Congestion relief for Abu Dhabi motorists as Bainunah tunnel opens

ABU DHABI // Part of the new Bainunah Tunnel has opened at the intersection of Bainunah Street (34 street), Sultan bin Zayed Street (32 street) and Hazza Bin Zayed Street (11 street).

The one-way, two lane tunnel starts from Sultan bin Zayed Street, emerging on Bainunah Street.

Work on the 750-metre tunnel began in 2011. It is 10.5 metres wide and 6.5 metres tall.

The tunnel has a control centre fitted with an Intelligent Transport system to manage traffic flow.

Once fully complete, it will reduce congestion in the Ras Al Akhdar and Al Bateen areas.

"We are working hard to finalise and deliver the project," said a Department of Transport spokesperson.

The Dh800 million roadwork project around Bainunah Street will increase road capacity in the area threefold and is scheduled for completion by 2013.

This includes a 540m tunnel which will provide direct access to the Etihad Towers complex at the end of Bainunah Street. Buses already operate along a dedicated bus lane opened at the end of last year.

Meanwhile across the capital, the new 3.1-kilometre Al Salam Street tunnel between Mina Road and Al Falah Street will be "opened for vehicles shortly," the municipality said earlier this month.

azacharias@thenational.ae

Bainunah Tunnel Map

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