Diyar al-Muharraq development to relaunch in June

20 March 2008
Bahrain's multi-billion-dollar off-shore project, Diyar al-Muharraq, is expected to be relaunched in June, after a revision to the original masterplan.

The development is to be split into four stages, with the first covering 4.8 million square metres and worth BD565m ($1.5bn). When completed, the project is expected to house 200,000 residents. The client is Kuwait Finance House.

The multi-billion-dollar project, located north of Bahrain airport in the Muharraq region of the kingdom, has been in the pipeline for several years but has undergone a series of design changes.

Previously known as the Two Seas project, the development was in the shape of a seahorse. However, land-use opportunities were deemed too limited to make the development viable. The design now is for a main island with five smaller islands, forming a long rectangular shape.

Last month, Hyder won the detailed infrastructure contract including the design and supervision of works. The scope also includes water, electricity and sewerage networks, and internal roads and bridges. The design period is expected to last 18 months, while the supervision element will last a further three to four years.

The US' Great Lakes Dredge & Dock was recently awarded the dredging contract on the first phase of the multi-billion- dollar project, which calls for the dredging of about 80 million cubic metres of material.

Reclamation for the first phase is 40 per cent complete.

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