The State Highways Directorate (KGM) has invited the original bidders for the Izmit Bay crossing project to resubmit their bids by 30 November.

Earlier efforts to carry out the estimated $1,800 million project were blocked by legal obstacles. However, these obstacles have been removed following changes to the constitution in 1999 and the early-2000 passage of a new international arbitration law (MEED 4:2:00).

Three consortia took part in the original tender in 1997 (MEED 16:5:97). A team of UKbased, Japanese and local contractors was declared the preferred bidder. The consortium is understood to have questioned KGM's decision to reopen the tender.

The build-operate-transfer (BOT) project will link Gebze on the Izmit Bay with Orhangazi near Bursa. The work includes building a 2,808-metre suspension bridge with approach viaducts, and more than 40 kilometres of three-lane highway.

The Izmit Bay bidders

The AJT consortium: UK/ Norwegian Kvaerner Construction, the local Enka Insaat, and Marubeni Corporation, Itochu Corporat ion , IshikawajimaHarima Heavy Industries (IHI), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NKK Corporation, all of Japan The BV consortium: France's Bouygues and the local Vinsan The IBKO consortium: the local Tekfen and Dogus, with France's Campenon Bernard and Trans route International, Italy's Impregilo, Germany's Bilfinger & Berger and Spain's Dragados & Construcciones