The UAE’s Infrastructure Development Ministry (MOID) has invited contractors by 29 March to tender for a contract to build a 42km extension of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road on E84, part of the road network that links Dubai with Fujairah.

The project entails the construction of a 33km road and several flyovers and bridges.

Apart from proposing technical and engineering legislation for federal infrastructure projects, the MOID is responsible for the establishment, management and operation of the road network linking the UAE’s seven emirates.

Infrastructure Development Minister Belhaif Al-Nuaimi, who also serves as chairman of the UAE Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime, said in early March that the Vision 2021 is pushing everyone in the UAE to look into the role of land transport.

Al-Nuaimi said all the planned four phases of Etihad Rail will be completed in line with the country’s strategic plan in the era after oil. The procurement process for Stage 2 of Etihad Rail has been put on hold in early 2016. It is understood that there are plans to revive the procurement process although a new timeline has yet to be confirmed.

Al-Nuaimi said the government is looking at strengthening the role of the private sector including in delivering the country’s infrastructure projects.