The new budget range for the Forth Replacement Crossing projecct is now US$2.2 billion to US$2.28 billion.
Scotland’s finance secretary John Swinney said that the lower cost is a result of successful management of the project and the delivery of key milestones. “It is very positive news for Scotland to be able to announce that the Scottish Government is further reducing the budget range for the Forth Replacement Crossing project to £1.4 billion to £1.45 billion,” he said. The range had previously been £1.45 billion to £1.6 billion, which equates to US$2.28 billion to US$2.51 billion. He added that 90% of supply orders and nearly 60% of sub contracts have been awarded to 365 Scottish firms and currently around 874 people are currently employed on site.
“While there is no room for complacency, these latest figures also show that Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation is being well managed," he said. "I commend all those involved for their hard work in this success so far, as construction continues on time and under budget.
"We are now two years into the project and progress so far means that £145 million worth of savings have been identified on the project since construction started in June 2011.
“This is further good news for Scotland and is testament to the efficient management and effective delivery of the project by Transport Scotland and its partners at the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors consortium.”
