Qatar-Bahrain Bridge Project Advances

Qatar-Bahrain Bridge

The Qatar-Bahrain Bridge is one of the major projects designed to connect the two countries. It will be officially named the Friendship Bridge, stretching 40 kilometers in length. The project is expected to be completed before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar. Once finished, it will become the longest fixed bridge in the world. The bridge will link northern Qatar with eastern Bahrain, specifically connecting Ras Al-Ashiraj in Qatar to Al-Jasra village in Bahrain. This structure will serve as a complementary route to the King Fahd Causeway for reaching Qatar, which currently links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

It is planned that the bridge will feature a high-speed road with two lanes in each direction, plus an additional emergency lane in both directions. A dedicated rail corridor will also be included, capable of supporting high-speed trains traveling at approximately 250 km/h. These trains are expected to enable travel from Bahrain to Qatar in under one hour. The Friendship Bridge will be divided into two main sections:

• Marine Section: This section covers the largest portion of the bridge, spanning 22 kilometers. It will consist of two large arch bridges—one on the Bahraini side and the other on the Qatari side.
• Land Section: The remaining 18 kilometers will be constructed on land, forming the terrestrial segment of the bridge.

Significance of the Qatar-Bahrain Bridge

The completion of this bridge represents a major milestone for both nations and the broader Gulf region. Key benefits include:

• Reducing travel distances between Qatar, Bahrain, and other Gulf countries.
• Strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.

Historical Milestones of the Qatar-Bahrain Bridge

The concept for the Friendship Bridge was first introduced in 2005 and presented to experts. The project was formally approved in 2006, followed by the formation of a committee to raise the required funding, estimated at around $4.5 billion. Construction was scheduled to begin by the end of 2008.

Additional Facts About the Qatar-Bahrain Bridge

Several key details about the bridge connecting Qatar and Bahrain are noteworthy:

• The planned height of the Friendship Bridge is 400 meters, ensuring unobstructed maritime navigation beneath it.
• In its first year of operation, the bridge is expected to handle approximately 4,000 vehicles daily, increasing to around 5,000 vehicles per day in the following year.
• The project will feature two lanes in each direction, a dedicated railway line serving both countries with monitoring points along the route, and shared public facilities.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge", www.trafficinfratech.com,2014-2-4، Retrieved 2021-2-2. Edited.
2. ↑ "Qatar Bahrain Bridge", www.visit-qatar.com, Retrieved 2021-2-2. Edited.
3. ^ ^{a b} "Qatar Bahrain Friendship Bridge", www.gvip.io, Retrieved 2021-2-2. Edited.
4. ^ ^{a b} Varsha Thakur (2019-4-29), "Qatar-Bahrain Causeway"، www.onlineqatar.com, Retrieved 2021-2-2. Edited.
5. ↑ "QATAR BAHRAIN CAUSEWAY", www.sesam-uae.com, Retrieved 2021-2-2. Edited.