Qatar–Bahrain Causeway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Qatar Bahrain Bridge |
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Existing bridge connecting the main island of Bahrain to Muharraq.
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| Coordinates | 26°1′22″N 50°48′8″E / 26.02278°N 50.80222°E |
| Carries | Motor vehicle and Rail |
| Crosses | Gulf of Bahrain |
| Locale | Bahrain and Qatar |
| Other name(s) | Qatar Bahrain Friendship Bridge |
| Maintained by | Qatar and Bahrain Causeway Foundation |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 40 km (25 mi) |
| History | |
| Opened | cancelled |
The Qatar Bahrain Causeway, also known as the Qatar Bahrain Friendship Bridge, was a huge bridge and road project. It was planned to connect the two Arab countries of Qatar and Bahrain across the Gulf of Bahrain. This project also included plans for a ferry service between the two nations.
Building the bridge faced delays because of a disagreement between Qatar and some other countries, including Bahrain. This disagreement was settled in 2021. After that, countries started working together again, including on trade and travel.
Contents
Building the Bridge: A Look Back
Early Plans and Costs
Plans for this big bridge were first talked about in September 2001. A Danish company called COWI signed a contract to start the first studies. They worked with other experts to figure out how to build such a long link.
On December 13, 2008, it was announced that building would begin in early 2009. The project was expected to cost around US$2.3 billion. However, by June 2015, construction had not started. The project was put on hold.
Why the Project Stalled
In January 2011, Bahrain's Foreign Minister said the bridge was very important. He called it a "must" for both countries. He said it would connect their economies. Later, in April 2011, there was news that building would start that year. The cost was then estimated to be about $5 billion.
By December 2012, the project was still facing money problems. Bahrain's Foreign Minister said the bridge might only be finished just before the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A disagreement between Qatar and some other countries, including Bahrain, also caused delays. This issue was resolved in 2021.
What the Bridge Would Have Been Like
Connecting Two Nations
The planned link between Qatar and Bahrain would have been about 40 kilometers (25 miles) long. It was designed to carry both cars and trains. This bridge would have been a natural extension of the King Fahd Causeway. That causeway already connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. This new link would have helped connect the entire region even more.
Design and Features
The bridge was planned to have different parts. About 18 kilometers (11 miles) would be artificial dikes, which are like raised roads over water. The other 22 kilometers (14 miles) would be viaducts and bridges. Some parts of the bridges would be 40 meters (130 feet) high. This height would allow large ships to pass underneath safely.
The eastern end of the causeway in Qatar would have been near a place called Ras Ashairij. This is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of the city of Zubarah. The other end of the causeway would connect north of Askar in Bahrain.
Important Steps and Challenges
Agreements and Partnerships
The project was officially approved for building on February 28, 2005. It was planned to connect Bahrain near Manama to northwest Qatar near Zubarah. On June 11, 2006, Qatar and Bahrain signed a formal agreement. They decided to create a company to raise money and start building.
On September 30, 2007, it was announced that construction would begin within seven months. It was expected to take 48 months to complete. A group of companies, including Vinci Construction from France and Hochtief Construction AG from Germany, signed an agreement for the project. In November 2008, an engineering company called KBR was hired. They were to help with the design and management of the project.
Changes and Delays
In 2009, there were talks about changing the bridge's slope. This was to make it better for trains to use. French architects joined the team to help design the causeway and its main bridges.
However, in May 2010, an incident involving coastguards caused a disagreement between Qatar and Bahrain. This issue, along with rising costs, made the project less of a priority. The project was eventually cancelled.
See also
- List of longest bridges in the world
- Transport in Bahrain
- Transport in Qatar
- Bahrain light rail network
- King Hamad Causeway
Images for kids
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