A CONSORTIUM made up of Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Est and VINCI Construction have bid for the contract to build the Forth Replacement Crossing.

The group known as Forthspan have opened an office in Edinburgh after responding to Transport Scotland’s tender announcement for the job last month, worth between £900m and £1.2bn.

Formed in 2007, the partnership companies already have experience working together on many similar projects in the UK and around the world.

In addition to bridge building, their combined capabilities include marine works, specialised design and major road construction.

Design consultants Halcrow, Cowi and WA Fairhurst and Partners have been brought on board to support the contractors.

Forthspan chairman Bob Wilson 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.”

All four members of Forthspan were involved in building the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway link, as well as various motorway, bypass and airport projects across Scotland.

VINCI Construction bring previous experience in major cable stayed bridges including the Second Severn Crossing in the UK, the Rion Antirion Bridge in Greece and the Tagus Bridge in Portugal.

Balfour Beatty focus on supplying engineering, construction and service skills for rail, road and power systems, buildings and complex structures.

BAM Nuttal is a construction provider of engineering solutions for rail, roads, maritime, water, and land remediation.

And Morgan Est specialises in the areas of tunnelling, utilities, civil engineering and mechanical and electrical services.

The Forth crossing will be 2.7km in length, situated to the west of the existing Forth Road Bridge and will include dual carriageway, approach roads, junction improvements and an intelligent transport control system.

It will be the largest new bridge to be built in the UK for 20 years, with the project expected to cost between £1.7 billion and £2.3 billion as a whole.

The Scottish Government must pass a parliamentary bill, scheduled to be introduced before the end of this year, before any work can begin.