Skyscrapers and huge man-made islands are not the only infrastructure projects being planned for the Gulf region. As the states jostle for position with extensive leisure and business developments already under construction and new ones planned, proposals continue and plans are advanced for new transportation links, which range from mundane to spectacular.

Arguably the region's most ambitious and eye-catching project is the recently-revived plan to build a 23km-long road bridge over the Gulf of Aqaba, linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Incorporated in this sizeable link, which is being promoted by the Saudi and Egyptian governments, will be a 2.5km-long suspension bridge.

A new road which will connect the towns of Saint Paul and Etang Sale on Reunion Island has to cross 100 ravines, some of which are very deep and cannot be accessed from below. Because of the unusual topography of the island, four exceptional bridges, two cut and cover tunnels, a 300m-long twin tube tunnel and 20 standard and 20 non-standard structures have to be built for the new route.

The contract for the design and construction of the bridge over the Grande Ravine, which is one of the four exceptional bridges, was awarded in 2002 to a joint venture of consultant Setec TPI and architect Alain Spielmann.