Seven international consultants have been shortlisted for the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway project, reported the Gulf Daily News.
The consultants, including some with offices in Bahrain, have been pre-qualified to carry out subsurface investigations and surveys for the proposed 45km causeway, which would be the longest in the world.
The last day of submitting tenders to the Qatari Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Ministry was Saturday.
Among the seven who have been shortlisted are British consultants Haider Engineering, Halcrow and Mouchel, and Danish firms Kowi and Kampsax, sources revealed in Bahrain.
Some of them have chosen Bahraini firms as sub-contractors to carry out preliminary environmental and engineering investigations and studies, said the paper.
The consultant, who will be mainly responsible for concept design, will be chosen by the end of the year, it added.
Preliminary studies may then take 10 months, and it may take another year for preparation of final designs and tendering process.
Sources told the paper that the 15km-wide shorelines in both countries and 45km corridors between them would be surveyed as part of the preliminary investigation.
"Based on the survey, the final 200-meter corridor will be chosen for the causeway between the western coast of Qatar and eastern coast of Bahrain," they revealed.
"The limits of the corridor through which the final route of the causeway will pass has already been broadly identified.
"The 15km shoreline to be surveyed on the Bahrain side will be between Sitra and Jaw."
The concept design will cover the following works: bridge and marine works; environmental works; infrastructure works within the causeway proper and at the approaches in both countries including drainage, lighting, telecommunications, fire fighting and other related works; toll plazas; rest areas; customs and immigration facilities; and other amenities and services – Albwaba.com
