridge has provided 25 million vehicles every year with a connection between communities north and south of the Forth estuary whilst acting as a vital link in Scotland's transport network, " he said.

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Despite hundreds of drivers being caught in traffic jams across the capital on the way to work, the traffic on the Forth Road Bridge was flowing without major delays, according to the bridge operators and police.

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The aim of the bill is to grant Scottish ministers the necessary powers to construct a new road bridge over the Firth of Forth, adjacent to the existing Forth Road Bridge, along with new and upgraded connecting roads.

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Meanwhile, Transport Minister Keith Brown has said he was "puzzled" by claims that Edinburgh taxpayers could be hit with a multi-million pound compensation bill for roadworks leading to the new Forth road bridge.

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On a separate transport issue, Transport Minister Keith Brown was asked whether the Scottish Government will have to compensate BP for potential damage to its pipeline during construction of the new Forth road bridge.

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