A search has been launched for partners to build a replacement for the ageing Swing Bridge.

Submissions were invited via a government request for proposals published last Wednesday to deliver the long-planned new structure — to be erected to the east of the original, which is now more than 60 years old.

On the same date, the Government published a Request for Information seeking parties interested in working as trade specialists during the construction process.

A budget of $9.4 million has been allocated for the new bridge, which links St George’s and St David’s islands.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and the Environment, said earlier this month that work would be carried out on detour routes in preparation for the project.

The recent RFP sought “suitable qualified and experienced parties” to build the new bridge.

Documents included with the request said: “The scope of the project includes realignment of the roundabout south of the bridge, demolition of the existing Swing Bridge after completion, training for bridge operators and maintenance personnel, and bridge maintenance for a period of two years.”

The RFP also specified that the project team “must be competent in bridge construction of similar complexity” and have experience in similar jurisdictions, islands or remote environments.

Meanwhile, the RFI sought expressions of interest from a raft of different types of tradespeople including general contractors, marine contractors, welders, electricians, barge owners, concrete suppliers, land surveyors and environmental consultants.

A pre-bid site visit for the RFP is scheduled to take place on May 8 with the submission for deadlines set for 3pm on July 15.

The submission deadline for the RFI was set for April 22 at 3pm.

The Swing Bridge was erected in 1964 but has suffered from the effects of corrosion in decades since.

Major repairs were carried out on the structure in 2002 and 2007 but the bridge is considered to be beyond economic repair.

The new hydraulically operated lift bridge — expected to take up to three years to build — would allow a clearance of 13.6 feet for boats at high tide, as opposed to the 10ft clearance offered by the Swing Bridge.