The local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty has started work on the Al-Qudra road expansion project in Dubai.

The estimated AED65m ($17.7m) contract involves widening 24 kilometres of road between Arabian Ranches and the Bab al-Shams resort. The works are due to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

Once complete, the road will comprise three lanes in each direction. The widening will also include building a new bridge over the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road. The bridge will include a lane for a cycling track.

The client is Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA).

The RTA is moving forward with several new road schemes in Dubai. On 28 January, it received bids for a contract to build an access bridge to the Bluewaters Island development, close to Dubai’s Marina area. The local/Australian Habtoor Leighton Group is the low bidder.