The incredible new £150m bridge on UK A-road that’s taken 10 years to finish

The first few visitors to a highly anticipated new bridge crossing in Scotland were able to walk across it for the first time this year.

Destiny Bridge, in Perth has been under construction for 10 years and whilst it is yet to open to the public, a select few members of the public have been able to walk along and check it out.

The bridge, which stands over the River Tay, is part of the £150 million Cross Tay Link Road and is due to open next year.

The 3.7-mile route connects the A9 Perth to Inverness road with the A93 Blairgowrie and the A94 to Coupar Angus.

The bridge offers unparalleled views of the Perth countryside and includes a green bridge to Highfield woods for walkers, cyclists and wildlife which is also close to completion.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing believes that the Destiny Bridge encapsulates everything that is great about the area.

He said: “We’ve got this incredible modern construction here.

“And yet there are people fishing on either side of the bridge, as they have done for hundreds of years.

The only problem might be people slowing down to take in the views.”

Mr Laing also believes that the project will prove to be money well spent in developing the area’s infrastructure.

He added:“It is all part of the jigsaw that will open up more economic development for the whole of Perth and Kinross,” he said.

“And it sends a statement that we are a local authority that is willing to invest in infrastructure.

“If you don’t take bold steps, like we have done here, you’ll still be sitting in the same place in 10 or 20 years’ time. And that is not what we want for Perth and Kinross.”

The Scottish government contributed £40 million to the project with First Minister John Swinney recently visiting as the project comes close to completion.

Mr Swinney believes that the project marks a “huge step forward for the city of Perth.”

He said: “Having seen the project at the different stages, and seen some of the challenges the team have had to overcome, this is a remarkable feat of engineering and a huge credit to everyone involved.”