Aberdeen bypass bidders confirmed

Transport Scotland has drawn up a shortlist of construction firms that are bidding for the £745 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty road scheme.  

A funding agreement has been reached for the scheme, with the Scottish Government confirming its 81% share of the £745 million costs.

Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council’s 9.5% share will be capped at £75 million each.

Transport Scotland has invited the following consortia to bid for the work:

Granite City: Macquarie Capital: Vialia

North East Roads Partnership: Cintra Infrastructures SA; Bilfinger Project Investments GmbH

Scotia Roads Group: BAM PPP; Costain; Iridium; Sir Robert McAlpine Capita

Connect Roads: Balfour Beatty Investments; Carillion Private Finance; Galliford Try

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “The benefits of the AWPR and Balmedie are clear, with the scheme expected to deliver 14,200 jobs in the north east and boosting the economy to the tune of £6 billion over the next 30 years. After years of delay, we should not underplay the need to ensure the pace in delivering this vital project continues.

“These two latest developments are great news for everyone involved in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. They clearly demonstrate the welcome progress made, in a relatively short period of time, since the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal last October.

“The industry day held in January this year received high interest from some of the world’s leading construction companies with over 150 delegates from 60 different organisations.

“The AWPR will improve journey times, reduce congestion and help open up wider markets for the regionally and nationally important economy of the north-east delivering benefits of both local and national importance.”

Work is expected to start in 2014, with construction due for completion in 2018.