Dubai invites Garhoud bridge bids

11 November 2005
Dubai Municipality has invited companies to bid by 4 December for the latest bridge project across the creek. The new Garhoud bridge is one of four new bridges planned by the municipality to ease severe congestion in the area. A number of new entrants are expected to price the $150 million-200 million project in addition to established players such as the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), the local/Cypriot J&P National Wheel, and the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct.

The project involves the construction of two 520 metre-long single-span bridge decks crossing the creek to the east of the existing Garhoud bridge, which will be demolished once the new crossing is complete. The new bridge will be a seven-lane dual-carriageway and will provide 15 metres of clearance for vessels on the creek. The UK's Halcrow is the design consultant.

Two other new bridges across the creek are also at the planning stage. The first bridge will link Wellness Village and the Seven Pearls projects, being developed by Dubai Properties (DP)as part of La Ville Contemporaire. A second new crossing, located near the Sheraton Hotel, is also planned between Maktoum bridge and the Shindagha tunnel. A third, the Ras al-Khor crossing, is under construction by Bel Hasa Six Construct (MEED 14:10:05).

The new Garhoud crossing is expected to be one of the first major projects to come under the responsibility of the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority, created on 1 November to plan and implement transport projects in Dubai and overseas.

The body, headed by Dubai Crown Prince and Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, will be funded by allocations from the government budget and income from transport fees, service allowances and grants (MEED 4:11:05).

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