17 February 2013
MUSCAT -- The Omani government, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, yesterday took a key step towards implementing a much-awaited initiative to establish a causeway bridge linking Masirah Island with Shanna on the mainland. It unveiled moves to commission a detailed feasibility study designed not only to ascertain the financial costs associated with the execution of this ambitious project, but also to assess its positive ramifications for socio-economic development on the island.
As a first step in the implementation of the strategically important infrastructure scheme, the Tender Board yesterday invited qualified consultants to bid for its contract to provide advisory services for 'Economic and Social Feasibility Studies, Initial Planning and Cost Estimation for the Causeway between Shanna and Masirah Island'. Interested bidders have until April 1, 2013 to submit their offers for the consultancy services contract.
Significantly, the Masirah Causeway Bridge project stems from a Royal Directive issued by His Majesty the Sultan in June 2010 tasking the government with exploring the options for a sea-bridge spanning the channel separating the Sultanate's largest island with the mainland. Those Royal orders came in the wake of Cyclone Phet, which struck large parts of the Sultanate's east coast, including Masirah Island, necessitating a mass evacuation of residents from these areas.
The proposed project will serve as a modern, convenient and effective alternative to the existing ferry service that operates between Shanna and Masirah. Given the length of the channel, which is roughly 30 km across at Shanna, the causeway project is set to a capital intensive infrastructure venture. Estimated costs vary in the range of RO 200-250 million, it is learnt.
When operational, the Masirah causeway bridge will open the island to major economic, commercial and tourism investment, experts point out. Significant development is envisaged on the mainland side of the causeway as well. According to industry experts, the selected consultant is expected to be required to delve into a broad gamut of issues covering not only the type of bridge structure envisaged, but also potential locations for the crossings on the mainland and island, environmental impacts, shipping and navigation concerns, other imperatives.
Suitable sites for the crossings will be identified keeping in mind the project's ultimate objective of facilitating the easy movement of people and goods. Beneficial implications for economic and tourism growth, among other strategic objectives, will be taken into consideration as well. While utilisation levels will be a key consideration in identifying potential locations, the structure's vulnerability to adverse weather and sea conditions will be weighed as well.
Furthermore, in choosing suitable locations for the crossings, the consultant will have to study tidal influences at potential sites in question, water depths, and any underlying environmental factors. Extensive bathymetric surveys and geotechnical investigations will be required as well. Importantly, the choice of location will also have a major bearing on the overall cost of the project. For instance, the width of the channel narrows significantly towards the northern end of the Island, bringing construction costs considerably lower.
Additionally, the feasibility study will provide a variety of options and scenarios to the government on the pros and cons of selecting specific locations for the causeway link, type of construction - suitability of viaducts, or bridges with one or more long spans, or cable-stayed structures, and so on. Another key issue for consideration is the constructability of the structure. Certain sections of the structure will have to be raised to facilitate movement of small to medium fishing boats, merchant ships, barges and pleasure boats. Segmental bridges are quick to construct and are thus an option, but cable-stayed or suspension bridges with segmental construction are generally preferred, say experts.
MUSCAT -- The Omani government, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, yesterday took a key step towards implementing a much-awaited initiative to establish a causeway bridge linking Masirah Island with Shanna on the mainland. It unveiled moves to commission a detailed feasibility study designed not only to ascertain the financial costs associated with the execution of this ambitious project, but also to assess its positive ramifications for socio-economic development on the island.
As a first step in the implementation of the strategically important infrastructure scheme, the Tender Board yesterday invited qualified consultants to bid for its contract to provide advisory services for 'Economic and Social Feasibility Studies, Initial Planning and Cost Estimation for the Causeway between Shanna and Masirah Island'. Interested bidders have until April 1, 2013 to submit their offers for the consultancy services contract.
Significantly, the Masirah Causeway Bridge project stems from a Royal Directive issued by His Majesty the Sultan in June 2010 tasking the government with exploring the options for a sea-bridge spanning the channel separating the Sultanate's largest island with the mainland. Those Royal orders came in the wake of Cyclone Phet, which struck large parts of the Sultanate's east coast, including Masirah Island, necessitating a mass evacuation of residents from these areas.
The proposed project will serve as a modern, convenient and effective alternative to the existing ferry service that operates between Shanna and Masirah. Given the length of the channel, which is roughly 30 km across at Shanna, the causeway project is set to a capital intensive infrastructure venture. Estimated costs vary in the range of RO 200-250 million, it is learnt.
When operational, the Masirah causeway bridge will open the island to major economic, commercial and tourism investment, experts point out. Significant development is envisaged on the mainland side of the causeway as well. According to industry experts, the selected consultant is expected to be required to delve into a broad gamut of issues covering not only the type of bridge structure envisaged, but also potential locations for the crossings on the mainland and island, environmental impacts, shipping and navigation concerns, other imperatives.
Suitable sites for the crossings will be identified keeping in mind the project's ultimate objective of facilitating the easy movement of people and goods. Beneficial implications for economic and tourism growth, among other strategic objectives, will be taken into consideration as well. While utilisation levels will be a key consideration in identifying potential locations, the structure's vulnerability to adverse weather and sea conditions will be weighed as well.
Furthermore, in choosing suitable locations for the crossings, the consultant will have to study tidal influences at potential sites in question, water depths, and any underlying environmental factors. Extensive bathymetric surveys and geotechnical investigations will be required as well. Importantly, the choice of location will also have a major bearing on the overall cost of the project. For instance, the width of the channel narrows significantly towards the northern end of the Island, bringing construction costs considerably lower.
Additionally, the feasibility study will provide a variety of options and scenarios to the government on the pros and cons of selecting specific locations for the causeway link, type of construction - suitability of viaducts, or bridges with one or more long spans, or cable-stayed structures, and so on. Another key issue for consideration is the constructability of the structure. Certain sections of the structure will have to be raised to facilitate movement of small to medium fishing boats, merchant ships, barges and pleasure boats. Segmental bridges are quick to construct and are thus an option, but cable-stayed or suspension bridges with segmental construction are generally preferred, say experts.
© Oman Daily Observer 2013
