New Doha International Airport Tunnel

Location: Doha, Qatar
Client: Sinahydro Gamuda WCT JV/Scott Wilson
Owner: Qatari Civil Aviation Authority/Overseas Bechtel Inc
Value: RM1.8B (US$515M)

With an overall footprint of about 5.8km by 4.0km NDIA is located on the coastal strip immediately east of the existing Airport west of Doha.

RB’s scope in this design and build contract currently under construction includes the detailed design of 2 road tunnels built using the cut-and-cover method, and the independent checking of a third tunnel.

The Midfield Access Road Tunnel has a total length of 1.1km and width of 50m, while the Free trade Zone Tunnel has a total length of 1.1km and width of 37m, both passing through beneath the runway and are subject to heavy A380 aircraft loading.

The Cross-Taxiway Tunnels, for which RB carried out the independent check, have a total length of 1.6km and a width of 22m.

RB’s scope included the permanent works design as well as temporary earth retaining structures. Particular attention was required to the issue of limiting any potential settlement of the existing towers. Significant cost and programme savings were achieved through careful design and optimisation by RB.