New Forth Bridge?

[paulusthegnome]

A short announcement on a U.S. railroading contractor's site caught my attention today.
It mentions bidding for a new road & rail bridge crossing to replace the existing Forth road bridge.

This is the first I've heard of a joint road/rail bridge at this location.

Does anyone know if this is a serious proposal?

P

 

[route:oxford]

A link would be very useful.

A new bridge would return the number of Forth rail crossings to the same level as the mid 20th century, albeit the Aberfoyle & Strathkendrick Forth bridge was re-built last year for walkers and cyclists rather than rail.

 

[matchmaker]

Work on the "Forth Replacement Crossing" should start shortly. It is to replace the Forth Road Bridge which has serious corrosion problems in the cables. There is no rail element - the existing Forth (rail) Bridge is good for many years still.

 

[flymo]

Some info from the BBC in 2007.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7152186.stm

and the Forth Bridges Visitor Centre trust

http://www.forthbridges.org.uk/news.htm

 

[142094]

Remember reading in The Scotsman earlier in the year there was a big hoo-ha about the name, not exactly imaginative.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The Contract is awarded to a consortium of Hochtief, Morrison Construction, American Bridge and Dragados.

More here (including an animated 'fly through' : http://www.thethirdbridge.org.uk/forth-replacement-crossing/new-forth-bridge-youtube-videos
And here, from Transport Scotland :- http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/forth-replacement-crossing

 

[silentone]

Part of the original consultation into building a new bridge suggested the government should look at creating a large fit-for-all bridge which would include road/tram lines on one level and rail (possibly High Speed rail) below. This was thought to be a good idea although too costly and eventually cost and a lack of time would mean the actual bridge would feature road only.

At the time of all this they were concerned the current Forth Road bridge would not be safe for traffic and a larger scale project to replace it could take longer to create & build, meaning the original road bridge would have to close before the new bridge opened.

 

[lancastrian]

Well, why am I not supprised that they need to build a new Forth Road Bridge. I remember returning from holiday in the early 60's from the Aberdeen area and crossed the Forth by using the Queensferry. We could see them building the road bridge, with the well designed and built rail bridge in the background. WOW those Victorians could certianly design and build bridges THAT LAST! I would not be supprised that I could see them having to build a third road bridge before I die, based on the way mordern designs and building techniques, seem to be less than stella.

 

[BestWestern]

Wow, the cost is measured in billions.... Once upon a time (not that long ago) that sort of money would have bought a country or two. Now it gets you a bridge. With the endlessly increasing costs of any kind of major engineering projects at the moment, industrial construction is clearly the place to be. Seems it really is time for the world to stop for a moment and take a reality check!