Qatar-Bahrain bridge slated for 2013 completion

Construction of the $3 billion Qatar-Bahrain Causeway is likely to start by the end of 2009 with a completion date of 2013, project chiefs have said.

The 43km bridge linking the two Gulf nations, also referred to as the Friendship Bridge, currently has 150 engineers in the region and more overseas working on the final study for the project.

The start of construction work has been delayed after Qatar authorities asked for a railway line to be added to the original two-lane road plans.

In comments published by The Peninsula on Tuesday, Yves Thibault de Silguy, chairman of the Vinci Group and chairman of the Council of France-Qatar Entrepreneurs in the MEDEF International, said: “The Qatar-Bahrain project is a very big project. Before we have to start work, it is necessary to do a lot of studies.

“So, today, we have more than 150 engineers working here and more in Europe to complete the study and I hope the study will be finished before the end of this year and at this time, work will start. I think the project may be finished around 2013,” he added.

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