Held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Qatar’s pipeline of futuristic projects is already stacked, and the latest in the lineup is the Sharq Crossing.
What makes it so special? It’s going to be a highway that dives straight under the Arabian Gulf.
The latest updates have revealed Qatar’s aims to continue the Sharq Crossing project, with an estimated cost of approximately USD2 billion. This massive initiative will be overseen by the Qatar Public Works Authority, Ashghal.
The route is set to connect Hamad International Airport, Katara Cultural Village, Lusail City and West Bay through an on-water and underwater road tunnel.
Now, let’s get into the good stuff. We’ve got the scroop on the project’s history, the expected completion date, and most importantly, how it’s going to transform Doha.
(Credit: Qatar’s Public Works Authority, Ashghal)
What is the history of Sharq Crossing?
The project began over a decade ago, originally under the name “Doha Bay Crossing.”
It was first announced in December 2013 and by the following year, Ashghal was already prequalifying contractors. Ashghal had said the Sharq Crossing was “one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever undertaken in the Middle East” and we absolutely can see why.
The design was by the world-renowned Spanish architect and structural engineer, Santiago Calatrava, who developed the plans at the request of Qatar’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning.
After a period of planning, the project got a major boost in 2019 when Qatar’s national budget proposed its relaunch. That same year, under the directives of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Ashghal invited local companies to form alliances with international firms, to begin planning for the next phase of the project.
The initial goal was to have the crossing open by 2021 and proposed to be three scaffolds spanning between 600 meters and 1,310 meters, connecting Doha’s Hamad International Airport with the Katara Cultural Village and West Bay.
Qatar is steadily growing with futuristic infrastructure projects, and the Sharq Crossing is one of those projects the country is eager to see become a reality.
When can we expect the Sharq Crossing project to be completed?
As for the all-important completion date, that key detail is still awaiting an official announcement.
The ambitious vision has evolved into a significant 12-kilometre structure comprising three major bridges. It is part of Qatar’s broader portfolio of visionary megaprojects that together are shaping the nation’s future, both economically and infrastructurally.
How will the crossing change Doha?
The Sharq Crossing is about to turn Doha’s Corniche traffic mornings into a thing of the past. It will make the city more connected than ever, letting you arrive in West Bay, Katara, or Lusail in just minutes.
And if you’re flying into the country, your first welcome to city won’t just be from the people but the aquatic life. Now that’s a first impression.
Source: TimeOut Doha
