Chaos and confusion reigned supreme after the Forth Road Bridge was closed to all traffic with no firm timescale being put on when the crossing might reopen.
The complete closure of the bridge came into force at midnight following the discovery of a structural fault, causing significant queues on diversion routes.
Transport Scotland confirmed the crossing will be closed until at least Saturday, but adverse weather is likely to hamper the progress of engineers and push that time well into the weekend.
However, it has been suggested that closures in some shape or form could last up to three weeks although the Scottish Government has not yet confirmed or denied those claims.
Transport minister Derek Mackay said it would be “not just today” that the crossing would be shut, adding that the decision to implement the closure of the bridge which is also shut to cyclists and pedestrians had been taken as a “precautionary step”.
ScotRail said it was adding extra carriages and staff the services on the rail bridge to and from Fife but remarkably said it could give “no guarantee” of travel, meaning many commuters remain in the dark.
Indeed, the train operator asked the public to “only travel if necessary”.
Mr Mackay told the BBC Good Morning Scotland programme today: “Ministers are meeting again by teleconference this morning with further advice on what the repair plan looks like.
“I’ll be able to say more about that later today. I don’t want to give a timescale only to change it within a few hours.
“It’s not going to be just today.”
Earlier this week, traffic on the bridge was restricted to a single lane in each direction, following the discovery of a defect to a steel component beneath the southbound carriageway.
It was found by engineers on Tuesday during a routine planned inspection.
Mr Mackay said on Thursday evening: “In light of the latest information and advice, we’ve been recommended to close the Forth Road Bridge.
“The reason for that is that further traffic will cause further damage to the bridge. Having identified the fault, therefore, the bridge has to be closed.
“I know that that causes significant disruption and I thank travellers and drivers for their patience but we have to close the bridge for reasons of safety to undertake investigation and repairs, and therefore I would advise the travelling public to avoid travelling if they were going to use the Forth Road Bridge.”
Long delays have been reported on alternative routes during Friday morning’s rush-hour, with Traffic Scotland warning tailbacks on the A985 stretched for 11 miles at one point on the approach to the Kincardine Bridge.
An accident there prior to the rush hour also added to the significant delays.
Motorists trying to go via the Clackmannanshire Bridge were also faced with a six-mile queue around the Clackmannanshire Bridge.