Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works is currently reviewing bids for three major road projects valued collectively at $1.7bn.

The first scheme, the smallest of the three in terms of estimated budget, is for the construction of an 18-kilometre road, interchanges and pedestrian bridges among others, on the 6.5 ring road.

The bidders are:

• Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based): $710m
• China First Highway Engineering (China) / Combined Group Contracting (local): $600m
• Arab Contractors Osman Ahmed Osman (Egypt) / Arab Kuwait Contractors (local): $559m

The second project comprises a 110km road, interchanges, rail crossings and associated facilities for the northern regional road extending from the 6^th ring road to intersection 82.

The companies bidding for this project are:

• Sinohydro Corporation (China) / Copri Construction Projects (local): $623m
• Arab Contractors Osman Ahmed Osman (Egypt) / Arab Kuwait Contractors (local): $611m
• Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based): $599m
• China State Construction Engineering Corporation / Al-Roumi Trading & Contracting: $518m
• China First Highway Engineering / Combined Group Contracting (local):$499m
• Metallurgical Corporation of China / Khalid Ali al-Kharafi and Bros. Construction Contracting (local) $494m

The final project is for the upgrade of Nawaseeb road, or route 40, which calls for the construction of a six-lane, 37km road as well as interchanges, traffic control and signalling systems, and associated facilities.

Contractors that are bidding for the project are:

• Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based): $710m  
• China First Highway Engineering (China) / Combined Group Contracting (local): $600m
• Arab Contractors Osman Ahmed Osman (Egypt) / Arab Kuwait Contractors (local): $559m

All projects are expected to be awarded before the end of 2015. These schemes align with Kuwait’s renewed focus to upgrade its infrastructure and address growing traffic congestion issues and travel time delays, particularly in roads controlled by traffic signal installations.