(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) said excavation works for the main tunnel of Mesaimeer Surface and Ground Water Drainage Project were completed at the end of July.
The project will discharge groundwater and storm water into the sea, decreasing the surface water level, contributing to the reduction of pumping costs and disposal of groundwater in construction projects around the country. It will also preserve the foundations of buildings, and reduce land subsidence due to rain.
Works were carried out by 'Al Thumama' and 'Al Rawada' tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Named after the areas they operated in, the TBMs were developed for the project by the German manufacturing company, Herrenknecht AG, and used for the first time in Qatar to excavate deep tunnels.
The completion of the main tunnel marks the end of major works of the project. Remaining works include excavation and construction of sub-tunnels and inspection manholes along the main tunnel.
The main tunnel is about 10km long and 30-metre deep, extending several kilometres from the shoreline from Woqood Petrol Station Roundabout.
It is also connected to the drainage network in the areas where it will pass and hold surface water from sub-networks in various locations, covering an area of about 170sqkm. It is linked to a pumping station with a capacity of 19 cubic metres per second to discharge storm water through an offshore outfall several kilometres away from the shoreline to ensure the protection of the shoreline and its surrounding environment.
The Mesaimeer tunnel was excavated using Earth Pressure Balance tunnelling technology ideal for Doha's cohesive soft ground and rock conditions. All excavation works were carried out at a depth of 30 metres without disrupting traffic or damaging facilities or buildings surrounding the tunnels.
Inspection manholes will be built during remaining works to ensure proper operations of the tunnel's facilities. The manholes will also enable inspection and periodic maintenance as part of a plan to be implemented through the construction of 21 access shafts from the surface to the underground tunnels at a depth of 20 to 30 metres.
It is a key project implemented by Ashghal as part of plans to upgrade drainage network. The main tunnel runs under F-Ring Road from the first excavation site in Al Thumama and will stretch 5.4km to the west and 4.3km to the east into the planned pumping station near Hamad International Airport. The project is expected to be completed in Q1 of 2017.
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