ABU DHABI // The Dh800 million Bainunah tunnel and roadwork project is complete and open, the Department of Transport announced on Sunday.
The 240-metre long, 5.5-metre tall Etihad Tunnel connects traffic from the Corniche to Etihad Towers. It is decorated with an Islamic geometric design.
The 750-metre long Bainunah Tunnel is at the junction of Bainunah (34th street), Sultan bin Zayed Street (32nd street) and Hazza Bin Zayed Street (11th street).
The tunnels will have speed limits of 40kph. The roads will have a limit of 80kph. Four roundabouts were replaced by junctions with signals to make the area safer and reduce congestion.
The project was due to be finished late last year but was expanded for other waterworks, electricity, sewage and storm drainage projects.
It will triple capacity to 3,000 vehicles an hour to meet demand caused by new commercial outlets and thousands of new residents.
The northbound tunnels are two lanes. They have a control centre that includes Intelligent Transport Systems to control congestion and a supervisory control and data acquisition system for fire safety, stormwater drainage and ventilation. Lighting in the tunnel automatically adjusts to natural light.
All junctions on Bainunah Street and Ras Al Akhdar now have pedestrian crossings with signals. Landscaping and pedestrian crossings in the neighbourhood, budgeted at Dh100m, are expected to be complete by next year.
Street decorations include granite kerbstones.
[ azacharias@thenational.ae ]
