The contract was awarded to Tancard, Arrol & Company on December 21st 1882. Total cost was about 2.5M Pounds plus 0.5M Pounds for connecting railway lines between Inverkeithing Station and Dalmery Old Station. The foundations and piers contained about 140.000 cubic yards of mansonry and about 55.000 tons of steel in the superstructure.
During the constuction of the bridge were 44 lives lost, 93 injuries treated in hospital and 459 treated at home.
The total length of the bridge is 5330ft (1624.6m), the whole length of the structure including both approch viaducts is 8295ft and 9.5in (2528.5m). The total allowance for expansion and contraction is between 6 and 7ft (1.8-2.1m).
The bridge was opened on March 4th 1890 by HRH The Prince of Whales.
The 145 acres of steelwork are painted by a permanent gang of 29 painters who complete the job every three years.(Information by L.S.Kyle, Annadale)