The project was intended to go ahead on a build-own-transfer (BOT) basis but buoyant oil revenues have influenced the government's decision to finance the scheme from its own budget. The government had originally approved in 2001 a $925 million allocation for the project but began to look at private finance options once the estimated project costs began to increase (MEED 12:10:01).

Danish consultant COWI & Partnershas completed the initial conceptual and route studies for the project, which covered three construction options. COWI has recommended the first ring-road in Kuwait City as the optimal interconnection point for the causeway. The client, the Ministry of Public Works, is also considering two other options, which could link the causeway with the Al-Ghazali expressway or the second ring-road. If built, the proposed 26-kilometre bridge would be the fifth longest in the world.