Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority has invited contractors to bid by 4 February for the first major construction package on the extension of Dubai Creek.

The prequalified contractors are:

• 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)

It is understood that some of the contractors have formed joint ventures with other prequalified firms. One of the conditions for prequalifying was the ownership of a local asphalt plant.

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 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.

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum approved plans to extend the creek in early October. Sources within the Dubai government say that an alternative proposal from Dubai Municipality that would connect Business Bay to the sea using a series of tunnels and pumping station was also considered to circulate the water. The advantage of the creek extension solution is that it will enhance the value of real estate in the area by creating a new waterfront district.

The creek extension project has been planned for several years. In 2007, the RTA appointed a team of US-based Parsons International and the UK’s Halcrow as the engineering consultant for the scheme, and later invited contractors to bid for two construction packages, one covering bridges, the other covering excavation.

The Business Bay canal is an expansion to Dubai Creek that was developed by Business Bay’s master developer, Dubai Properties, between 2005 and 2008. The local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty was the contractor for that work. Halcrow was the consultant.