A WORLD-FAMOUS bridge builder is working on a record- breaking contract, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Cleveland Bridge is making the longest steel bridge girder structures in its 150-year history for a Scottish transport project.

The contract is yet another fillip for the Darlington-based business, which last year reported its first profit in four years and has secured a catalogue of lucrative contracts.

Bosses say its Scottish deal encompasses seven paired 50-metre girders, with the first two pairs already completed.

The giant supports will help create the Charleston Junction Underbridge, in Aberdeen, and are six metres longer than Cleveland Bridge’s previous record steel structure.

The remaining five paired girders are expected to be finished and transported to Scotland early next month.

Chris Droogan, managing director, said: “Fabricating and delivering this recordbreaking steel girder demonstrates the significant capacity and capabilities we have.

“It is another highlight to add to our distinctive history and emphasises the continued role we are playing in delivering Britain’s evolving infrastructure requirements.

“We are proud to be part of this vital road and bridge project, which is supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving transport.”

The endeavour is being delivered by agency Transport Scotland and Mr Droogan added the contract is one of eight structures Cleveland Bridge has been commissioned to supply for the scheme, which extends to 58km and is understood to be the longest road construction project underway in the UK.

To date, Cleveland Bridge has made, delivered and installed four bridges.

The remaining four, including the Charleston Junction Underbridge, are due to be installed later this year.

Since its inception, Cleveland Bridge has built some of the world’s most iconic structures.

The group was involved in erecting the Victoria Falls Bridge, which spans the River Zambesi, in Southern Africa, and in 1911 designed Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge.

It has also supplied bridges for the A1 project, which is widening the route between Barton and Leeming, in North Yorkshire, and the Echo previously revealed how the company would make further crossings for Sri Lankan jungle and rural areas.

That deal followed a £35m agreement, which contracted the business to produce more than 200 structures for the Asian country.

Such work helped the business record profits of £2.5m for the year to December 31 2015, which countered previous losses when its former regime was hit by issues on a significant contract. Its next financial update is expected in the coming weeks.