The Forth Road Bridge will fully reopen to traffic this weekend after repairs to the crossing are completed.

It was closed to all traffic early in December after a crack was discovered, with cars and light vehicles allowed to use it again from December 23.

Transport minister Derek Mackay announced on Friday that the structure would fully reopen from 11pm on Saturday.

A phased reintroduction of lorries began earlier this month. The trial allowed 600 HGVs to cross northbound between 11pm and 4am each night, subject to weather conditions.

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Officials said at the time that it would be mid-March before the structure was fully reopened but that has now been brought forward.

Mr Mackay said: “It is great to see the Forth Road Bridge fully reopening this weekend. The immediate repair work is in the final stage and no further structural defects have been identified during painstaking investigations by engineers.

“I know that this is something that will be welcomed by the tens of thousands of drivers who use the bridge on a daily basis, especially the heavy goods vehicle drivers who have had to observe restricted crossing times in the past few weeks.

“I would like to thank them for their patience during this time and stress again that safety and the long-term integrity of the bridge had to be our main considerations.

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“We did all we could to assist the HGV community on an operational level and they have shown great forbearance.”

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) previously claimed the closure of the bridge was costing firms £600,000.

It was closed to all traffic from December 4 after a crack was found in a truss end link during a routine inspection.

Earlier this month, ministers said the storms that battered Scotland had slowed the progress of repairs and it could be mid-March before HGVs had unrestricted access to the bridge.

To speed up repairs, as much work as possible was done in the workshops, lessening the impact of the weather.

Speaking at the bridge control centre, Mr Mackay said: “Tribute should be paid to the engineering team that has been relentless in its commitment to getting this structure reopened.

“The team has worked tirelessly throughout despite very challenging weather conditions, employing innovative approaches to the repairs and putting in place very effective solutions to complex problems.”

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He said works had been accelerated, adding: “Everything that could be done has been done to bring forward that programme. There’s been more favourable weather, which has allowed the repairs to continue.”

Mr Mackay said: “I’d like to thank the public for their forbearance and would particularly like to thank all the staff teams who have been working on the bridge to repair it and get it open as quickly, which has been my priority throughout.”

Monitoring equipment placed on the bridge while the work was being done will remain, Mr Mackay said, adding operator Amey had given it a “full structural health check” and carried out routine maintenance while it was closed. This should reduce the need for the Forth Road Bridge to close again, he added.

Mark Arndt, Amey’s account director for the Forth Road Bridge, said: “We did work around the clock to try to accelerate everything we possibly could.”

Repair work is in the final stages, he said, adding a permanent replacement for the truss end links would be carried out “with minimal closures and traffic management” as part of routine works.

“We’ve got confidence the bridge will be open (on Saturday) night, it will be fully functional, we’ve tested it so HGVs can return,” he said.

“Getting to this stage is the result of months of hard work from our team and partners and we’re hugely appreciative of the dedication shown by everyone involved during what has been a very challenging time.”

Martin Reid, RHA director for Scotland, said: “The return to normal tomorrow is a huge relief for all concerned. All too often we take our core road infrastructure for granted and that cannot be allowed to happen in future.”

Opposition politicians urged the Scottish Government to do more to help any businesses that had suffered as a result of the closure.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Alex Rowley, the MSP for Cowdenbeath in Fife, said: “The experience of this closure has demonstrated how crucial the bridge is, not just for Fife but the whole Scottish economy.

“We must make sure that the ongoing maintenance is carried out to the level required and cost is not used as an excuse not to do whatever work is needed.

“Many businesses in Fife have found this period very difficult and I am continuing to make the case to the SNP Government for financial support for those put in the most difficulty.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “It is good the bridge is finally reopening to HGVs but the cost to business has been high.

“The Scottish Government must set up a compensation fund for business and promote it directly to the businesses that have lost out.

“The closure of the bridge was a result of Government decisions so it would not be fair for business to pay the price. I have called for this fund to be set up repeatedly but the Government has ignored those pleas. The SNP Government needs to act now.”