Qatar’s Transport Ministry has extended the deadline for firms to prequalify for the pre-conceptual design of the much-delayed Sharq Crossing scheme.

The client now expects to receive the prequalification submissions by 11 January instead of 24 December.

A team comprising Qatar National Bank (QNB), UK-based Arup and PwC undertook and completed a value engineering study for the scheme in 2016. MEED understands the results of the study have been approved by the client.

MEED reported in 2017 that the project budget, initially estimated at $12bn, is awaiting final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Swiss/Spanish firm Santiago Calatrava prepared an initial concept design for the crossing, which includes three bridges connected by subsea tunnels. The three bridges were to link Hamad International airport with the Katara cultural district in the northern part of the capital Doha and with the central business area of West Bay.

In 2016-17, there were talks of re-scoping the project including a proposal to exclude the planned subsea tunnels and building only one instead of three bridges.

The client is also understood to be considering a number of procurement options including public-private partnership (PPP) as well as splitting the total cost of the project between the government and private investors.

However, a source familiar with the project tells MEED that a PPP model is unlikely to work unless the project is re-scoped due to Qatar’s small population and the low ratio of car ownership against the total population.

The Sharq Crossing scheme was officially announced in December 2013. The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) began prequalifying contractors for a number of packages the following year. However, progress slowed later that year and the decision not to hire a consultant to prepare the tender documents led to a speculation that the project has been put on hold.

Sources close to the project said that although the Transport Ministry, which was formed in 2014, was reviewing the project, Ashghal is still responsible for the delivery.