A huge transport investment programme is expanding the Middle East's infrastructure
Talks are now underway again for the US$3 billion Bahrain-Qatar Causeway project, which was delayed largely due to the financial crisis. Work on the 40km causeway project, which is intended to feature both road and rail connections, stopped in June of this year. The project is being handled by a consortium headed by 3438 Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company (QDREIC) and French firm 3085 VINCI Construction. Under the original plan the road links were due to be completed by 2013 and the rail connections by 2015, However the delivery dates will form part of the discussions and it remains to be seen whether a new schedule will be required or if the original deadlines can still be met. Meanwhile the consortium 2712 Habtoor Leighton Group will commence work shortly on the $299.5 million road and infrastructure contract for Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone (KPIZ). Habtoor Leighton comprises a contractor based in Abu Dhabi and a division of Australian firm 2474 Leighton Holdings. This is the second large contract Habtoor Leighton has been awarded for the KPIZ development project for client Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).
