Three in line for £200m Scottish PPP roads deal

contract news
Three groups are gearing up to pitch for a £200m PPP roads deal north of the border. Transport Scotland's project to upgrade the M80, one of the country's most heavily used routes, has attracted the Connect M80, M80 Link and Highway Management consortia.

Connect is 100% owned by Balfour Beatty. The second contender is a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine and Galliford Try. Highway Management is made up of German firm Bilfinger Berger, plus two outfits from Northern Ireland - John Graham and Northstone.

A preferred bidder is expected to surface next spring, with work on site planned to start before the end of 2008. Construction is due to be completed in 2011, with the winning team then looking after the road for a period of 30 years. It is not yet clear whether the client intends to go straight to appointing a preferred bidder or first going through a best and final offer stage.