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Spanning a total length of 48,53 km (approx. 30 miles), the bridge will include the 36,1-km-long main bridge and the 12,43 km-long Doha Link, another Hyundai E&C project under construction in Kuwait. It is about 7 km longer than Haiwan Bridge (41.58 km) in Qingdao, China.

The $3 billion projects are conceived one of the largest infrastructural projects in the world overtaken by Hyundai E&C and Combined Group Contracting. 

The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway will span across Kuwait Bay between Kuwait City and the Subiyah area. The new bridge will reduce the distance between Kuwait City and Subiyah area from 104 km to 36 km; thus, reducing the journey time from 70 minutes to less than 20 minutes.

Its main signature cable-stayed bridge with its exquisite arch pylon will rise as a landmark in the middle of the vital navigation route of the Kuwait Bay. The project will also include two artificial islands of 30 hectares; one on the northern side and the other on the southern side of the bridge which will house maintenance and traffic emergency buildings, fueling stations and marina facilities. These islands will also have a visual/aesthetic role as they break the monotony of a long and uniform bridge.

Sheikh Jaber Al Sabah Causeway (SJSC) is developed as a signature infrastructure development project that addresses social, economic, and environmental concerns of the State of Kuwait, is an example of sustainable development. 

The developers' area also careful about the potential environmental impacts of the project that may affect the marine animals and its site during construction of the bridge. 

"The current SJSC construction line causes minimum marine impact, pollution and disturbance, through an effective buffer between the construction site and ecologically rich locations. It is mandatory that all construction work complies with the best industry practices and KEPA regulations. Temporary impacts during construction are minimized through work carried out in compliance with regulations, approved project guidelines, effective construction supervision, and continuous environmental monitoring," stated in a project description.

"Environmental monitoring, a KEPA requirement, is implemented as the next tier of environment protection. Monitoring locations and parameters are based on sensitive receptors and expected a degree of impact. Continuous monitoring includes marine water quality monitoring, ambient and meteorological data monitoring, air pollution monitoring, marine water sediment level, and vibration monitoring."

Koran construction company Hyundai E&C and Combined Group Contracting Company won the project in 2013 and the project is developed as part of the Kuwait National Development Plan 2035. The bridge is expected to be completed this year.

All images courtesy of Hyundai E&C

References: worldarchitecture.org