Survey work for Qatar-Bahrain causeway gets under way

The survey includes marine, geological, soil study and mining and exploration work that is being carried out in compliance with environmental regulations.

The environmental permit was granted to Middle East Dredging Company (MEDCO), a member of the consortium led by Vinci Construction Grands of France. The survey work will continue until 10 February next year in four locations in Qatar’s territorial waters. Construction of the project is expected to take 51 months to complete.

Construction of the causeway, also known as the ‘Friendship Bridge’, is being jointly supervised by the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Foundation. The project, when finished, will have a two lane dual carriageway stretching for 40km linking Qatar and Bahrain. The road will cover a total of 18km of embankments where the sea is shallow and a further 22km of viaducts and bridges over deep water, including two 400m cable bridges over shipping channels.

The consortium led by Vinci also includes, QDVC (owned 51% by Qatari Diar and 49% by Vinci), Hochtief of Belgium and the Athensbased Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC). Along with MEDCO, dredging will also be carried out by Dredging International of Belgium.