The local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty has submitted the low bid of AED 564 million ($153 million) for a new junction on Sheikh Zayed highway between interchange 5 and the Gardens/Ibn Battuta mall flyover.

The local/Cypriot National Wheel J&P is the only other bidder with an offer of AED 572 million ($155 million MEED 13:1:06).

The two-year contract involves the construction of a new interchange with at least 10 bridge structures, five of which will cross the highway. Once complete, the interchange will serve Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Jumeirah Islands and the southwestern end of Dubai Marina, all large-scale residential and commercial developments under construction in the area. De Leuw Cather International (DCI), part of the US' Parsons International, is the consultant.

The local Wade Adams Contracting has been awarded an estimated $15 million contract for the construction of a directional ramp at the Wimpey/Al-Futtaim interchange running from Al-Awir road onto Nad al-Hammar road. The scheme will alleviate congestion on Al-Awir road in the Ras al-Khor area. The project is expected to be completed in 10 months.

Bids are due to be submitted on 23 April for the final two packages on the Ras al-Khor crossing project. The first package covers the double decking of Doha road running from Al-Khail road alongside the Burj Dubai development up to the first interchange on Sheikh Zayed highway Defence roundabout. The second contract involves the upgrade of Defence roundabout to a free-flowing junction. The consultant for both schemes is DCI (MEED 24:3:06).

Bids are also due on 23 April for the second package on the Al-Sufouh roads scheme. The scheme involves the improvement of roads in the area leading to Dubai Marina and the construction of two new bridges across the marina. France's MVA Systra is the consultant (MEED 7:4:06).

Bids are due to be submitted on 7 May for two contracts on Emirates road. The first is for the estimated AED 500 million ($136 million) upgrade of Arabian Ranches roundabout. The two-year project involves the construction of a free-flowing interchange with 13 bridges covering an area of 46,130 square metres. The interchange will link Emirates road with Al-Qudra road and Umm Suqeim road.

The second project, representing a retender, is for the widening of Emirates road between Arabian Ranches roundabout and Sharjah. The 35-kilometre-long scheme involves widening the road from three to five lanes in each direction, and the improvement of approach roads. Dutco Balfour Beatty was the only company to submit a price when bids were opened in February. DCI is the consultant for both schemes (MEED 7:4:06).