Leighton scores Saadiyat link-up road

Leighton International has been named as the preferred contractor on a US $550 million ($2 billion) road package in Abu Dhabi.

The project, for Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), involves the construction of a 6.5km highway, comprising five lanes in each direction.

The highway will link Abu Dhabi city with Saadiyat Island, offshore the UAE capital.

David Savage, managing director, Leighton International, said: "This is just one of many such projects around this region, and will be delivered under an alliance-style arrangement. The development in the region in general, and Abu Dhabi in particular, is unprecedented in its scale and the opportunities for us here are extensive.

"On Saadiyat Island alone there will be further opportunities of a similar nature and size. We're confident that our success on this project will lead to a long pipeline of work for TDIC."

The 6.5km highway will have 10 lanes and associated side roads, six bridges with a total deck length of 1.6km, an 870m tunnel, 10.7km of stormwater drainage, 22.3km of sewerage systems, a 30km potable water network and various mechanical and electrical works.

Construction is due for completion in September 2009.