Khaleej Times reported that local developer Limitless has invited contractors to express interest in a 2 stage tender for construction contracts for the Arabian Canal project in Dubai.

A spokesman of Limitless said that “Limitless has invited several international contractors to submit proposals for the Arabian Canal project. It is currently considering expressions of interest from about a dozen contractors.”

The construction of the 80 kilometer long waterway will be split into a series of design and build packages, although the client may award multiple contracts to one contractor or consortium.

The canal will enter the Persian Gulf at 2 points, first at south west of Palm Jebel Ali as part of the Dubai Waterfront project and the second at south west of the Dubai Marina. Limitless will develop 200 square kilometres of land around the canal to the south east of the Dubai World Central airport. The canal will also pass through the Dubai Waterfront and Discovery Gardens developments planned by Nakheel, Dubai Industrial City, the Jebel Ali Business Park planned by Emaar Properties and the Jumeirah Golf Estates development planned by Istithmar Leisure. The canal will be constructed at sea level for its entire length to allow yachts to sail along it.

Construction of the canal is expected to take 3 years from December 2007 until the end of 2010. The client estimates the excavation will require the removal of about 1,000 million cubic meters of material. This will be used for landfill and landscaping on adjacent developments. It will cross major highways at five different locations, as well as the Dubai metro, underground gas and fuel pipelines and overhead power lines.