Work to remove three of the tollbooths and their concrete plinths started last night (Wednesday), and the rest of the tolls will be taken down after February 11.
And although motorists are being warned to expect delays on the northbound approach to the Forth Road Bridge while the booths are dismantled, hopes are high that the long-term impact of abolishing the tolls on the nearest alternative route, the Kincardine Bridge, could be minimal.
John Angell, acting head of planning and transportation at Falkirk Council, said: "The current tolls are in one direction only and no one has noticed any significant "tidal" flows via the Kincardine Bridge.
There was some traffic modelling done several years ago to see what would happen if the tolls were increased dramatically.
"The indications were that there would not be significant diversion of traffic to Kincardine.
"Presumably it is also true that the removal of tolls would not divert significant traffic away from Kincardine towards Queensferry, but that is a matter for Transport Scotland to confirm."
According to the Scottish Government, which oversees the work of Transport Scotland, the number of motorists using Kincardine could drop slightly.
A spokesperson said: "We have not undertaken detailed modelling specific to Kincardine on the effect of removing the tolls, but we are aware that there is a small percentage of the cross-Forth flow that travels south over the Forth Road Bridge but uses another crossing for the northbound leg of their journey.
"The removal of the tolls therefore may result in a small percentage decrease in the northbound flow at Kincardine."
The SNP's proposals to scrap Scotland's last two remaining bridge tolls were backed by the Scottish Parliament in December. The Forth Estuary Transport Authority and the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board will remain responsible for managing the bridges which are used by more than 70,000 vehicles a day.
Cars pay £1 to cross the Forth Bridge and 80p for the Tay.
FETA convener Tony Martin said: "We welcome the abolition of tolls on the grounds of fairness.
"Confirmation of the date means we can now press ahead with the practical arrangements."
Norman Philip, co-ordinator of the Friends of the Earth group in Falkirk, said the environmental impact of abolishing the tolls was hanging in the balance.
"I can't see there being a major impact on our roads," he said.
"I think there will be more congestion on the roads in and around Edinburgh, and that will affect people from this area or business travelling into the city.
"Friends of the Earth Scotland campaigned to keep the tolls because of the congestion issue.
"As long as there was something that made people stop and pay, more people might have thought about taking public transport.
"However, if more people drive, there will be more congestion and, particularly in Edinburgh, there are problems with parking which might encourage people not to take the car.''
d.punshon@falkirkherald.co.uk