The Queensferry Crossing will open to traffic on August 30.
Originally due to open last December, it was then hoped it could be open by May 2017.
However, bad weather at the start of the year saw that date postponed again.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said it will open to traffic on August 30 but will close down again two days later to give the public a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to walk over the £1.325 billion crossing on the weekend of September 2 and 3.
There are 50,000 places up for grabs through a ballot which has opened on Tuesday.
Details of the official opening of the flagship project have not yet been announced.
On a visit to the Forth on Tuesday, Mr Brown met with workers from the Forth Replacement Crossing project and veterans of the construction industry who played a role in building the Forth Road Bridge more than 50 years ago.
“It is fitting to be able to make this announcement alongside some of those who built the Forth Road Bridge and those who are building the Queensferry Crossing,” he said.
“What is being achieved on the Forth today, like what was achieved 53 years ago, is a testament to the expertise and the endeavour of those who have designed and built these bridges.”
Mr Brown added: “This marks the beginning of the end of a 10 year process for this project.
“Starting with the early Forth Crossing studies, the Act of Parliament, design, procurement, through to work beginning on site in August 2011.”
Michael Martin, project director for the consortium building the crossing, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, 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.”
Up to 50,000 lucky people will have the chance to walk the bridge before its transition to a motorway with no pedestrian access.
“In order to manage access to the bridge there will be a ballot to decide who will have this unique opportunity to be one of the 50,000 people.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to enter and take part,” added Mr Brown
The public has until noon on Wednesday July 5 to enter at the Queensferry Crossing Experience website www.queensferrycrossingexperience.com
