Thriving Abu Dhabi gains a world-class tunnel and highway

An island off the Persian Gulf coast, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. A center of culture and commerce, Abu Dhabi has more than 900,000 people and has invested billions of dollars in roads and infrastructure to keep pace with its growth.

Challenge

Abu Dhabi needed a modern highway with tunnels and interchanges to improve traffic movement on the island. The project was located in a dense urban environment and required tailored engineering solutions that would minimize impact to residents, businesses and motorists during construction.

Solution

The Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi approved an upgrade of Al Salam Street (later renamed Sheikh Zayed Street) and selected Louis Berger to manage the complex project.

Construction included:

Widening the street to four lanes in each direction.

Constructing an expressway tunnel 4.2 kilometers long that routed traffic to key streets and interchanges.

Constructing four interchange underpasses, each approximately one kilometer long.

Maintaining continuous traffic flow and utility services while the work was underway.

The Sheikh Zayed Tunnel, through the city’s central business district, opened in December 2012. One of the longest tunnels in the Middle East, it was renamed in memory of the country’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan.