Qatar to construct subsea tunnel

Qatar will go ahead with plans for a 12km subsea tunnel, it was announced in February.

The tunnel will link Doha’s new airport, due for completion in 2011, with Lusail and West Bay, the country’s financial centre. The estimated cost of the tunnel is US$1bn.

Danish engineering consultants COWI submitted in February a feasibility study and a preliminary concept design to the client, Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality of Urban Planning. The plans will await approval from the Qatari government.

When asked at a recent event in Doha whether the project would cost more than US$1bn, acting manager of the design department at Qatar’s Public Works Authority said, “Yes, definitely. A lot more,” local media reported.

Details of the project first emerged in 2008 when COWI won the contract to carry out the feasibility study. Other options considered for the link were a bridge across Doha Bay and a tunnel running under the Corniche, Doha’s waterfront promenade.