US$ 3 billion Qatar-Bahrain causeway go-ahead

A consortium led by Vinci has signed a US$ 3 billion design & build contract for the world’s longest bridge.

The Qatar-Bahrain causeway will be 40 km long in total, with 18 km of the two-lane dual carriageway carried on embankments in shallow areas. The remaining 22 km of the fixed link will be carried on viaducts, including two 400m span cable-stayed bridges over shipping channels.

The so-called ‘Friendship Bridge’ will be the first direct link between the two countries, and will cut journey times from the current five hours to 30 minutes.

The consortium carrying out the work comprises Vinci Construction Grands Projects (leader), Hochtief, CCC and QDVC, a joint venture between Vinci and real estate company Qatari Diar. In addition, Vinci subsidiary Medco will be responsible for the dredging work.

Nine months of studies and surveys are now planned, after which construction of the link is expected to take 51 months.