The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) announced that it has completed construction of the Shurayrah Bridge, one of the longest water bridges in Saudi Arabia.
The company stated that it has celebrated the installation of the last concrete block, weighing four hundred tonnes, in the construction of the bridge that is an essential part of the infrastructure of the first phase of the Red Sea Project. The activity for the first phase of development is well underway and is on track to be completed by the end of 2023.
The 1.2km iconic bridge is part of the 3.3km crossing from the mainland to the Red Sea project’s main hub island, Shurayrah. The bridge will stretch a total of 1.2km across the Red Sea, with two small 36m sections at each end of the crossing to allow for smooth movement of marine mammals.
John Pagano, the Chief Executive Officer of TRSDC stated that the Shurayrah Bridge will grow to be one of the main access points for guests onto the island, and its completion will mark a major activity in the development of the destination. Pagano further added that its construction is truly monumental as not only will the bridge be the very first connection to the islands, its construction will determine their ability to accomplish massive feats of engineering whilst also protecting and strengthening the natural habitat.
The Shurayrah Bridge is one of the longest water bridges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total length of 3300 meters (3.3km) and a width of 28 meters. The bridge is constructed to ensure constant access between the mainland and Shurayrah Island offering two vehicle access lanes, with the similar spacing and section as the Causeway and comprises the following:
- Suspended deck structure, foundations and approach slab for Central Bridge- Bridge 1, and Bridge 2
• Movement linkages and articulation scheme
• Central Bridge support at connection to both the mainland and island access Causeway Works
• Supports related with Bridge 1 and Bridge 2
• Kerbs
• Two service corridors comprising covers for the Central Bridge- Bridge 1 and Bridge 2
• Two plant boxes corridor for Bridge 1 and Bridge 2
• Surface stormwater drainage system with no scope for discharge to the marine environment.
• Lightening protection
• Provisions for Street and walkway lighting
The Shurayrah Bridge comprises over six hundred pre-cast concrete blocks, and their loads range from 80 to 400 tonnes. Its construction methods and design complied with TRSDC’s stringent criteria for sustainable expansion. Sustainable measures comprise stringent controls on the avoidance of any sediment movement from piling activities with multiple monitoring floats strategically positioned to avert any advance from surface booms. A precast yard for bridge sections was formed near the coast to reduce travel distances with concrete obtained from on-site batching plants.
The Archirodon group, the world leader in infrastructure projects and marine works and, with 60 years of Engineering and construction excellence was keen to achieve sustainability in the process of constructing the longest water bridge in Saudi Arabia. The Group implemented studies to evaluate the environmental impact of the bridge to ensure the conservation of the marine environment. More than 90 percent of the concrete used was precast, environmentally safe, as a substitute of conventional concrete to ensure that no environmental problems or leaks arose at the bridge site.
Shurayrah is one of the 22 islands in an archipelago of over 90 selected for development
According to an official source at TRSDC, the company pursues to enhance and conserve the local floras presented at the bridge site, such as mangroves, which is part of the aesthetic aspect of the bridge design and the construction operations.
Shurayrah is one of the 22 islands in an archipelago of over 90 selected for development. The spectacular Coral Bloom design theory for Shurayrah was created by renowned British architects Foster + Partners, a global studio for architecture, engineering, urban and landscape design rooted in sustainability.
It is deeply inspired by the island’s natural landscape, with hotels that are nestled amongst the dunes and bio-diversity taking spot-light throughout.
The Red Sea Project is a luxury tourism destination that will set new standards sustainable development and position Saudi Arabia on the world-wide tourism chart. The project will be developed over 28,000 sq. km of pristine lands and waters along Saudi Arabia’s west coast and comprises a massive archipelago of over 90 islands.
It has previously approved numerous significant milestones and work is on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, when the first hotels and international airport will be open. The entire sixteen hotels set up in Phase 1 will open up by the end of 2023.
Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea Project will encompass 50 hotels, present up to 8,000 hotel rooms and around 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also comprise a luxury marina, leisure, entertainment, and accommodations.
