Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has received bids from companies for the contract to build the Union Museum at Dubai’s Union House.

The RTA approved the final design and main components of the Union Museum last year. The design of the museum, awarded to the UK’s Halcrow, which is now part of US-based CH2M Hill, was inspired by portraits of the UAE’s rulers signing the constitution of the UAE on 2 December 1971.

The scheme is one of several cultural projects being developed by the RTA. Last year, it signed an AED184m ($50m) deal with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to transform six of the emirate’s metro stations into art museums.

Other cultural projects include the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District that is being developed Local developer Emaar Properties. In late 2013 it awarded Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) the estimated AED700m construction contract.

The 2,000-seat venue will be built in Emaar’s Downtown Dubai development. In addition to the opera house, the local develop plans to build new hotels, studios and leisure facilities in the area. The consultant is the UK-based Atkins.

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