Doha Bay Crossing
From the freedom of California’s Route 1 to the spectacular
winding road of the Grimsell Pass in the Swiss Alps, specta-
cular drives define famous places across the globe. The star-
ting concept for the Doha Bay Crossing project was to not
only design how the project will be viewed as a spectacular
iconic landmark from across the bay, but also how we can
provide one of the World’s great, iconic, driving experien-
ces! This solution ensures that the route takes full advantage
of the views, becomes more than a monotonous horizontal
crossing, is a spectacular landmark, resolves the technically
challenging practical constraints thrown up by any project
on such a scale and becomes an iconic driving experience
in itself.The first experience of the iconic structure might be
from the sky, where the islands and the bridges resembles
the national animal of Qatar - the Oryx.The inspiration for
the design of the bridges has been the flag of Qatar with
its diagonal geometry. The diagonal tension cables create
surfaces that will be illuminated in the night. This will be
a dynamic light, which can change in colour and intensity.
The light for the traffic lanes will be a low positioned system
integrated in railings and sides of the bridge. By doing two
bridges, two islands and two tunnels we can create a fantas-
tic driving experience. Seeing Doha from different parts of
the Bay. Bicycle infrastructure is a key element of success-
ful urban design. The bridges will provide citizens with
a freedom of mobility, opportunities to engage with their
natural surroundings, and a chance to connect with fellow
citizens. We have created a cycle route along the two bridges
our to the two islands where we are designing a public park.
Perhaps it can be a national park.
We want the drivers to the north to get some fresh air co-
ming up from the tunnel as well as getting a view of West
Bay. This is by creating two bridges and thereby shortening
the tunnels. The Bridge-Tunnel concept allows for tall ships
to easily access the marinas in the Bay. The pylons are clad
in stainless steel with a core of concrete. The railings are
in stainless steel and are almost disappearing when one is
moving along the bridge. The under side of the bridge is in
stainless steel with baffles that are lit up in the night. The
tunnels have a red-blue color gradient to make it easier to
know how far one has travelled. The artificial island will
be designed with anti/erosion material and masses from the
excatvation of the tunnels. The height of the pylons is given
by the air regulations which allows for a maximum height
of 148. The pylons double their width and length over the
height over the traffic lanes.
Project name: Doha Bay Crossing
Type: Public work
Location: Doha, Qatar
Status: Invited competition
Client: State of Qatar
Architect: Erik Andersson Architects
Budget: EUR 4.000.000.000
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