27 March 2005

DUBAI --The Dh686 million-road network project under construction around the Dubai International Airport, which also includes a 1.6 km-long tunnel, is over 84 per cent complete, according to Dubai Municipality's Roads Department.

The works on the tunnel, considered the longest and widest in the entire region, began in March-April 2003, and the completion is fast approaching. Being constructed in five phases the project will serve traffic resulting from the massive expansions underway at the international airport, and is part of the civic body's plans to improve traffic flow in Dubai.

The massive tunnel is being constructed directly beneath the airport, and once complete, would be linked to the existing and under construction road network with seven shorter tunnels. An official at the department told Khaleej Times that the tunnel and road network is a showcase project not only for its size but also due to the technology that has been employed to construct it and the facilities it will provide the motorists.

The electromechanical and civil engineering works of the project are what set it apart. For the smart traffic system that will be used in the tunnel, 12 electronic traffic sign boards (12 m X 3.5 m) have been installed at most intersections (outside the tunnel) and these will guide motorists on the the status of the facility in terms of partial or complete closure. Also installed are 13 traffic sign boards, electronic sign boards especially for giving out information on lanes. The tunnel is also equipped with 115 cameras that will allow the authorities to keep a check on the traffic situation inside. Information from these cameras and other equipment will reach the main control centre from where Dubai Municipality keeps a check on the traffic situation and accidents on the emirates road network, and will be able to reach the same information to motorists.

Four power generators have been set up inside the tunnel, and these will provide the necessary power for the facility's equipment. Also there are two main generators located at the either ends of the tunnel. The tunnel is also provided with a special communication equipment for GSM to allow motorists to stay connected through their mobile phones.

Considering the environment factor, the civic body has installed 40 exhaust fans, each weighing 1.6 tonnes, while 32 electronic units to detect the level of carbonmonoxide inside the tunnel have also been installed. Four sewerage stations have also been set up inside the tunnel to pump out storm water. Backup electrical supply (generators) will also be available in case of emergencies inside the facility, while mains for fire-fighting - connected with the 68-point fire control system inside the tunnel, have also been installed. There are 75 emergency telephones along the walls of the tunnel, each of which is connected to a control centre located at the Southern end of the tunnel. The lighting has been done using 6,583 lighting units.

Most of the excavation works have been completed with 1.8 million cubic metres of earth being removed so far. The body of the concrete tunnel, which required 550,000 cubic metres of concrete and 22-metre 1,890 ramps each weighing 66 tonnes, has been completed. To beautify the tunnel the inside walls have been covered with 80 collages made in 75,000 cubic metres of marble.

Part of the project also includes the construction of road signals, landscaping, street lighting, and irrigation and drainage system, utilities related to tunnel safety such as fire detection and alarm system, variable message sign, carbon monoxide and smoke ventilation system and closed circuit television system.

According to the municipality, the tunnel will have four lanes in either direction, shoulders and pavements, and will ease traffic flow in and around the international airport. New interchanges and shorter tunnels are also being built are also being built to avoid snarls in the vicinity due to expansion work. The major tunnel will replace the Rashidiya Road, and part of the road that links the Al Rashidiya and Al Twar interchanges from Beirut Road will be removed for the extension of a runway. The demolished part of the road will be replaced by a tunnel that will connect Nad Al Hamr Road near the Airport Expo in Al Twar area.

The seven smaller tunnels are expected to facilitate free access to the upcoming Terminal Three of the Airport, while a new interchange on Al Garhoud Road will ease traffic from Cargo Village. There will be a free-flow interchange to connect Al Rashidiya area with Al Ghusais.

Meanwhile the municipality is also looking into the feasibility of linking roads around the airport, such as Al Ittihad Road, Al Rashidiya Road, Al Nahda Road, Al Twar Road and the Airport Road. According to the civic body the number of people using the airport is projected to reach 42 million by 2020 as against 13 million in 2000.

By Zaigham Ali Mirza

© Khaleej Times 2005