Region to invest $142b intro road, bridge projects

Major road and bridge projects valued at $142 billion are underway or at the planning stages in the Gulf region, with the UAE leading the way after adding to its transport infrastructure with the recent opening of Dubai Metro’s Green Line. Highlighted by Abu Dhabi’s $25 billion Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), the UAE’s US$58 billion worth of road and bridge projects represents almost 40 per cent of the regional total.

Saudi Arabia has US$48 billion dollars worth of projects either planned or underway, while Qatar continues with its infrastructure developments for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with road projects valued at US$17 billion in progress.

Kuwait will be one of the most active markets for road projects in the next couple of years, with projects worth nearly US$9.4 billion in the pipeline, including the Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Causeway. Oman has road projects worth US$8 billion – 5.5 per cent of the regional total – with another US$2 billion worth of schemes at various stages in Bahrain.

Underlining huge opportunities for transport sector manufacturers and suppliers within the region and worldwide, the scale of development in the Gulf is highlighted by figures collated by market research specialist Ventures Middle East ahead of the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference, which takes place from 12-14 December 2011 in Dubai, UAE.