Transport MEED Project of the Year 2012

27 March 2012

A variety of ambitious transport projects came to fruition in the GCC in 2011

WINNER CADILLAC GCC TRANSPORT PROJECT OF THE YEAR

UAE

Dubai Metro Green Line

Entrant: Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) – Rail Agency

Project owner: RTA – Rail Agency

Project contractor: DURL Construction Consortium

Engineering consultant: Systra/Parsons

Architect: Aedas

Engineer: Atkins

Description: Dubai has expanded to almost double its size and population through rapid upward and horizontal urban development. The Dubai government, through Dubai Municipality and the RTA, developed a well-designed, comfortable metro system with Red and Green lines. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) study was carried out for the Green Line project and several mitigation measures were considered to control the environmental impact. Measurements were taken regularly to ensure that standards were adhered to in areas such as air quality, dust emissions, noise and vibration. In addition, the health and safety of the population were considered. The wellbeing of workers was monitored through regular inspection of their living quarters and work sites.

UAE

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

Entrant: Six Construct

Project owner: Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Municipality

Project contractor: Six Construct/Archirodon

Engineering consultant: High Point Rendel

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects

Description: Sheikh Zayed Bridge, located at the northern end of the Maqta Channel, provides a third crossing to the island of Abu Dhabi. It eases traffic congestion and facilitates access to the rapidly expanding residential and commercial developments in the surrounding areas. To enhance the bridge’s appearance, the deck boxes include open outer cells that are illuminated at night. The post-tensioned concrete box girders are supported by inclined post-tensioned concrete piers, which are themselves founded on piles with a diameter of up to 1.5 metres. The spans over the channels are supported from the arch’s ribs by stainless steel pipe hangers. Zaha Hadid’s ‘Sand Dune’ design was selected to make the bridge a landmark structure.

Saudi Arabia

Northwest Leg of Riyadh Ring Road

Entrant: Shibh al-Jazira Contracting Company

Project owner: Transport Ministry

Project contractor: Shibh al-Jazira Contracting

Engineering consultant: Dar al-Handasah

Description: The northwest leg of the Riyadh Ring Road was one of the most challenging roads to construct in the kingdom. The project involved crossing three deep wadis to complete the outer ring road of Riyadh city and link it to the industrial southern area. The 13-kilometre project has three viaducts, five interchanges and two bridges. The scheme has not intruded into or split the agricultural plantations at Wadi Hanifah. A prominent feature of the ring road is the almost vertical walls that show off the striking layers, faults and cavities in the metamorphic limestone.

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