Construction companies have been invited to tender for the contract to build the replacement Forth crossing.

Two consortiums will vie for the £2bn contract which covers design and construction of the main crossing and approaching roads.

The Forthspan consortium consists of Vinci, Balfour Beatty, Bam Nuttal and Morgan Est forming the Forthspan consortium.

Dragados, Hochtief, American Bridge International and Morrisons forms The Forth Crossing Constructors group.


The contract includes a 2.7km motorway, a cable-stayed bridge with three mono-towers, trunk road connections, two flyover junctions and signs.

Both must submit a final tender with proposals and a price by late 2010 .

The new crossing is expected to be completed by 2016.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson told BBC Scotland: "The Forth Crossing Bill has just been introduced to parliament and the issuing of the formal invitation to tender demonstrates that delivery of the Forth replacement crossing remains on schedule.

"The long-term future for the existing Forth Road Bridge remains uncertain and it is vital we act now to preserve cross-Forth travel and ensure sustainable economic growth for communities across Scotland continues in the future."

(GK/KMcA)