Olympic team for Forth crossing

The Forth crossing is planned to be near the Forth Road Bridge

The design for the Forth replacement crossing is being worked on by the same firm responsible for the 'Bird's Nest' stadium at the Beijing Olympics 2008.

Engineering firm Arup was also responsible for the world's second longest spanning cable-stayed bridge, Stonecutter's Bridge in Hong Kong.

Jacob the other half of the joint venture, was responsible for the design of the Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Public exhibitions for the Forth crossing are being held on Tuesday.

The new bridge design is expected to have the longest central spans in the world for a multi-span cable-stayed bridge.

This is an exciting project and we and our world class consultants are delighted to be working on it to produce a lasting visual landmark for the Forth John Howison Forth crossing interim project director

It will also be the only long span cable-stay bridge in the world to have central crossed cables.

These provide enhanced stiffness to the bridge structure, minimising the size of the central tower and creating a slim, elegant appearance. The cables will run along the centre of the bridge.

Transport Scotland is taking the Forth crossing exhibition to 12 different venues over two weeks to allow members of the public to view the plans for the crossing.

Engineers and specialists from Transport Scotland and its consultants Jacobs Arup will be on hand to explain the work undertaken during 2008 to develop the strategy for the new crossing over the Forth and answer questions.

It follows the ministerial announcement in December which confirmed that the Forth Replacement Crossing strategy will make use of the existing Forth Road Bridge as a public transport corridor.

The project is to be progressed via a Parliamentary Bill to be introduced towards the end of 2009.

John Howison, Forth crossing interim project director, said: "This is an exciting project and we and our world class consultants are delighted to be working on it to produce a lasting visual landmark for the Forth."

Sebastian Tombs, Architecture and Design Scotland chief executive said: "We are encouraged by the strong vision so far demonstrated by the project team and their aspiration for high design quality.

"We have warmly welcomed the proposed 'mono-tower' design for the new bridge."