Nine companies have been prequalified for the work, which is estimated to be worth in excess of $150 million, by the Works & Housing Ministry.

The prequalifiers are understood to include Belgium's Six Construct, Interbetonof the Netherlands, Bouygues and Vinci, both of France, Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction (Overseas) and India's Gammon. The Danish/local COWI-Almoayedis the consultant.

The project calls for the construction of two new concrete bridges with lengths of 200 metres and 400 metres, and embankments with a total length of 2.4 kilometres, adjacent to the existing causeway. The road will initially be widened to three lanes in each direction, with the possibility of a future expansion to four.