There was surprise today at news that one of the main contractors behind the huge Forthspan joint venture that had been bidding for the Forth Replacement Crossing in Scotland has now backed away from the project.

Vinci Construction Grands Projets formed a consortium a year ago that also comprised Morgan Sindall, Bam Nuttall and Balfour Beatty.

It has been reported that Danish firm MT Hojgaard has replaced Vinci.

The award of the Forth replacement crossing contract is to be made in spring 2011 and construction is expected to begin later that year.

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The crossing, one of Scotland's largest infrastructure projects, is being planned due to the deteriorating condition of the existing Forth Road Bridge.

The £2bn contract includes design, construction of the main crossing and approaching roads.

The contract will include a 2.7km motorway, a cable-stayed bridge with three mono-towers, trunk road connections, two flyover junctions and signs.

The new crossing is expected to be open to traffic in 2016.

Speaking last year, the then Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The Forth Crossing Bill has just been introduced to parliament and the issuing of the formal invitation to tender demonstrates that delivery of the Forth replacement crossing remains on schedule.

"The long-term future for the existing Forth Road Bridge remains uncertain and it is vital we act now to preserve cross-Forth travel and ensure sustainable economic growth for communities across Scotland continues in the future."

The huge engineering project will see the existing Forth Road Bridge replaced by a cable-stayed bridge.

(BMcC/KMcA)