UAE gets $11.3m boost

The UAE's Ministry of Public Works and Housing is working on a number of projects at a cost of Dh41.52 million ($11.3 million).

The projects include building a mosque with a capacity to accommodate 600 people in Ajman at a cost of Dh2.66 million, a comprehensive arts school in Dubai costing Dh34 million and an office block at a cost of Dh4.76 million, a report said.

The ministry is also executing a number of maintenance projects at a cost of Dh2.16 million.

The ministry has built a number of projects at a cost of Dh21.39 million which include a sports centre at a cost of Dh3.79 million, the report said.

It also rebuilt two schools in Ajman at a cost of Dh17.68 million in addition to completing last year a total of 20 maintenance projects for various schools in different areas of Ajman and Dubai at a total cost of Dh8.8 million.

Causeway work to start next year

Manama: Work on the $1.5 billion Bahrain-Qatar Causeway is expected to start by early next year to be completed between three-and-half and five years.

The project's consultant has offered a number of alternatives on the routes and meeting points of the causeway between the two countries, ranging from 38 to 47 km.

Bahrain Housing and Agriculture minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said the point of entry to the causeway in Bahrain was still under consideration.

Infrastructure projects lined up

Manama: Infrastructure projects worth BD4.3 million ($11.4 million) will be implemented by the Bahrain government.

The projects include a secondary school for girls in Sitra, the renovation of two pumping stations and the construction of a sewerage network in Muharraq and roads and sewerage networks in East Riffa, and a horse race track.

School to be built in Bahrain

Manama: A new BD3 million ($7.95 million) private school is being built in Salmabad. The project is spearheaded by businessman Abdul Rahman Jassim Kanoo, to cater for pupils from middle-class Bahraini families.

It will take around 1,500 pupils, about 400 at the elementary level, 640 intermediate and 450 secondary. The three-storey complex will house 82 classrooms, administration offices, a laboratory, playground and a swimming pool.

Kanoo has signed a construction contract with Skyline and the school is expected to be open for the 2003/2004 academic year.

Work begins on corniche

Abu Dhabi: The second phase of the Abu Dhabi Corniche project has begun, municipality officials said.

Under this phase, the area will be beautified and the existing Corniche Street moved to a new location, an Abu Dhabi municipality official said, adding the new developments would offer spacious parking along Corniche Street, from the city centre.

The Corniche Street from the intersection of Arab Gulf Street to a new location, is now in the process of being reclaimed and beautified.

The new project will cover 6 km and will allow for the smooth flow of traffic as well as a direct link to the port, which will ease traffic congestion on the Al Salam Road.

The construction of a 7-m-tall traditional windtower may also be part of the beautification project. The tower is expected to have coffee shops and other outlets. The new street will also have pedestrian crossings and special bicycle lanes. International designers will be invited to send in their designs in a competition.

Ajman to build flyover

Ajman: A four-lane flyover is being built over the Al Hamidiyah Roundabout in Ajman, UAE.

The flyover, which will be completed in July, will allow smooth flow of vehicles coming from Sharjah to Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, or in the reverse direction, an official of Ajman Municipality said.

The project is being carried out by the UAE Ministry of Public Works and Housing, because this is a federal route connecting Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

Heavy vehicles will be allowed to use the flyover, the report said. Al Turath Consultants in Dubai has been handed the project, while the contractor will be Emirates Contracting.

Tenders soon for beach project

Manama: Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) will this month invite tenders for the Al Jazayer beach project in an open auction for the best bid to develop the area for tourism projects.

Other tenders to be issued include the Ain Adhari Park, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Municipalities and Environmental Affairs, EDB executive director Jamal Al Hazeem said.

He said the new projects to be implemented in Bahrain, including Bander Al Seef in west Muharraq, would boost tourism in the country.

Foundation laid for super port

Manama: Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has laid the foundation stone for Bahrain's new BD170 million ($450.9 million) super port.

The Khalifa bin Salman Port project is expected to be completed by mid-2005.