The main element of the contract, being tendered by the Transport Department, will be managing the development and construction of the metro, but it will also include managing other transport links. "It is the metro, as well as bus routes and water taxis," says one potential bidder.

The potential bidders include Bechtel, Fluor Corporation, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Aecom, all US-based, and Germany's Hochtief.

The metro is Abu Dhabi's largest infrastructure project and could cover several hundred kilometres of metro lines serving Abu Dhabi island and new developments adjacent to the existing city.

The first phase will connect the city's downtown areas with the international airport (MEED 29:5:09). Abu Dhabi will build most of the network underground.

The Abu Dhabi urban masterplan for 2030 includes a metro running through tunnels along Abu Dhabi island to Hamdan street, where it will connect with lines serving Saadiyat island. It will run above ground on Saadiyat island.

In mid-May, the Transport Department received bids for a contract to provide consultancy services on the metro project.

The bidders include a US team of Aecom and Parsons Brinckerhoff, UK-based Atkins with Australia's Bovis Lend Lease, US-based Parsons International with Mott MacDonald and Halcrow of the UK, and France's Systra with UK-based Arup and Denmark's Cowi.