The gap is bridged

The 1,700-ton, 354 foot long Sam White Bridge will be the longest two-span bridge ever moved in the Western Hemisphere.

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Saudi’s $6.5bn 2011 municipal budget includes 30 bridge projects. This highlights the growing importance of such vital infrastructure.

Saudi’S $6.53billion 2011 municipal budget includes 30 bridge-related projects put out to tender in the first three months of the year. Saudi Arabia is committed to investing heavily in providing world-class infrastructure to serve its growing population.

“The massive infrastructure investment is generating vast interest from international players keen to tap into the opportunities in the Kingdom,” said Chris Corander, divisional director at IQPC, organiser of Bridges Saudi Arabia 2011.

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One of the presentations at this year’s conference focused on the planned Obhur Bridge project in Jeddah, intended to be “recognisable throughout the world as a symbol for a great land focused on prayer and peace.”

There are two main design concepts proposed. The first is a bridge with a 365m-long span and a height of 75m.

This design accommodates eight travel lanes, taking into account the estimated volume of vehicles travelling north and south of Obhur Creek in the next 15 years, which is expected to rise to 37,700 vehicles, with some 12,000 vehicles travelling along the bridge at peak times.

The second design concept is for a single-pylon type bridge at 205m high. Meanwhile the delayed contract for the $82million Umlifaina Bridge, due to be awarded in March, is expected to be delayed by another couple of months, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.

“The contract has not yet been finalised. It might take another month or so. The government wants to take its time.” The project covers construction of two bridges and three smaller crossings that will connect Umlifaina Island, close to Reem Island and Saadiyat Island, with Abu Dhabi.

The deadline for the original tender submission was 26 September 2010, which was extended to mid-October, reported project manager Yasir Al Ani.

A total of 13 contractors were thought to have responded to the initial invitation to bid. The uncertainty dogging the Umlifaina Bridge project followed close on the successful opening of the $226million Mafraq Bridge, also located in Abu Dhabi.

Engineer Abdullah Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi executive director of municipal infrastructure and assets, commented at the time that “the new Al Mafraq Bridge construction and upgrading project is one of the most vitally important projects in Abu Dhabi city that would positively affect the traffic flow in the emirate in general.”