Pupils from local schools joined contractors and dignitaries to cut the ribbon on the £120 million structure, which crosses the Forth near Kincardine.

Along with easing congestion and opening up economic opportunities, the new link will allow repairs to be made to the existing Kincardine Bridge, before the two operate together.

Unveiling the bridge, Mr Salmond said: "This project began a while ago and there have been changes along the way but I am sure everyone involved will be delighted by this outcome.

"This is a world-class infrastructure project which will cut journey times, improve central Scotland connection, and provide a unique gateway to Clackmannanshire, Fife and Falkirk.

"Better, safer and faster transport links are key to our work to drive tourism. With the Year of Homecoming fast approaching I'm delighted to see links opening up, providing fast, unique routes between the exciting events taking place across Fife and the Central belt

"For local communities the Clackmannanshire Bridge will deliver not only visitors, but safer roads and environmental benefits. It will remove the long-standing congestion from the centre of Kincardine, encourage safe cycling, whilst benefiting local businesses."

"Transport is a fundamental part of the Scottish Government's drive to encourage sustainable economic growth and is not just important to this area, but to the whole of Scotland."

Youngsters from local schools took part in an art competition, with the top entries winning the chance to take part in the opening.

Jodie Duffin (11), a P7 pupil at Tulliallan Primary, said: " I was really excited about coming down. It was nice to see the bridge completed and to meet the First Minister."

Taking over two years to construct, the crossing was originally commissioned as the existing Kincardine Bridge was carrying more traffic than it was designed to take.

Weighing over 32,000 tonnes and 1.2 km in length, the project is the second longest incrementally launched concrete bridge in the world
As well as the bridge itself, the project also involved extensive improvements to the connecting trunk road network, with 3.6 miles of roads and 3 miles of cycleways being constructed, as well as associated roundabouts.

Overseen by Transport Scotland, the project was constructed by contractor Morgan VINCI, a joint venture between infrastructure services company Morgan Est and VINCI – the world's biggest construction company.

- The Kincardine Bridge opened in 1936. It was the furthest downstream road link across the Forth Estuary, reducing the travel distance from Edinburgh to Dunfermline by 20 miles.

- The bridge deck is 1.2km long, weighs 32,000 tonnes and will sit on 25 piers, each of which is filled with 840 tonnes of concrete.

- The bridge will be a wide single carriageway road. There is a cycleway/ footway for the west side of the bridge.

- To mitigate the effects of the scheme on the area's bird feeding grounds, contractors created additional mudflats and saltmarsh to provide roosting and feeding areas for wintering birds.

- At present around 16,500 vehicles pass through Kincardine village every day. The new bridge should see a reduction of more than 80 per cent.