BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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1 BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST Planning, designing and constructing the next generation of bridges and highways that will transform the urban landscape of the Middle East. Copyright 2014 IQPC Middle East. All rights reserved. Produced by IQPC Middle East in association with the 7th Annual Bridges and Highways Middle East Summit taking place in November 2014 in Doha, Qatar.

2 Bridges & Highways Transforming the Middle East As construction projects in the Middle East accelerate due to strong economic expansion, visionary growth strategies and ahead of the hosting of large-scale events of global importance, the race is on to transform the landscape with vital bridge and highway infrastructure. With such innovative and large-scale bridge and highway infrastructure projects underway, this business paper assesses: n n The challenges faced by the industry in delivering these developments. How new industry trends and innovations are helping contractors and consultants to overcome obstacles and rethink how to deliver vital transformation of the Middle East s towns and cities. 2 BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

3 CONTENT: Page 4: Ambitious Programmes for Change Page 4: Trends in Design and Build Page 6: Regional Insight Page 7: International Insight BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST 3

4 Some of the best infrastructure in the world is being built in the Middle East Adrian Palmer, who leads WSP Group s Transportation & Infrastructure business in Qatar Ambitious Programmes for Change For the bridges and highways industry, the Middle East is an exciting place to be at present; across the GCC, countries are investing in large numbers of transformational infrastructure projects. Some of the best infrastructure in the world is being built in the Middle East, says Adrian Palmer, who leads WSP Group s Transportation & Infrastructure business in Qatar. Qatar, he says, is one nation with ambitious programmes for change. Led by Ashghal, the Qatar Public Works Authority, numerous major works, including four high profile schemes, will create a modern, well connected road network ahead of the World Cup These include: n The circa US$12 billion, 12 km Sharq Crossing. n The 12km Lusail Expressway, at an estimated US$2 billion. n The circa $US700 million Orbital Highway & Truck Road. n The Al Wakrah Bypass, an estimated US$600 million, 11km freeway. Meanwhile, in Dubai, the scheme occupying most residents imaginations is the Dubai Canal Project, linking Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf. Phase 2 of the project will be completed at the end of 2015 and involves the build of bridges spanning, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Hadiqa Road and Al Wasl Road at an estimated cost of US$105 million. Trends in Design and Build With such iconic projects and tight deadlines, a number of issues inherent to building in the Middle East, from the extremes of the environment (high temperatures, humidity and salty marine environments) to material and labour supply fluctuations, and lengthy planning approval processes present challenges to delivery. But, according to a number of construction experts, new trends in bridge and highway design, build and maintenance could alter how we think about construction in the region. The Dawn of Plastics Polymers and plastics, long used in aviation construction, could create a new dawn for bridge construction in the Middle East, with quicker build times and lower long-term maintenance costs, says Atkins Regional Director Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Ghassan Ziadat. The advantageous properties of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) materials, such as low self-weight combined with high strength, the possibility of producing any shape, capability to be pre-engineered / pre-fabricated in segments, their high resistance to corrosion and fatigue, and easy maintenance have the potential to overcome many of the challenges to building in the Middle East. While still in the development phase, the use of polymers and plastics in construction glass fibres, carbon fibre materials and glass reinforced plastic could present opportunities for the Middle East, Dr Ziadat says. The main advantage of these materials for the region is that they are very durable and don t corrode as steel does with the region s high humidity, heat and salty sands. These structures are always under attack from the environment. 4 BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

5 Ziadat argues that to date costs have been prohibitive for widespread use, but FRP are already being used to build or refurbish bridges in Europe and the USA, and new developments in the emerging FRP infrastructure market is leading to reducing costs. Introducing these materials could be a viable solution for the Gulf if researched further. Due to the oil and petrochemicals industry, the Middle East is also well placed to benefit from the production of plastic and polymer materials for use in construction, Ziadat adds. Advancements in Asset Management As large scale infrastructure in the GGC begins to mature, such as in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there is an increasing trend within the bridges and highways industry in the Gulf for a greater focus on devising effective and intelligent asset management strategies, particularly when it comes to dealing with durability issues throughout a structure s lifespan. According to Asger Knudsen, Head of Department, Bridge and Tunnel Asset Management at Ramboll, structures built in the past years are needing more regular inspections and maintenance, with new technologies playing a major role in saving clients money, while maintaining safety. Clients in the region have been thinking about maintenance from day one but they are realising they need to do more as structures age. The high humidity, salt water and high temperatures in the region accelerate deterioration, he says. Knudsen argues that emerging technologies are paving the way for long-term and holistic solutions that benefit both the users and owners of infrastructure. Furthermore, knowledge gained from the asset management of bridges and highways worldwide are helping to increase the long term durability of the new structures. He says: A new generation of tools has been developed over several years that have increased accuracy, allowing us to obtain a much quicker overview of damages to infrastructure, as well as gain improved insights into when and where repair or maintenance is required. The better and more accurately we can assess infrastructure, the easier it becomes to plan long-term and cost-effective maintenance processes. One tool already producing results for bridges and tunnels, which suffers from degradation as a result of the salt used in de-icing, is a tool known as smash equipment: an advanced form of hammer testing, Knudsen says. By striking the surface, a shock wave is sent through the structure, which in turn moves depending on its density and internal damages. The equipment is attached to a computer and measures movement on site, enabling damages to the concrete or coating to be revealed quickly and accurately. The improved accuracy supports in the minimisation of costs associated with inspection and repair. A common denominator for these new asset management tools is that they can measure with a significantly higher accuracy than previously. This means that they can contribute to major reductions in societal expenditure on the operation and maintenance of our infrastructural assets, he says. And now, the more accurate information gleaned from these new testing technologies is converging with decades of knowledge to deliver a more informed design process as asset managers increasingly work with new designers, Knudsen says. With our knowledge of service life analysis, more robust structures can be designed and built with regards to local maintenance needs. You can really avoid problems and save money if you think about the asset management of structures in the design phase of projects. There is an increasing trend within the bridges and highways industry in the Gulf for a greater focus on devising effective and intelligent asset management strategies. BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST 5

6 Abu Dhabi is one forward-thinking government that is leading the way in pursuing the Green Roads philosophy and sustainable design. Regional Insight With environmental concerns at the top of governments agendas worldwide, including in the Middle East, for Nidal Odeh of Parsons Brinckerhoff UAE, sustainable design will dominate future transport infrastructure needs in the region. The engineering and design consultancy s global sustainable development work in transportation planning and design encourages the development of communities that offer a full range of economic, social, and recreational opportunities; advising clients, including government agencies, on strategies to reduce carbon emissions and address the consequences of climate change. Odeh, a structural engineer, who has worked across a wide range of major regional and international transport and infrastructure projects says the emerging Green Roads design practices will fast become a global standard. There is no longer any doubt of the impact that human activities have on the environment and on climate change. This is particularly important for the road sector and hence the adoption of the Green Roads design philosophy, which aims to integrate transportation functionality and ecological sustainability, he says. This is done through the implementation of an environmental approach to planning, design and construction. The result is a highway that will benefit transportation, the ecosystem, urban growth, public health and surrounding communities. In the Middle East, Odeh says Abu Dhabi is one forward-thinking government that is leading the way in pursuing the Green Roads philosophy and sustainable design. In particular, he says, the Department of Transport s procurement of the E12 Extension near Abu Dhabi, under the principles of Green Road, is of major significance beyond the Emirate s borders; not only does it reflect governments commitment to protect the local environment but as the first Green Road pilot project in the region, it will provide a model for the future construction of roads. The 5km pilot project will link the existing Abu Dhabi-Dubai Main Road (E11) and the new Abu Dhabi-Dubai Main Road (E311). Construction work is expected to be complete in late Environmental friendly materials such as recycled asphalt, concrete aggregates and scarp rubber tyres will be used in construction and the project will meet the highest of international sustainability standards. Odeh says: This Green Road project is the first of its kind in the region. As a pilot scheme, this means that it will provide an opportunity to identify and address the regional issues associated with cost, time and environmental benefits in terms of pollution and noise. It will also offer Abu Dhabi insight into the efficiency of use of construction materials, the minimisation of waste, reduction in the use of energy, the lowering of whole life cost and more. As a result, all of the information provided by the Green Road pilot will be taken into consideration in improving the certification level for the future development of transport infrastructure, for which meeting environmental standards is a mandatory requirement. 6 BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

7 International Insight With Expo 2020, Qatar s World Cup 2022 and a possible Dubai Olympic bid all taking place within the next eight years, the world s focus is squarely on the Middle East. In the coming years, new bridges and highways will transform the region s landscapes, and challenge consultants and contractors with innovative builds, tight timescales and an increasing focus on sustainability as the Gulf occupies the global spotlight. With such ambitions and challenges ahead, Atkins Dr Ghassan Ziadat believes much can be learnt in the region from the London 2012 Olympics; the world s greenest Olympic Park, at 200-hectares (500-acres), was delivered with an unmatched sustainability record, to time and to budget, all the while overcoming the challenges of building world-class infrastructure within the confines of a heavily populated city, on either contaminated sites or inhospitable marshland. Atkins was involved for ten years in building the infrastructure for the London Olympics working across roads, bridges, utilities, geo technical and building more than 100 temporary venue and facilities UK-wide, he says. Sustainability was a major issue and there are many lessons to be learned. Not only were very sustainable bridges built, but the Games site was heavily polluted. With a requirement to minimise carbon emissions and recycle more than 90% of site materials, a great deal was done to rehabilitate the ground and wash the soils before construction even began. Multi-levelled, intersected by its waterways, and constrained by rail lines and multi-lane roadways, the future Olympic Park site presented an accessibility challenge, however, by the time the Games had opened, 23 pedestrian and road bridges had been built to completely alter the site. For London 2012, infrastructure planning was also driven by legacy issues, which will be of concern in the Gulf as its international events loom nearer. Virtually everything built for London 2012 must have either had a use after the event itself is or was to be built in a temporary way. To address these needs, Atkins focused on what it called sensitively planned development infrastructure that served not only the basic needs of the Olympic Games City but also defined a sense of place. The firm describes development infrastructure as an integrated approach to the provision of the things that go between buildings. Its focus was to take quite utilitarian design standards and make them appropriate to a more local look and feel, so that it became part of an aesthetic solution; the combination of engineering with architecture in equal measure to produce a new future. Summary As the Middle East enters an exciting phase of intense bridge and highway construction, new innovations and models of best practice, both here and internationally, are primed to drastically alter how the industry approaches the design, build and management of new structures in the region to create a more sustainable and cost-effective future. BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST 7

8 With the resurgence of Middle East s impressive construction boom, numerous projects are in planning, underway or being launched to develop the region s infrastructure in time for the Expo 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. This presents huge opportunities for companies looking to get involved in these projects. IQPC has hosted thousands of these project stakeholders from local ministries and municipalities as well as leading architects, consultants, contractors and technology providers from the Middle East and from around the globe at our annual bridges and highways events held across the GCC. Don t miss this opportunity to hear directly from Adrian Palmer, Senior Technical Director, WSP; Dr Ghassan Ziadat, Director Planning and Infrastructure, Atkins; Asger Knudsen, Head of Department - Bridge and Tunnel Asset Management, Ramboll; and Nidal Odeh, Bridge & Tunnel Expert, Parsons Brinckerhoff UAE at the 7th Annual Bridges & Highways Middle East Summit (10-12 November, Doha, Qatar) developed with input from the region s key project stakeholders including Ashghal, RTA, Qatar Rail, Hyder Consulting and more. Visit for more information. Copyright 2014 IQPC Middle East. All rights reserved. This document may not be copied, published, or distributed, in whole or in part, or modified in any way, including by removing the copyright notice or references to IQPC Middle East, without the written permission of the copyright owners. This document and the information contained herein is provided on an AS IS basis and IQPC Middle East disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to any warranty that the use of the information herein will not infringe any ownership rights or any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Publisher contact details: Radhika Sasidharan IQPC Middle East enquiry@iqpc.ae 8 BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MIDDLE EAST