Infrastructure
2019
Egyptian Armed Forces
Port Said, Egypt
Partner in a JV with Arab Contractors
Port Said Tunnels are an important part of the Suez Canal Region Development Plan, which will connect Sinai with other Egyptian provinces to provide a gateway for investment opportunities, hence; speed up the development of Sinai province. With vast experience and a solid track record of working on infrastructure projects, namely in the transportation sector, Orascom Construction through its strategic partnerships, has delivered this landmark project, located 19 Km south of Port Said city, near the northern entrance of the Suez Canal.
Port Said Tunnels consists of twin road tunnels crossing the Suez Canal with a planned capacity of 2,100 mixed vehicles/hour in each direction. The dual carriageway tunnels comprise of (a) 2.90 Km of tube constructed using Tunneling Boring Machine - TBM of inner dimeter 11.4m and outer diameter 12.6 with maximum overburden of 47m (60m invert to surface distance), and (b), 1.10 Km of cut-and-cover and open approach sections with maximum gradient of 3.3%. The tunnels safety evacuation concept includes an evacuation gallery below and along the road deck, accessed by emergency stairs at 250m intervals. Two cross-passages at distance of 1km link the two tubes with a length of 17.4m and are located in 50m depth (invert depth), which are necessary for the emergency services. The tunnels are constructed in adverse soft soil conditions (Very soft clay) including groundwater with high salt concentration and the presence of dissolved methane gas.
The project also includes east and West entrances, which are constructed on 130 feddans including toll station, control buildings, services buildings, security areas, parking areas and entertainment areas.