Qatar causeway construction costs climb

The cost of the new causeway project linking Qatar with Bahrain is expected to hit US$5 billion in all. The 40km link will feature four lanes for vehicles with two in either direction, as well as two railway tracks. The new link will carry around 4,000 vehicles/day when it opens with traffic volumes predicted to grow and hit 50,000 vehicles/day by 2050. Construction work on the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway project is expected to commence at the end of 2011 with completion due in 2015. The link will run from the Ras Isharij in Qatar to Askar in east Bahrain. The project is being carried out by a consortium that includes Middle East Dredging, Consolidated Contractors International, Vinci Grand Projects, Al Diyar Real Estate, French Contracting and 981 Hochtief.