Infrastructure Dubai takes step forward on $22bn sewage tunnel network By Chris Hamill-Stewart April 10, 2025, 12:55 PM Alamy via Reuters Connect Construction workers load materials in a large sewer line in Portland, Oregon in the US. The Dubai sewer tunnels will be up to 90 metres underground PPP model funds sewage system 200km of tunnels to be built Bids on first stage due this year Dubai Municipality has issued a request for proposals for the first two contracts of the $22 billion Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels (DSST) project, according to a Dubai utilities official. The project aims to modernise Dubai’s sewerage system and has an estimated initial capital expenditure of AED30 billion ($8 billion) and a total lifecycle cost of AED80 billion, according to Tribe Advisory, which is the lead and financial adviser to Dubai Municipality for the project. The tunnel project comes almost a year after April 2024’s catastrophic flooding in the UAE. Record rainfall shut down airports, turned main roads into waterways and caused widespread damage to commercial and residential properties. Abu Dhabi tenders more stormwater projects Dubai seeks consultant for new metro Gold Line Dubai communities to undergo $1.6bn road upgrade Days after the floods, the UAE president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered a review of the state of the Gulf state’s infrastructure. The DSST project consists of two main tunnels with a total length of 75km, alongside 140km of supporting tunnels up to 90 metres underground. The project is broken down into six packages, which will be tendered as public-private partnerships with concession periods lasting between 25 and 35 years. Final bids on the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels project are due later this year. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
