What is Forth Road Bridge?
[[Image:Bb-forthroadbridge.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Forth Road Bridge]] ::''For the nearby rail bridge, see [[Forth Rail Bridge]].'' The '''Forth Road Bridge''' is a [[suspension bridge]] crossing the [[Firth of Forth]] in [[Scotland]]. It connects the city of [[Edinburgh, Scotland|Edinburgh]] to [[Fife]]. The bridge carries [[car]]s and [[pedestrian]]s across the Firth. It was built in 1963. [[Train]]s use the nearby [[Forth Rail Bridge]], a historic railroad bridge built in 1890. The bridge was designed by architect [[Richard Gilbert Scott]]. == Repairs == Even though the bridge was built so recently, it has had some serious repairs done. A report into the failure of nine heavy-duty [[Nut (hardware)|nuts]] on the Forth Road Bridge said all 1,888 similar nuts on the crossing should be replaced.<ref>All bridge nuts must be replaced. BBC News Scotland [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7999853.stm]</ref> All the [[cable]] band nuts and [[bolt]]s were replaced in the late 1990s as part of a large project to replace the hanger ropes. Ten years later, a report found serious defects. Bridge authority FETA investigated when inspectors found the nine cracked nuts. Engineers FaberMaunsell carried out [[lab]] tests and a study of similar issues on suspension bridges across the world. The nuts are used to secure 192 'cable bands' to the bridge's main cables.<ref>The bridge is a [[suspension bridge]]. They are held up by cables attached to the [[River bank|river banks]] and 'piers' sunk vertically in the ground beneath the water.</ref> The report also found workmen had not placed [[washer]]s correctly.<ref>Nuts and bolts are fixed to the metal frame with rubber washers which allow some 'give' as the bridge moves under loads from wind and traffic.</ref> This may have led to uneven pressure on the nuts. The protective coating on the nuts was poor, and allowed moisture to cause damage. Engineers have now replaced all nuts and bolts which were cracked.<ref> Forth Road Bridge fully reopened after weeken