Gulf Building Awards 2008: Infrastructure Project of the Year

Winner: Al Garhoud Bridge, Dubai

The logistics of building a 14-lane road bridge across a stretch of water would be hard enough even if it weren’t located at one of the busiest traffic spots in Dubai. Luckily, the Roads and Transport Authority had in Halcrow one of the region’s most respected engineers and in Besix one of the hardest-working contractors. Together, they were able to complete the bridge in less than two years. With the help of more than 2,000 engineers, technicians and workers, the project team managed to complete the complex structure on time and ensure Dubai’s infrastructure was able to continue growing unimpeded. Judges gave plaudits to the winners for the prompt and successful delivery of a project that has improved the lives of all Dubai residents.

Runners up

Dubai Wafi City district cooling plant, Duba

i It is likely that in years to come, the Wafi City district cooling plant will be seen as a landmark project in terms of sustainable construction in the Gulf. It was the first to achieve a gold standard under the US LEED environmental rating system. The plant cools the Wafi City development in Dubai, exceeding the local energy legislation for air-conditioning systems by more than 25%. The holistic approach taken by contractor ETA was evidence of a long-term vision for sustainable construction - something that should be an inspiration to others in the sector.

Emirates Road Project, Dubai

This 62km-long, six-lane highway, linking the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, has opened up the trade route from Dubai to the northern Emirates, improving access for companies in the industrial sector and contributing to the overall economic health of the UAE. Halcrow acted as consultant on the Dh400m scheme, working for three years to ensure the desert carriageway was geometrically sound, ecologically responsible and safely designed.

Jumeirah Beach Residences - District cooling system, Dubai

At the time of completion, this was the largest district cooling system in the UAE, and it remains one of the biggest plants in operation. To design and build this system, which distributes chilled water around a 7km ring via a system of 12 cooling modules and serves 40 towers, Drake & Scull, Mace and Hyder Consulting had to work together. Despite the scale and complexity, this district cooling system has managed to keep energy use down and reduced maintenance.

Jumeirah Palm Island Road Corridor and Access Project, Dubai

Dubai's first three-level road interchange, the Dh240m Palm Jumeirah road corridor and access project has been vital to sustaining development in this rapidly changing part of the city. The three bridges and one underpass, which provide access between two main roads on either side of Sheikh Zayed Road and serve traffic flowing to the Palm Jumeirah island project, needed a special assymetrical configuration - its success is a credit to the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and contractor Wade Adams Contracting.

Jumeirah Palm Tunnel, Dubai

The first underwater tunnel built in Dubai for 35 years, the 1.4km Palm Jumeirah vehicular tunnel is the only connection for vehicles between the tip and the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah. It is testament to Halcrow's dedication and experience that this extremely fast-track construction programme - just 15 months long - was such a success. It was completed to such a sound level of engineering quality that major repair works are not anticipated during its 100-year design life.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Halcrow has succeeded in designing, engineering and constructing one of the most culturally important buildings in Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is the sixth largest in the world and the culmination of eight years of hard work by the project team. Capable of holding 40,000 worshippers, the mosque has 57 domes, four 115m minarets and a 17,000m2 courtyard. It used 210,000 m3 of concrete and 33,000 tonnes of steel in its construction. Halcrow also designed an innovative cooling system for the mosque, ferrying cool water around all the buildings from a central cooling plant.

Sponsored by Hill International

Hill International

Hill International (NYSE:HIL) is a worldwide construction consulting firm providing project management and construction claims services to both public and private clients in all construction market sectors. We have managed all phases of the construction process from pre-design through completion employing over 2100 professionals in over 30 countries. Hill is one of the world’s largest construction claims consulting firm and the 11 largest Construction Management Firm in the US (ENR Magazine 06/08). Hill is honored to be a participant in many Gulf States construction projects and proud to support the Gulf States Building Awards.