Network Rail has started the search for a partner to design and deliver its planned Forth Bridge Experience, which aims to open the iconic rail bridge up as a tourist attraction.
According to the documents published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the overall work is valued at £35M but is split into two phases.
The experience is expected to be formed by a visitor centre located at the base of the Fife Tower on the north shore of the estuary, a public viewing platform at the top of the Fife Tower accessed by hoists from the visitor centre and a bridge walk experience on the southern end of the bridge, accessed from South Queensferry.
Network Rail has said that it wants to do more to mark the Forth Bridge’s World Heritage Site status. The rail operator describes its plans for the bridge walk to be similar to those offered by the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia where groups of 12 to 15 people will be equipped with safety harnesses and led out from the South Queensferry side of the estuary onto the south cantilever, walking up to the view point at the top.
The £35M scheme has been split into two parts. Option one – valued at £11M to £14M – is focused on the south side of the bridge and includes a visitor reception and briefing building plus bridge stairways, walkways and viewing platforms. The second option is for the £20M design and build phase two of the project with a visitor centre located at the base of the Fife Tower on the north shore of the estuary and a public viewing platform at the top of the Fife Tower. The second phase of the work is expected to be completed by 2025.
Bids to get onto the procurement list for the work have to be submitted by 3 August and Network Rail has said that it expects to notify the four firms through to the next round of negotiations by 24 August.
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