The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) is expected to award the main construction contract for its Duqm Airport Southwards to Ras Markaz Dual Carriageway project in the first quarter of 2023, according to a source.

“The bid evaluation for the main construction contract is still ongoing and the contract is now expected to be awarded by end of January 2023. The commercial bid submission date was 29 December 2021, which was extended to 8 June 2022,” a source aware of the details told Zawya Projects.

The financial bidders are Oman Gulf Company ($176.46 million), Galfar Engineering and Contracting ($153.65 million), Consolidated Contractors Company Oman ($195.55 million), Strabag Oman ($149.63 million), officials from three companies confirmed.

Abu Hatim Co and Sarooj Construction Company have also submitted the financial bid documents but didn’t share the bid value.

Twelve companies had submitted technical bids for the project.

The scope of work includes the construction of a 51-kilometre all-weather road from Duqm Airport roundabout to OTTCO crude oil facility at Ras Markaz.

Major scope of work entails construction of 42.702km dual carriageway with two lanes of 3.75 metres width each, 2.5km dual carriageway with two lanes of 3.65 metre width each and 5.99Km single carriageway with one lane of 3.5 metre width in each direction.

The construction tender also includes street lighting and Public Lighting Management and Control System for all roads, eight roundabouts, drainage structures, embankment protection.

The total construction time is 910 calendar days, a second source told Zawya Projects, adding that it is slated for completion in fourth quarter of 2025.

(Reporting by Senthil Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@lseg.com)