Wade wins interchange 5 overhaul

08 July 2005
The local Wade Adams Contractinghas been awarded the contract for the retendered fifth interchange reconstruction project on Sheikh Zayed highway in Dubai. The existing interchange, which links Dubai Marina with Emaar Properties'residential areas of the Lakes, Meadows and Hills, is one of the most congested on the highway.

Wade's offer of AED 262 million ($71 million) was about 5 per cent lower than the next price of AED 274 million ($75 million) submitted by the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct. Five companies submitted revised prices for the 20-month contract. The local/UK Dutco Balfour Beattyhad originally submitted a low bid of AED 277.7 million ($76 million).

The project will see the demolition of the existing entrance to Emirates Hills, to be replaced by a 1,040-metre-long bridge, running from the Hills via the Hard Rock Café and ending near the new Le Meridien Grosvenor House. The project will include 16 bridges, underpasses and ramps. Two of the structures will consist of an eight-lane main dual-carriageway stretching 280 metres in length.

The contract is the latest award in a new round of investments aimed at easing congestion on the highway. The release of tender documents is awaited for the reconstruction of interchange 1 at the Defence roundabout, calling for a three-level interchange giving access to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Burj Dubai. Other tenders are also expected imminently for a new interchange on Palm Jumeirah and infrastructure work at Dubai Sports City and in Dubailand's City of Arabia district.

The consultant is De Leuw Cather International, part of the US' Parsons International; the client is Dubai Municipality (MEED 6:5:05).

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