Abu Dhabi, Doha link to cost $13bn

A proposed causeway linking the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, with Doha in Qatar may cost about $13 billion, London-based Middle East Economic Digest (Meed) magazine reported, citing a consultant that could be involved in the project.

Mohammed Ali, regional adviser with Denmark's Cowi, said the the latest design envisages linking the two cities via a 65-kilometre bridge across the Gulf, Meed said.

Cowi is likely to be involved in the project as a consultant. It is already involved in a project to build a causeway between Qatar and Bahrain, Meed said.

The original design for the UAE-Qatar causeway, which was first developed six years ago, was for a 40-kilometre link. This was changed due to difficulties with the route, which ran through Saudi Arabian territorial waters, Meed said.

No date has been set for construction to start, the magazine reported on its website. (Reuters)