International contractors hoping to bid for the first major construction package on the extension of Dubai Creek failed to prequalify for the contract because they did not have a local asphalt plant.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is preparing to issue tender documents for the first major construction package on the extension of Dubai Creek and is understood to have prequalified at least seven companies. All of them have completed major road projects in the emirate in recent years and have their own asphalt plants. The firms include:

• Al-Naboodah Contracting (local)
• Belhasa Six Construction (local/Belgium)
• China State Construction Engineering Corporation (China)
• Dutco Balfour Beatty (local/UK)
• Gunal (Turkey)
• National Wheel J&P (local/Cyprus)
• Wade Adams (local)

The contract involves building a bridge that will take traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road across the proposed creek extension and excavation and marine work for a stretch of the waterway running past Safa Park leading toward Al-Wasl Road. It is understood that the RTA has held preliminary talks with potential bidders and plans to issue tender documents in mid-December. The consultant is US-based Parsons International.

Later packages on the scheme will involve bridges crossing Al-Wasl Road and Beach Road and excavation and other marine works leading out to the Gulf. Once complete, the extension will connect Business Bay to the Gulf. In addition to crossing Sheikh Zayed Road, the waterway will also cross Al-Wasl Road and Beach Road before entering the sea.