Martin spearheads Queensferry Crossing completion

The Queensferry Crossing, the new bridge over the Firth of Forth under construction. Picture: Ian Rutherford

VETERAN Scottish bridge builder Michael Martin has been appointed to spearhead the completion of the £1.4 billion Queensferry Crossing.

Mr Martin has become project director for the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors consortium, succeeding Carlo Germani, who has left for another job.

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Mr Martin, 61, has represented Scottish member Morrison Construction on the consortium’s board for the last two years.

The Carlisle-born construction chief has 40 years of engineering experience, including as chief engineer for the building of both the Dornoch Bridge, and Kylesku Bridge in Sutherland.

He has also worked on the Kessock Bridge in Inverness, masterminded an unsuccessful bid for the Skye Bridge, but successfully bid to build Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The Queensferry Crossing, which will replace the Forth Road Bridge, is due to be completed at the end of 2016.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency, which is in charge of the project, said: “After three and a half years, Carlo Germani has made a hugely significant contribution to the successful delivery of the project to date.

“We look forward to working closely with his successor Michael Martin as we move into the final two years of construction.

“The project remains on schedule and under budget.”

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