August 29 2007

A new exhibition produced by Transport Scotland on the Forth Replacement Crossing reveals that a cable stayed bridge crossing just to the west of the existing bridge is the consultants preferred option.

A consortium of consultants led Faber Maunsell’s has reviewed the options for tunnels and bridges at five points along the Firth of Forth. The most efficient and cheapest option seems to be a cable stay bridge. Recommendations will be discussed by ministers in the Autumn alongside a report on the public reaction to the possible options and information about the approval process, procurement and funding.

A new Forth Road crossing is necessary to replace the existing bridge, an A-listed structure which was built in 1964 but is suffering from corrosion and will be unable to carry heavy goods vehicles within a few years.

If the Scottish Executive follows these recommendations work on the bridge will begin in 2009 and will take 6 years to construct.

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