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28 March 2024

Region’s longest tunnel hits a roadblock

More than 93% of the project has been completed and it will be ready in Q1 2012, say municipality officials (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff

Abu Dhabi authorities have decided to postpone the inauguration of one of the Middle East’s longest underground traffic tunnels to early next year because of technical and topographical obstacles in residential areas.

The Salam tunnel project, which cost nearly Dh5 billion, had been due to be opened by the end of 2011 after a delay of nearly a year but difficulties in construction work under buildings in the Tourist Club area held up the execution of the project on time.

“The Abu Dhabi Municipality is now saying that more than 93 per cent of the entire project has been completed and it will be ready in the first quarter of 2012,” the Sharjah-based Arabic language daily 'Al Khaleej' said.

“Municipality officials expect the inauguration of the project to take place during that period after most of those obstacles had been overcome.” In a recent statements, the Municipality said Al Salam project, stretching over three km, could accommodate 6,000 vehicles in each direction per hour."

Upon completion of Al Salam Street Project, motorists will be able to travel through Al Salam Street without any traffic signals from Sheikh Zayed Bridge outside the city straight to Mina Zayed. The project will also positively impact the environment by reducing traffic volumes that will lead to a decrease in air pollution. Likewise, the tunnels’ central system is among the most advanced in the world and comes with enhanced safety features,” it said.

Salam project, launched four years ago, has already caused daily traffic mess on the main road as well as in the eastern Tourism Club area and the ring road stretching from that area out of the city.

More than 4,000 workers have been involved in the construction of the tunnel and causeways, one of the largest infrastructure ventures in the region.

Once the tunnel is completed, passengers coming from Dubai and other emirates will have two optional directions—either to take the expanded surface road into the capital or go 15 metres underground into the tunnel. Those heading for the nearby Reem Island, where over 100,000 people will live, can just turn right and drive along the causeway.

The tunnel will run underground from the capital’s northeastern entrance straight to Port Zayed and other coastal areas in the southern part of the city, where the fish market and harbour, the sprawling vegetable market, the ageing Iranian free port, cooperative societies and other facilities are located.

South Korea’s Samsung construction company is the main consultant for this project, part of a long-term blueprint by Abu Dhabi to expand its inhabited areas and road networks to cope with a sharp rise in the population. The tunnel will run just under Al Salam street while a causeway will connect the new junction at the entrance of the tunnel with the 900-hectare Al Reem.