Oman’s Transport and Communications Ministry (MOTC) has opened financial bids for the consultancy contract for Package 7 of the $2.7bn Batinah Expressway project.

Ten local and international firms submitted bids for the contract.

The bidders and prices are:

• Rina International Engineering & Consultancy (local): $3.46m
• Al-Abraj Consulting (local): $3.89m
• Al-Manarah Engineering Consultancy (local): $4.40
• Sering International (Italy): $5.75m
• Conser & Partners (local): $6.05m
• Renardet SA & Partners (Switzerland/local): $6.23m
• Botek Partners Engineering (local): $7.93m
• Hill International (US): $8.41m
• Dar al-Handasah (Lebanon): $9.98m
• Parsons (US): $3.91m (option 1); $10.07m (main)

The ministry opened the financial bids for the main construction contract for Package 7 in February.

The bidders and prices are:

• Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting (UAE): $205m
• Strabag Oman (Austria / Oman): $256m
• Galfar Engineering & Contracting (local): $306m

In addition to the construction of the expressway’s section 7, the scope of works covers the construction of two link roads (4 and 4A), and the design and construction of interchanges, culverts and other associated facilities.

The Batinah Expressway  project involves the construction of 265 kilometres of new road. The scheme is expected to improve the northern road link into Muscat from the UAE, providing an alternative to the existing congested Batinah Highway.

The expressway is being constructed under 11 major contracts, with the first six awarded between 2012 and 2015.

These six packages cover the 265km road and are each between 40 and 50km. The first $361m package went to Galfar Engineering in April 2012. India’s Simplex Infrastructures won a 42.5km package (section 3), worth $318m and running from Al-Khabourah to Saham, in April 2013. Larsen & Toubro, also of India, picked up the $352m package for the 50km section (section 4) between Saham and Liwa in July 2013.

In December 2014, India’s Nagarjuna Construction Company won the section for Suwaiq to Shinas (section 2), worth $370m. Other major contractors that have won packages include Lebabon-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), and a joint venture of local firm Federici Stirling Batco and Spain’s Ferrovial.

According to MEED Projects data, construction works have been completed for sections 1, 4, 5 and 6, while sections 2 and 3 are still under execution.