Shortlisted consultants are still waiting to be informed of the results for the design competition for the double-decking of Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, more than one year after proposals were submitted to the emirate’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

The large-scale infrastructure project is one of the most ambitious in the emirate and could cost more than AED10bn ($2.7bn) to build.

The RTA shortlisted three consultants in July. They are:

• Aecom (US)
• KEO International Consultants (local office)
• Parsons International (US)

The RTA received bids for the design competition in April, after inviting firms to take part in January. The first prize is AED1m, second is AED750,000 and third prize is AED500,000.

The scheme aims to alleviate congestion on Sheikh Zayed Road, which, as the main highway through Dubai, frequently experiences heavy traffic for up to 10 hours a day.

The study comprises two main parts. The first is a feasibility study for the double-decking of Sheikh Zayed Road, which will run from the Dubai creek area and Sheikh Rashid Road all the way through to Jebel Ali Port – a distance of up to 35 kilometres. The second part of the competition involves submitting a fee for the design and construction supervision of the new elevated roadway.

It is understood the elevated roadway will be for long-distance traffic travelling across the emirate and the number of entry and exit ramps will be limited. It could be delivered using private finance if tolls are charged for using the road.

Dubai already operates a toll system, known as Salik, on Sheikh Zayed Road and other key roads and bridges across the emirate. Part of the study involves exploring various financing options, including bank loans and traditional forms of equity, public-private partnerships (PPPs), build-operate-transfer (BOT), and the initial public offering (IPO) of a project/operating company.

Consultants are also competing for the design of the Shindagha corridor scheme.

The project involves designing a new bridge across the entrance to the Dubai Creek, as well as road infrastructure, including a series of interchanges in Deira and Bur Dubai. Two proposals will be required for the bridge: a standard crossing; and an iconic structure. Firms participating in the tender expect the RTA to choose the iconic structure option.

A new Shindagha crossing has been designed before. In 2006, the RTA appointed Canada’s Cansult, now part of the US’ Aecom, to design two bridges crossing the creek, including one at Shindagha.

The RTA was planning to move forward with the construction of the new Ittihad Bridge, which will replace the existing Floating Bridge. It received expressions of interest (EoIs) from contractors last year and was due to hold a pre-bid meeting in January this year, but the meeting was cancelled.

The 2.7km-long crossing will be 22-52 metres wide and will extend beyond Al-Riyadh Road on the Bur Dubai side of the creek, and up to the Dubai-Sharjah Road on the Deira side. The main creek crossing will be a 420-metre-long span supporting 12 lanes of traffic. The bridge will be built in segments and will have a decorative steel arch. The consultant is the US’ Parsons.