Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks if the dry spring has allowed the AWPR contract to catch up.

Mr Brown says you can't really catch up but good progress has been made.

He says you can't give a running commentary on where we are but good progress has been made.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says there has been huge disruption to farmers and good will has been lost.

He says there are problems with the fending and one property has had no water for seven months and that is unacceptable.

The minister says he will look into these issues.

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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson moves on to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says the contractor has provided reassurance that it will carry out as much of the work as possible in the daytime but some has had to be done at night.

Mr Brown says access to land for farmers has to be maintained.

He says sometimes there are times when access is not possible but that will be kept to a minimum.

The economy secretary says in terms of the overall contract he holds that it can be achieved.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks what bridge the emergency services will use and asks if there are any plans to change the name of the Queensferry Crossing.

Mr Brown says there are no plans to change the name and it will remain the Queensferry Crossing.

The economy secretary says there was a call for entries on what the name could be and his own personal favourite "Kevin" didn't make it.

Mr Greene suggests "bridgey-mcbridge-face" which brings laughter from the committee.

Mr Climie says the emergency services can use either bridge.

Green MSP John Finnie asks about promotions and how this can be linked to the Public Transport Strategy.

Mr Brown says for both pedestrians and cyclists there will be no change to what they currently have on Forth Road Bridge.

The economy secretary says the bridge becomes a public transport passageway.

Mr Shackman says there has been a bus training day for all the bus operators and there is a ferry toll park and ride system.

He says there is a leaflet for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Tory MSP Edward Mountain raises the issue of liquidated damages and passing the contractual date.

Mr Mountain says it has been reported that it cost the contractor £100m a day.

Mr Brown says: "There is absolutely no question it was £100m."

David Climie, project director, Forth Replacement Crossing Team, Transport Scotland says these figures were bandied about in the papers.

Mr Climie says the £100m does not bear any relation to liquidated damages.

Mr Lyle asks to clarify "if people make a genuine mistake, you'll let them away with it?" and asks if people use it they'll be fined.

Lawrence Shackman from Transport Scotland says that if a driver uses the Forth Road Bridge they "are breaking the law" like going up a one-way street.

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SNP MSP Richard Lyle says he is confused if a driver goes the wrong way goes over the old Forth Road Bridge which is set aside for buses.

Mr Lyle asks what will be done to tackle driver confusion.

Mr Brown says there is nothing to prevent public transport to use the Queensferry Crossing but it will be to there benefit to use the Forth Road Bridge.

David Climie, project director, Forth Replacement Crossing Team, Transport Scotland says cars using the Forth Road Bridge will be fined, but he says there will be a lead in period for a genuine mistake.

Image source, Getty Images

The opening of the new Queensferry Crossing was further delayed due to "adverse weather conditions".

The bridge was originally due to open in December but bad weather had already delayed the completion date until May.

SNP MSP John Mason asks when Amey will assume responsibility for the management of the bridge.

David Climie from Transport Scotland says: "There is not just a line in the sand where we hand over the keys."

Mr Climie says there is a transition phase of 3-6 months.

Image source, Transport

Last week Michael Martin, project director for the consortium building the Queensferry Crossing, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC), said: "The Queensferry Crossing is one of the world's great bridges.

"It's the largest bridge of its type and its fast track design and construction has presented many challenges.

"The safety of our workforce, who have worked relentlessly through the hostile weather conditions in the Forth estuary to deliver the earliest completion of this project, has always been our number one priority and it will continue to be so as move towards the completion of the project."

David Climie, project director, Forth Replacement Crossing Team, Transport Scotland says the closure and reopening allows examination and trial of the emergency.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks who will bear the cost of this.

Mr Climie says it is covered by the project budget.

SNP MSP John Mason says it seems odd to open the bridge and close it again and asks for the reasons for this.

Mr Brown says it was important to open the bridge during the window that had previously been stated.

He says it also gives a "once in a lifetime chance" for people to walk over the bridge.

The economy secretary says it is important to open the bridge to traffic on the 30 August.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks about contingency plans for the Queensferry Crossing

Mr Brown says: "We always have contingency plans on a project like this."

David Climie, project director, Forth Replacement Crossing Team, Transport Scotland says he is very encouraged by the progress he has seen.

Ms Grant says this is a nine months delay

The minister says: "I don't think it is nine months at all."

Mr Brown says it is 10 weeks beyond the contract completion date.

The structure is 207m above high tide (683ft), equivalent to about 48 double decker buses stacked on top of each other.

It is 50m (25%) higher than the existing Forth Road Bridge

The steel required for the bridge deck weighs a total of 35,000 tonnes -equivalent to almost 200 Boeing 747s.

Image source, TRANSPORT SCOTLAND

The combined steel required for North and South viaducts weighs 7,000 tonnes - enough to make another 23 Kelpies.

The bridge has windshielding to almost entirely eliminate the need for closures during the frequent periods of high winds in the Forth estuary

Cables can be replaced with more ease than on the Forth Road Bridge - it can be done as part of normal maintenance works without closing the bridge.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant asks if Mr Brown is confident the Queensferry Crossing will open on 30 August.

Mr Brown says that he is.

Ms Grant asks if he is "100% confident".

Mr Brown says it is difficult to be 100% about any construction project like this but he is confident it will open on that date.

Mr Brown says the M8 bundle is nearing completion and he says the fruits of the government's infrastructure investment are coming to fruition.

Image source, bbc

Mr Brown details improvements to the M73 and M74.

The economy secretary says there has been substantial progress.

He says there has been extensive activity on the AWPR.

The cabinet secretary the new major bridge over the River Dee is progressing well.

He outlines progress on the A9 dualling.