Belhasa Six Construct, part of the Belgian Besix Group, has been appointed as the infrastructure contractor for the recently announced Dh394-million ($107 million) Shindagha Bridge project in Dubai.

The project was launched last month by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed drew the infinity sign of the bridge on an electronic screen, following which a mammoth design of the Shindagha Bridge was unveiled, heralding the start of its construction.

Its iconic design features an architectural arch shaped in the form of the mathematical symbol for infinity. The top of the infinity arch rises 42 m high, and approximately 2,400 tonnes of steel will be used in the construction of the bridge.

The 295-m-long bridge will rise 15.5 m above the Dubai Creek, which allows the passage of various types of boats. It consists of six lanes in each direction in addition to a pedestrian crossing.

The new bridge is being developed under the third phase of the Dh5.04-billion ($1.37 billion) Shindagha Corridor Project, following the completion of the first two phases.

On the contract win, Pierre Sironval, managing director of Six Construct, said the project was indeed a prestigious one, as Shindagha was one of the oldest areas of Dubai and home to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai from 1912-1958.

“The Shindagha Bridge will be the third major bridge crossing over the creek, that we have successfully built in the UAE, and we are very proud as a company to be a part of shaping the history of Dubai and the UAE,” added Sironval.

Works under Phase Three include the construction of the Corniche Street on Al Khaleej Street, improvements of the Falcon Junction and entry/exit points for Rashid Port.  It will comprise tunnels that span 535 m, surface roads extending along 8 km and 10 surface junctions. The project will be completed in 2022.

The Shindagha Corridor Project extends 13 km along Sheikh Rashid Street as well as Al Mina, Al Khaleej and Cairo Streets.

 Phase Four of the project will cover the construction of the extension of Shindagha Bridge. It includes the improvement of Al Khaleej Street along with its intersection with Abu Hail Street, and the improvement of the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Street with Jumeirah Street, Al Mina Street and Al Mankhoul Street, said a Wam report.

These works require the construction of bridges stretching 3.4 km, tunnels extending across 2.25 km, seven surface junctions, and roads extending 5.1 km. This phase is expected to be completed by 2025.

Phase Five, which covers the construction of Deira Southern Island, with bridges spanning 1.5 km, is expected to be completed by 2027, it added.