Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has extended the tender closing date for the contract to build a road bridge and canal as part of the first phase of the AED1.5bn-2.5bn ($409m-681m) extension of Dubai Creek to 8 April.

The previous closing date was 5 March, which was moved from the original deadline of 4 February.

The prequalified contractors are:

• Afcons (India)
• Al-Naboodah Contracting (local)/Bel Hasa 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 has been split into two parts. Section 1a involves building a bridge that will take traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road across the proposed creek extension. Section 1b covers the excavation and marine work for a stretch of the waterway running from Business Bay running past Safa Park and leading towards Al-Wasl Road.

The consultant is US-based Parsons International.

Later packages on the scheme will be tendered later in February or March. They 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.