Receiving shaft reached: Both tunnel crossings at Ismailia success­fully completed

In the summer of 2015, Egypt celebrated the extension of the Suez Canal with a fleet parade. However, while the canal had been expanded to a two-lane waterway, the ambitious plans of the president were not yet complete. New tunnels under the Suez Canal and several new ports and industrial zones will be developed and these are expected to boost Egypt's economy and improve trade between the Africa and Asia.

A key element of these plans is a pair of new road tunnels under the canal near Ismailia. Each are about 6 km long, including the ramps. The first tunnel crossing was success­fully completed in early December 2017 and the second tunnel boring machine safely reached the receiving shaft two weeks later. Special design and construc­tion challenges of these tunnels included high water pressure at a depth of 60 m and the low coverage of the tunnel route below the canal.

In the coming months, in the two tunnels, MEP will be installed, cross passages and ventilation shafts constructed and ramps and technical buildings completed. The first vehicles will pass under the Suez Canal this year.

CDM Smith provides lasting and integrated solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities to public and private clients worldwide. As a full-service engineering and construc­tion firm, we deliver exceptional client service, quality results and enduring value across the entire project life cycle.