A major regional summit will focus on the designing, building and maintaining of next generation bridges, specifically addressing the current challenges faced in creating iconic and mega bridge projects.

Bridges Middle East 2009 will be held from November 22 to 25, at the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi.

This conference will act as a major platform for bridge professionals from all over the world to engage in a variety of discussions on the latest innovations, developments and specification in regional bridge projects.

The event sets the stage for municipalities, public works authorities and developers to announce upcoming tenders and project case studies.

The main conference on November 23-24 will feature presentations and case studies from senior local and international speakers, as well as interactive discussions on crucial issues.

Key topics for discussion include designing, planning and integrating bridge projects, bridge maintenance strategies, building sustainable bridges and exploring future developments in bridge technologies.

Most notably and impressively this event will be host to the exclusive launch of the Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Project.

The governments of Qatar and Bahrain intend to build a four-lane, 40-kilometre long causeway, consisting of roadway sections on reclaimed embankment and natural islands, low level bridge structures and signature long-span bridges.

Recognised as the world's longest marine crossing, this project answers an important part of the mobility challenge for Qatar and Bahrain by providing a surface transportation link between the two diverse and complementary countries and economies.

It is also poised to become the first link in a Middle East (GCC) rail network, by providing an unobstructed connection for freight and high speed passenger rail service between Bahrain and Qatar, along a rail system that may one day connect many of the GCC countries.

"We are delighted to have the support and involvement of the Qatar Bahrain Causeway Management, this will no doubt be a major highlight of the event and serve as a platform for industry leaders to discuss one of the world's most ambitious bridge projects,” said Fiona Barron, conference director for Bridges Middles East 2009. – TradeArabia News Service