The estimated $44 million, 30-month contract centres on the decontamination and rehabilitation of an old phosphoric gypsum dumping ground covering an area of about 2.6 million square metres. The scope of works centres on the excavation of about 1.3 million cubic metres of sand below sea level and reclamation of about 6.2 million cubic metres of sand. The government officially gave the green light for the rehabilitation of the Taparura area in March. Under initial proposals, Tunis is hoping to create a new city housing about 22,000 people, tourism resorts with about 4,700 rooms, a three-kilometre beach, municipal buildings, basic infrastructure and shopping areas.