Dubai Municipality has invited contractors to prequalify for three major packages on a planned deep-tunnel stormwater network project in the Jebel Ali area of the emirate.

The stormwater system, which will cost more than AED2bn ($544m) to build, will collect rain and surface water in deep tunnels and then discharge it into the sea.

Contractors have been invited to prequalify for the three main packages by 28 February.

The stormwater tunnel network has been identified as a key project to prevent any future flooding of Al-Maktoum International airport and the surrounding area, which will include the Expo 2020 site.

The stormwater network is one of three major deep-tunnel projects Dubai Municipality is planning to undertake.

The project owner is preparing to develop two major deep-tunnel sewer networks in the Deira and Bur Dubai areas of the emirate, which will be similar to the under-construction strategic tunnel enhancement programme (STEP) project in neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

MEED reported in November 2015 that Dubai Municipality had received bids for two major consultancy contracts for the planned deep-tunnel sewer networks in Deira and Bur Dubai.

According to sources close to the scheme, the US’ Parsons submitted the lowest price for the consultancy deals.

The companies that submitted bids are:

• Parsons (US)
• Arcadis (Netherlands)
• Aecom (US)
• Dar al-Handasah (Lebanon)
• CH2M Hill (US)
• Italconsult (Italy)

For the first contract, the municipality is seeking to appoint a consultant to provide supervision services for the planned 26-kilometre long tunnel in Deira. For the second contract, the appointed consultant will assist with the development of a 56km-long deep-tunnel sewer in Bur Dubai.