Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry is pressing ahead with plans to upgrade its road infrastructure by tendering several road and drainage projects.

The ministry has invited contractors to submit bids for construction packages on four major road projects in Kuwait, ranging in value from KD40-65m ($144-235m). The submission date for all four packages is 3 July.

The largest construction package tendered is for the contract to build expressway roads and intersections for the Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed town development. The ministry has prequalified 13 local contractors for the projects.

The same 13 contractors have also been invited to submit proposals for the project to build roads, bridges and sanitary and drainage systems for the second ring road and Damascus road in Kuwait City.

The third package tendered is for the construction of roads, bridges and drainage networks for the third ring road. The ministry has also tendered a package for the construction of roads and intersections on the western part of Jamal Abdul Nasser street.

In addition to the construction packages, the ministry has tendered a design and construction supervision contract. The work will involve upgrading roads within the South Surra area. Prequalified consultants have until 6 July to submit financial and technical proposals.

The projects are part of the Public Work Ministry’s plans to spend $11.5bn over the next four years to develop the country’s infrastructure.

The Public Works Ministry is also expected to tender the main construction package on the estimated $575m Nawaseeb road before the end of the year.

The ministry was expected to tender the road project in February, but the tender has been delayed. In 2008, the ministry appointed the US-based Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) to provide design and construction management services for the project.

The work will involve upgrading the current Nawaseeb road into a six-lane divided highway, with five interchanges and grade separated U-turns. The Nawaseeb road, also known as Route 40, links Kuwait with Saudi Arabia and is a major trade crossing between the two states.

In December last year, the Public Works Ministry awarded a $840m contract to a consortium of the local Boodai Construction Company, Italy’s Rizzani de Eccher, Spain’s OHL and Italy’s Trevi Group to build a road and related infrastructure in the West Shuwaikh area of Kuwait.

The work involves the construction of an elevated 11-kilometre-long road, with linked roads, paths and rainwater drainage systems at Gamal Abdel Nasser street (MEED 10:12:10).