A YouGov poll carried out by a coalition of environmentalists found that 57% of Scots want to see the current Forth bridge repaired instead of replaced.
The Green Party commissioned the research along with activists from Friends of the Earth and pressure group ForthRight Alliance.
The group says just 34% of Scots support the SNP's plans for a new Forth Crossing, which could cost up to £2,300 million.
However, the group has come under fire from those in favour of a new crossing, who say their poll question was misleading.
The group asked more than 1,100 adults whether they would prefer the existing crossing to be repaired at a cost of "112 million, or the new one built.
However, they failed to include details of the length of time the existing crossing would have to be closed and the impact that would have on industry in Fife.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie MSP said the poll was proof that the public would prefer not to see the new bridge built.
He said: "As so often, common sense prevails outside Holyrood, and the massive scare campaign Ministers have run against the existing Forth Road Bridge has clearly failed. Like everyone else, Greens believe we do need a road crossing over the Forth, and fortunately there already is one.
"There's still time for Scottish Ministers to listen to public opinion and fix the existing bridge for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the disruption.
"John Swinney tells us that the Scottish public finances have never been under such pressure. Despite these pressures, he's preparing to squander billions on a project Scotland simply doesn't need.
"If this deeply unpopular bridge is eventually built, the damage to the public finances will be matched only by the damage to the SNP's reputation, and if they defy the evidence they will jeopardise their own political future."
However, the survey was dismissed by the Lib Dem team in Fife, who said the closure of the existing bridge for repair work would "decimate" the Fife economy.
West Fife MP Willie Rennie said: “Unfortunately, the protest groups who commissioned this poll are blind to the facts, meaning its’ results are little more than blinkered mumbo jumbo.
“This poll made no mention of the fact that it would be impossible to keep the bridge open whilst it was being repaired. Without a crossing, the Fife economy would be decimated- that should matter to Glasgow and Edinburgh politicians as much as those in Fife.
“The longer the uncertainty over the funding continues the greater the concern will be in Fife - especially in the business community who need a guarantee that Fife will not be cut off.
MSP Jim Tolson added: "This is the last desperate attempt by a small minority to devastate the economy of east central Scotland
“The new bridge is the least costly, most reliable and least damaging impact on the environment.
“Any other option, including trying to use only the current bridge, would 'fly in the face' of the aims of the Green party and other environmentalists. They need to understand the new bridge IS happening, whether they want it to or not!"
Last updated: 10 November 2009, 16:02
The links provided allow you to bookmark this page into your favourite social media website. For users with JavaScript disabled copy and paste the URL from the address bar into your chosen social bookmarking site.