First Look: Calatrava's Sharq Crossing in Doha, Qatar [video]

The government of Qatar has released details of Sharq Crossing, a massive infrastructure project designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The work in Doha will include three bridges connected by underwater tunnels, spanning 12 km. When complete, the crossing will connect Hamad International Airport to the cultural district of Katara, as well as the central business district. The project will accommodate a people mover system as well as vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

About 8 km of the project is underwater. The three bridges range from 600 to 1,310 meters long.

“Architecture for public works humanizes the natural landscape and serves the community," said Calatrava. "The Sharq Crossing project for Doha is a great opportunity to develop an exceptional and grand piece of public work.”

The most complex of the bridges, West Bay, will include a park accessible by both an elevated walkway and a cableway. Fluor Corporation will manage the program, with construction projected to begin in 2015.

The video and images below give an idea of the scope of this unusual project.

Boyd R. Zoccola is Chair and Chief Elected Officer of BOMA International. A BOMA member since 1994, he has served on the Executive, Finance, Investment, and Medical/Healthcare Facilities Committees. An Indiana Real Estate Principal Broker and a board member of the Real Estate Round Table, he is Executive Vice President of Hokanson Companies, Inc., of Indianapolis, and has been involved in the development of $600 million worth of real estate. On a volunteer basis, Zoccola was president of Horizon House and a board member of Girls, Inc. He holds a BA in biology from Indiana University.