The UAE has started the procurement process for a project that involves building a causeway to Qatar, bypassing Saudi Arabia.

On the UAE side, the scheme, which is known as the West Link project, entails constructing a 40-kilometre (km) road link with two lanes in each direction. The road is planned to start near Ras Ghumais and extend to a ferry terminal on Makasib Island, which will then connect to Qatar.

MEED understands that several local and international firms submitted their early contractor involvement (ECI) statements on 4 April.

The ECI process requires selected contractors to submit methodologies for the project and a design proposal during the initial stages of procurement.

The project is being overseen by the UAE's Etihad Rail.

“Due to the offshore nature of the project, Etihad Rail has opted for the ECI model to receive several methodologies, design proposals and budget estimates for the project,” sources close to the project told MEED.

It is understood that the conceptual design and social, economic and business case studies commenced early last year.

Etihad Rail did not provide a comment when approached by MEED.

In 2005, Abu Dhabi and Doha were reported to have been setting up a joint company to oversee the implementation of a proposed UAE-Qatar causeway.

The crossing would have significantly cut journey times. At present, traffic between Qatar and the UAE has to pass through 125km of Saudi Arabian territory.

Back then, the causeway was planned to start near Sila in Abu Dhabi and extend to the south of Doha.

The scheme ultimately stalled. Problems included difficulties with the route, which infringed on Saudi Arabia's territorial waters.

Improved relations

In June 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar, preventing any potential joint infrastructure projects.

In January 2021, the Al-Ula Declaration restored diplomatic ties and economic cooperation has gradually resumed.