ABU DHABI // A Dh109 million project to improve Sheikh Zayed Tunnel and street is under way as Abu Dhabi Municipality upgrades the infrastructure to meet the needs of road users.
The work includes constructing a 400-metre slipway between Sheikh Zayed surface street and Sheikh Zayed street tunnel between Al Falah Street and Hazza Street junction by adding two tunnel-bound lanes in the direction exiting Abu Dhabi, and two lanes exiting the tunnel in the direction of the city entrance.
These would significantly improve traffic flow at the junction of Qasr Al Bahr with Hazza Street.
The upgrade includes improving junctions with Al Falah Street by adding two lanes in the direction of Al Reem and Al Maryah islands, and improving the surface street at Qasr Al Bahr junction to enable smooth traffic flow in the direction of the city.
The project, which will run for 790 days, is set up to protect roads and surrounding areas from being affected by construction work, reducing road diversions and preventing the need for major structural changes in Sheikh Zayed Tunnel.
The Sheikh Zayed Tunnel, originally known as the Salam Street Tunnel, runs from Hazza bin Zayed Street at the Sea Palace junction to the Corniche and Mina Road.
The project, begun in 2007 to ease traffic on what was then Salam Street (now Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street), was completed in December 2012.
The covered section of the tunnel runs for 2.4 kilometres, while the open section covers 1.8km.
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