Construction of the bridge began in December 1933 and was completed less than three years later on 29th October 1936. At its peak, the site employed more than 200 men with no major accidents recorded during the contract.

Initial works involved the installation of piles for the bridge supports and the construction of temporary timber access bridges from each shore. These were provided with tracks to aid the movement of materials and plant, including cranes. Construction of the reinforced concrete piers at the north shore involved the use of caissons, founded on solid rock. Excavated material was loaded into wagons and removed from site via the timber bridges. A 150 feet wide opening in the river channel was maintained for shipping throughout the works. Works on some piers was complicated by water making its way into the cylinders and eventually a system utilising compressed air was utilised.

The permanent timber jetty was completed by the autumn of 1935. Constructed of creosote treated high quality Canadian Douglas Fir, its purpose was to protect the structure when in the open position.

The bridge control room was finished to a high standard and designed to operate 24 hours a day. Its position high above the carriageway provided operators with unobstructed views of both the bridge and the River Forth.

More than 4,000 tonnes of steel and 150,000 rivets were used in the construction of the bridge. Steelwork was supplied to the site by rail by Sir William Arrol and Co of Glasgow and was designed to Ministry of Transport loading requirements. Some girders were so long they had to be delivered in smaller sections and bolted together. Erection of steelwork took place using cranes operating on the tracks of the temporary bridges.

The swing-span was completed in mid-1936 and was a fine example of both structural and mechanical engineering. It was erected in the open position to maintain shipping channels and was finished to a very high standard. A trial erection was undertaken at the fabrication yard prior to its transport to the site. Minimum headroom for vehicles travelling on the bridge is 18 feet, accessed via two concrete portals. These are adorned with the coats of arms of Stirling, Fife and Clackmannan and the name of the bridge is displayed in bronze lettering. Each portal is fitted with a gate, lowered to keep traffic off the swing-span. The gates, which have an ornamental finish, weigh almost 4 tonnes each.

The bridge control room was positioned 30 feet above the carriageway in the centre of the swing-span. As 24 hour operation was required, it was fitted with mess and welfare facilities for bridge staff. Operators were given an uninterrupted view of the bridge through the use of large windows on all sides.