Shindagha Tunnel is one of the oldest and busiest crossings across the Dubai Creek, and yet, according to a senior RTA official, it is fit to weather many more storms *mashalla* It was opened in 1975. It is a vital link between Shindagha area in Bur Dubai and Al Ras in Deira.
The first major repair was done in 1985 and has continued every year since then have kept the tunnel in good condition, adding many more years to the originally declared life expectancy. Since then the regular maintenance has been done routinely.
At the time of inauguration, the structure design life would have been determined by the design code procedure applicable at that time, which in the case of Shindagha Tunnel, was 50 years. Since then, regular maintenance work has been carried out, as is our policy with all our services, adding many more years of life to the structure, said Maitha. Elaborating on the type of maintenance work the tunnel has been subjected to so far, Maitha said that the first major reinforcement work carried out in 1985 saw special procedures employed to check the leakages, deterioration of concrete and oxidization of steel, providing an additional life of 15 years for the tunnel.
Shindagha Tunnel 36 and going strong
