Dubai Roads completes 80% of the Gulf Tunnel
DUBAI, 17th May / WAM / The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has completed 80% of the Gulf Street Tunnel implementation project, which extends from the end of the slope of the “Infinity” Bridge in Deira to the intersection of Al Khaleej Street and Al Wuheida Street, with a length of 1,650 meters and a capacity of three lanes in each direction, with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, as part of the Al Shindagha Axis Development Project.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, confirmed that the project aims to enhance the flow of traffic for those coming from the “Infinity” Bridge towards Deira and vice versa, noting that the Al Khaleej Street Tunnel is part of the Shindagha Axis development project, one of the largest infrastructure projects currently being implemented by the Authority.
He said that the Shindagha Corridor development project extends over a length of 13 kilometers through Sheikh Rashid, Al Mina, Al Khaleej and Cairo streets, and includes the development of 15 intersections, and serves a number of residential areas and vital development projects, most notably Dubai Islands, the Waterfront Market, Dubai Maritime City, and Port Rashid. He explained that the project serves about one million people, and contributes to reducing travel time from 104 minutes to 16 minutes by 2030.
Al Tayer added that the project includes developing the roundabouts on Cairo and Al Wahida Streets into intersections controlled by traffic lights, in addition to implementing improvements on Cairo Street, and linking the bridge ramp coming from Dubai Islands to the new tunnel towards Al Mamzar, pointing out that the project serves the areas of Abu Hail, Al Wahida and Al Mamzar, in addition to Dubai Islands, the Waterfront Market and Hamriya Port.
He explained that the Authority is working to accelerate the pace of implementation to complete the project according to the timetable specified in the last quarter of this year, with 14 teams working around the clock to carry out the work of strengthening the sides of the excavation, while 4 teams continue to carry out tunnel excavation work at a daily rate of between 5,000 and 6,000 cubic metres, to be increased to 8,500 cubic meters per day during the next phase.
He pointed out that the first phase of construction work for the tunnel body, with a length of 890 metres, has been completed, equivalent to 65% of the total work, with the continuation of implementation of the second phase with a length of 760 metres, in addition to the work of cladding the tunnel walls, paving and expanding roads, implementing lighting and traffic lights systems, rainwater drainage and irrigation networks, and diverting and protecting services in the project area.
The project has recorded about 8 million working hours since its launch, without any lost-time injuries, with the participation of 1,591 engineers, technicians and workers, in addition to operating 221 equipment and machinery at work sites.
As part of the “Dubai Tunnels” initiative, the Gulf Street Tunnel will be transformed into an artistic mural inspired by the Dubai skyline, designed by Emirati artist Maryam Al Hathboor, using mosaic technology, in a way that enhances the aesthetic and urban landscape of the emirate and embodies the integration of art with infrastructure.
The Authority continues to implement projects to develop Al Shindagha Axis, as a project is currently being implemented to establish a direct entrance and exit to the Dubai Islands from the Bur Dubai side, via a bridge with a length of 1,425 meters and a capacity of four lanes in each direction, with a capacity of 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, in addition to the construction of surface roads with a length of about 2,000 meters linking the project to existing roads.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
