Tenders for the $70 million corridor improvement package of the World Bank-financed project are currently being evaluated by the client, the Council for Development and Reconstruction.

The six prequalified consultants are: Parsons Brinckerhoffof the US; the local Khatib & Alami; ACE Engineering of Jordan; Saudi Consulting Serviceswith the local Team International; France's Thales with Saudi Arabia's Etec; and Mott MacDonaldof the UK with the local Dar al-Handasah (Nazih Taleb & Partners). The corridor improvement package includes the construction of flyovers, bridges and junctions.

Meanwhile, more teams of consultants are finalising bids for the second package of the project. Tenders are due to be submitted for the $30 million traffic management and on-street parking package by the middle of March.

The six consultants invited to bid include the UK's Halcrowwith ACE Engineering; Gibb, also of the UK, with the local Rafik Khoury; Parsons Brinckerhoff; Thales with Etec; Canada's IBIwith Team International and Chance Managementof the US; and a French team of BCEOM and Sareco.

The BUTP comes as Lebanon is witnessing a construction boom largely on the back of Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti-backed hotel development.