- [Narrator] In the warm waters
of Doha Bay in Qatar,
one of the most ambitious engineering projects
ever undertaken in the Middle East is underway.
Known as the Doha Sharq crossing,
the architectural marvel
will redefine the Doha skyline,
changing the city irrevocably forever.
This colossal megaproject
is unlike anything else in the world.
One part bridge,
one part tunnel,
the crossing will connect
Doha's Hamad International Airport
with Qatar's preeminent social hub.
Katara Cultural Village in the north
and the central business district of West Bay.
But despite its transformative potential,
the project is currently on hold
until after the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
In this video,
I'll explore what makes
this massive engineering megaproject special
and reveal when we can finally expect
the crossing to be unveiled.
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Qatar's rise to global prominence
is nothing short of astounding.
The country's geopolitical location
on a small peninsula tucked away
in the Persian Gulf meant that it
has long held regional importance.
Yet, in 1900, Doha was little more
than a scattering of rammed earth houses.
Indeed, the local economy
was so reliant on fishing and pearl diving
that one British resident noted,
should the price of pearls drop,
Qatar would "practically cease to exist."
What's happened since is one
of the world's greatest transformations.
Upon achieving independence in 1971,
the former British protectorate
began to see vast wealth
pour into the country from oil revenues.
Within a few decades, the Doha skyline
was an unrecognizable metropolis,
complete with towering glass monoliths
and a new artificial island
named the Pearl-Qatar.
Now Doha is setting
an even more ambitious target.
With a population surpassing one million,
the city more than doubled
between 2000 and 2010.
Such a rapid rise in population places
increasing strain on
the city's infrastructure,
including the airport.
And with the 2020 FIFA World Cup
showcasing Qatar and Doha to the globe,
numerous infrastructure projects
have been commissioned.
These big-ticket projects
have birthed several big
Qatari construction companies.
But their premier megaproject
is the Sharq Crossing.
Not only will the project
create thousands of jobs,
directly and indirectly,
it will also radically
expand Doha's infrastructure.
Spanning 12 kilometers of bridges and tunnels,
the Qatari government finally
approved the crossing
in the 2020 budget.
The project is estimated
to cost $12 billion,
consuming a sizable chunk
of the $25 billion allocated
by the Qatari government for megaprojects.
However, costs are likely to overrun.
Already the project
has seen significant setbacks.
After originally being unveiled
in December 2013,
work was supposed to commence in 2015,
with the crossing opening in 2021.
It's now hoped the Sharq Crossing
will finish by 2023 to 2024.
But with an estimated
four-year construction time,
it's unlikely to be completed
until much later.
Indeed, the project has been shelved
until after the World Cup,
with other priorities taking precedence.
Moreover, low oil prices
also hamper progress.
Considering Qatar is the 16th
most expensive construction market worldwide,
and the most expensive in the Gulf,
the initial $12 billion price tag
may well balloon
when work eventually starts.
Yet, the project is more critical than ever.
It was originally planned
to help relieve rising traffic in Doha
in preparation for the World Cup.
With the population continuing
its precipitous ascent,
the already gridlocked city cannot wait forever.
Upon completion, 6,000 vehicles an hour
will be able to commute and travel
back and forth
from the airport
right into the heart of the city.
For the congested current commuter route,
Corniche Road is a much-needed relief.
Although that too is being
expanded and redeveloped.
But what makes the bridge so special?
Designed by Spain's Santiago Calatrava,
the crossing can be split
into three broad sections.
First, the two short sections travel
from the cultural district of Katara
and the central business area.
These sections join in
the middle of the Doha Bay,
forming the final section
that approaches the airport.
As the Spanish architectural firm explained,
"Architecture for public works humanizes
"the natural landscape and serves the community.
"The Sharq Crossing project for Doha
"is a great opportunity
"to develop an exceptional
"and grand piece of public work."
Grand is most definitely the word.
While most of the crossing
will be submerged in a tunnel,
each section will boast a monolithic bridge.
Perhaps most impressive
are the West Bay Tied Arch Bridge
and the Culture City Cable-Stayed Bridge.
The former is a pristine gleaming white arc,
held up by six columns.
Embodying the best of modern minimalist design,
it will be the centerpiece
for the whole bay
and is expected to take
36 months to construct.
The Cable-Stayed Bridge,
meanwhile, is a sleek,
meandering curve of road
supported by a web of cables
hung from spires that tower in the air.
Finally, the last section,
the Sharq Tubular Steel Girder Bridge,
will take the least time to construct,
at only 26 months.
It's also the simplest design.
A low-lying bridge,
notable only for the large circular arches
and tubular design.
As if that wasn't enough,
the West Bay Bridge will also
feature a recreational park accessed
by an elevated walkway
as well as hospitality facilities.
If there's one thing for sure,
the views of the towering city skyline
across the bay
are guaranteed to be spectacular.
Alone, a single section
would be an impressive achievement.
Together, the crossing is amongst
the most exciting megaprojects
in the world today.
Indeed, not only is this
a beautiful architectural wonder,
but as the former Head of Ashghal,
Qatar's Public Works Authority,
put it, "Sharq Crossing is an engineering
"masterpiece of design,
"while providing an important
"new artery to Doha's
"existing road network,
"it will be instantly recognizable
"across the world
"and will be an emblem for Qatar."
It's hard to disagree.
Though it's not as long as
the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China,
which stretches a remarkable 102 miles,
nor as sprawling as
the Beijing Grand Bridge.
What it lacks in size,
it makes up for in sheer majesty.
Like the city of Doha before it,
Doha Bay is about to embark
on a radical transformation.
From a small fishing village
reliant on the pearl trade,
the city has risen to become
the Pearl of the Persian Gulf.
Now its greatest marvel
is about to begin.
Hopefully, after a successful
World Cup in 2022,
work can commence on the crossing.
With any luck, by mid-decade,
the bridges and tunnels
will be completed.
One thing's for sure.
Doha Bay will never be the same again.
What do you think?
Are you impressed by the architectural marvel,
or could the money
be better spent elsewhere?
Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this video,
make sure to watch our next video
on The Most Impressive Stadium Ever Built.
Thanks for watching!
We'll see you next time.