Balfour Beatty/Vinci/Morgan Est/BAM Nuttall JV confirmed for Forth Replacement Crossing

Morgan Est, BAM Nuttall, Balfour Beatty and VINCI Construction Grands Projets have joined together as Forthspan to address the demands of this major project which is vital to Scotland’s economy.

Forthspan is a strong Scottish-based group that has been formed to prequalify and bid for the UK’s most significant new bridge in 20 years. All four businesses have a solid record of delivering major infrastructure schemes in Scotland and throughout the world and now jointly will provide the full range of skills, resources and technical expertise required for such a large scale project. They will be supported by a world class design team including Halcrow Group, Cowi A/S, (incorporating Flint and Neill partnership) and WA Fairhurst and Partners.

Funded by Transport Scotland, the 2.7km Forth Replacement Crossing will be located to the west of the existing Forth Road Bridge and will provide a new high quality dual carriageway crossing of the Firth of Forth along with associated approach roads, junction improvements and an intelligent transport control system.

Bob Wilson, Forthspan’s Chairman, said: “We are delighted to formally announce the Forthspan team and how it will address the challenges of this project from a local Scottish base and look to the successful delivery of the new crossing for the people of Scotland.

“The scale of this project requires a very specialist team with an understanding of the local issues and the key stakeholders involved. The Forthspan partners and supply chain have been very carefully selected to provide the best value to Transport Scotland and give the confidence that this scheme can be delivered to time and budget.”

Forthspan was formed in 2007 and quickly selected a world class design team to support it, thereby harnessing the experience of both the design and construction of some of the world’s recent largest cable supported bridges. Together this team has been developing its strategy and approach. 

Morgan Est, BAM Nuttall, Balfour Beatty and VINCI Construction Grands Projets have been instrumental in the delivery of major infrastructure projects in Scotland for many years. The partners have recently completed the Clackmannanshire Bridge over the Forth, the Stirling Alloa Kincardine Railway, Tradeston Bridge in Glasgow, M77/Glasgow Southern Orbital DBFO, A8 Ballieston to Newbridge Major Maintenance, A1 Haddington Expressway, M8 Kingston Bridge Strengthening and A68 Dalkeith Northern Bypass. Projects in which the partners are currently involved include the M74 Completion, Forth Bridge Refurbishment, Airdrie to Bathgate Railway and development work at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. With major experience of projects in and around the Forth Estuary, Forthspan is uniquely placed to understand the needs of the stakeholders in the Forth Replacement Crossing including Transport Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, West Lothian Council, Fife Council, FETA, SEPA, SNH, Forth Ports plc and the Rosyth Naval Dockyard.

The team’s combined strengths include bridge building, marine works, in-house design capability in long span bridges and marine foundations as well as major road construction and a strong local presence. Support will be provided by Forthspan’s in-house businesses including BAM Ritchies, Freyssinet, Bachy Soletanche and Stent.  Through VINCI Construction Grands Projets and BAM Nuttall the team add further international experience in the construction of major cable stayed bridges including the Rion Antirion Bridge in Greece, the Second Severn Crossing in the UK, the Tagus Bridge in Portugal and also the major marine capability of BAM Group in the Netherlands.

Wilson added: “We believe Forthspan represents the best in the construction industry in terms of the realisation of this scheme. We clearly understand Transport Scotland’s objectives, processes and needs.”

Forthspan has established offices in Edinburgh from where the team will participate in Transport Scotland’s procurement process, which has recently commenced.

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