Moriah - Jerusalem Development Corporation Ltd. will probably withdraw Shafir Civil and Marine Engineering's win to build a Calatrava bridge in the city at a cost of NIS 129 million. A decision on the matter is expected in a few days. The reason is the refusal of the French participant in the project, Eiffel, to promise completion of the work or take responsibility for the planning.
Sources inform “Globes” that Moriah was considering turning to Ramet Ltd., the other participant in the tender, which submitted a higher bid of NIS 150 million. A more like option is to cancel the tender and publish a new one.
Last week, the Moriah tenders committee discussed the contract with Shafir, after the company refused to sign certain documents. If Moriah cancels' Shafir's win, Moriah is expected to pay NIS 3 million in compensation.
The Caltrava bridge is for the Jerusalem light railway. Located at the heavily trafficked intersection at the western entrance to the city, the bridge will be 140 meters long and 118 meters high. It will take two years to build. The Ministry of Transport is concerned that if the tender is canceled, completion of the project will be delayed.
If Moriah publishes a new tender for the bridge, it will be the third, after the first contract was cancelled.
Shafir said in response that it had not received any official notification about a possible cancellation, and would respond in accordance with developments.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on April 11, 2005