VSL-AST wins Hodariyat Island bridge contract

The construction contract for the Hodariyat Island Bridge in Abu Dhabi has been awarded to VSL Middle East and AST, Construction Week has learned.

The bridge will be the first stay cable bridge to be constructed in the UAE and will link Abu Dhabi to Hodariyat Island, which is currently separated by a water channel around 1000m-wide.

In a joint venture with UAE-based AST, VSL, a post-tensioning and structural strengthening company started the construction in October.

The bridge will be 1.3km-long, having a central span 200m wide, with the stay pylons extending some 40m above the deck level

“Stay cable bridges are very suitable for traversing wide rivers or large bodies of water,” says VSL deputy general manager Stephen Burke.

“In the case of the Hodariyat Bridge the stay cable is a good solution both technically and aesthetically due to the fact that there is a wide maritime navigation channel to cross.”

The development is the largest single project to be awarded to VSL, whose role will be the main contractor.

VSL-AST is mobilised to site and initial operations are underway such as soil investigation and site installations.