Major Blackfriars package contract out to tender

Three specialist steelwork firms are vying for one of the largest package contracts on the £275m overhaul of Blackfriars station,a £30m job to replace the bridge decking.

The job, which has just gone out to tender, involves 9,000t of steel. It is thought to have attracted Cleveland Bridge, Watson Steel and William Hare.

A winner is expected to be named in early summer.

The same firms are pricing a smaller deal to build canopies for the platforms. One source said: "Those are worth just a few million. The decking is the big one."

Main contractor Balfour Beatty is overseeing the work at the overland station - part of the £5.5bn upgrade of the Brighton to Bedford Thameslink route - as well as rebuilding the bridge which crosses the river Thames below.

The revamped station will span the river with station entrances on both banks, meaning the station will be able to handle 12-car carriages for the first time.

The Thameslink station will remain open while the work is carried out. The work is expected to last 15 months.

As well as building the new station over the river, the existing station will be revamped along with the underground station below. The entire scheme is due to be completed at the end of 2011.

Cleveland Bridge and Watson will find out in the summer who has won the £10m deal to carry out steel work on Borough Viaduct, also on the Thameslink route. Welsh contractor Fairfield-Mabey is pricing the job as well.

Skanska is the main contractor on the £63m scheme to carry trains over the Borough area of the capital.