The Abu Dhabi Department of Transport has extended the bid submission date until mid October for the proposed contract to build a bridge in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The authority will accept the applications for work on the Umlifaina Bridge from 13 companies for another two weeks instead of an earlier deadline of 26 September.

The main contractor for the bridge work will be decided after the bidding process.

The AED300m ($81.6m) contract involves construction of two bridges and three smaller crossings, which will link Umlifaina Island to the Abu Dhabi Island.

Singapore-based Aurecon is the main consultant for the bridge project.

“Work is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.”