Bridge linking Bahrain- Qatar to cost 1.5 billion

Well-informed sources said that the expected costs for constructing al-Mahba (amity) bridge between Bahrain and Qatar will reach USD 1.5 billion with a construction period expected to take three to five years.

In statements to the Bahraini daily al-Ayam issued on Sunday, the sources expected work to start on the bridge by the beginning of 2003. The sources continued that technical studies given by the investment company covered traffic studies, the services, public utilities and installing the sea cables on the bridge and other related issues.

The starting point on the Qatari land is the Asheirj area while on the Bahraini land it is the area to the south of Satra. The bridge is 45 Km length and the duration of the contract signed with the investment company is 10 months starts from September 2001 and ends in June 2002.