The Dh3billion Sheikh Zayed Tunnel finally opened to traffic, easing traffic jams in the capital.
The project started in 2007 and the 4.2-kilometre tunnel stretches from Delma Street, at the Sea Palace junction, to the Corniche and Mina Road.
The covered section of the tunnel runs for 2.4km, while the open section covers 1.8km.
Originally known as the Salam Street tunnel, it was renamed after the country’s founding president.
Now motorists can drive from the Sheikh Zayed Bridge to the Mina area within 20 minutes at a maximum speed of 80kph.
Abdullah Al Shamsi, executive director of infrastructure and municipal assets sector at the Abu Dhabi Municipality, said: “It was a very big project and we’re proud that we’ve completed it. The entire 14km Salam project has the most advanced tunnel system in the Middle East.”
There are 157 CCTV cameras covering the entire tunnel and 174 video incident cameras that detect accidents.
