Contractors submitted a second set of prequalification documents for Qatar’s estimated $12bn Sharq Crossing scheme on 18 October.

It is understood that 13-14 groups have been invited by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) to submit Stage 2 documents for the tunnels, and 19-21 have been invited to submit forms for the bridges.

The 12-kilometre-long crossing, which was officially launched in December 2013, is one of the biggest infrastructure schemes planned in Qatar. It involves building three bridges interconnected by subsea tunnels across Doha Bay, which, when completed, will link Doha’s new Hamad International airport with the city’s cultural district of Katara and the central business area of West Bay.

The works will be split into eight packages:

1. Land-based enabling works;
2. Marine-based enabling works;
3. West Bay approach and bridge;
4. Cultural City approach and bridge;
5. Sharq approach and bridge;
6. Immersed tunnel and marine interchange;
7. Surface street modifications;
8. Systems integration contract.

There will also be an operations and maintenance (O&M) contract.

The most significant packages are the design-and-build contracts covering the West Bay approach and bridge, the Cultural City approach and bridge, the Sharq approach and bridge, and the immersed tunnel and marine interchange contract.

There has been much speculation about the future of the scheme in recent months, and the consultant to finalise the packages and prepare the tender documents has yet to be hired.

The consultancy role will involve working closely with Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who prepared the concept designs for the bridges.

The authority has appointed US-based Fluor Corporation as the programme management consultant to supervise the construction.

Work on the project is expected to be completed before the country hosts football’s Fifa World Cup in 2022.