A riveting clip of Qatar re-imagined with three new funky bridges that connect different parts of the country has been circulating the Internet.

The designs were first conceived by Spanish architect and structural engineer Santiago Calatrava at the behest of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning (MMUP) in 2011, but a video of them was just uploaded this week. They depict a major traffic connection linking the new Hamad International Airport area with the West Bay financial district and Lusail.

According to a feasibility study conducted by the COWI consulting group, the ideal way to link all these areas is through an underwater tunnel. Calavera explains on his website that he designed three bridges instead of aesthetic purposes, but each includes short tunnel underpasses.

Delays

The multi-billion Doha Bay Crossing project has been talked about for almost five years. It is being managed by Ashghal, which said it was close to awarding contracts last year, but not much progress appears to have been made since then.

An Ashghal spokeswoman told Doha News that they have no updates to give on the project, though some reports have surfaced that US-based Fluor and the local office of KEO International Consultants were recently appointed to manage it.

Here’s a video uploaded last year that some folks say is the “old design.” 

Regardless of which design Qatar chooses to go with, it should get started soon. According to COWI:

The current road connection between the New Doha International Airport and the West Bay Area through the Corniche Road and the “A” Ring Road will not be able to accommodate future traffic demand.

Thoughts?