The UAE federal government’s Public Works Ministry has cancelled the tender for the estimated AED250m ($68m) contract to build a road intersection in the emirate of Ajman.

According to sources close to the project, the tender has been cancelled to allow the ministry to prepare a revised design for the project. Contractors had been preparing to submit bids on 6 January.

The original scheme involved upgrading and expanding the existing Al-Hamidiya interchange by building two underpasses to link Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed road. The plan also involved construction of a new fly-over providing access between Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed road and Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid road.

The associated construction work included site clearance, installation of a storm water drainage network, the diversion of utilities such as water and power lines, earthwork, pavement work, road lighting, safety barriers, traffic signs and road marking.

US-based Wilbur Smith is the consultant.

The existing Al-Hamidiya interchange was built in 2004 at a cost of AED24m.

In 2008, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan allocated AED16bn for infrastructure projects in the Northern Emirates.

The funds are being spent on improving roads, sewage and drainage systems, and schools and hospitals (MEED 20:12:09).