The five bidders are: Japan's Taisei Corporation; the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty, with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC); the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct; Germany's Bilfinger & Berger; and Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction (Overseas). An award is expected early in the third quarter. The client is Dubai-based property developer Nakheel.

The estimated $100 million design and build contract calls for the construction of an 800-metre-long tunnel, with three lanes for traffic and two for pedestrians in each direction. Construction is due to take about 18 months. An award is also pending from Nakheel on a contract to build two east-west service tunnels connecting the fronds of the Palm to the crescent (MEED 26:3:04).