‘Jahra Road Development Project’ wins ACI’s Award

The American Concrete Institution (ACI) - Kuwait Chapter - granted the ‘Jahra Road Development Project’ the first ‘ACI Special Award for an Infrastructure Project’ during their annual Awards Banquet which took place on the May 16, 2017. Minister of Public Works Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Mutawa and ACI President Badr Al-Salman presented the award plaques and “Certificate of Excellence” to project executives, including the Ministry of Public Works’ (MPW) Assistant Undersecretary of the Roads Engineering Sector, Engineer Ahmad Al-Hassan, and Engineer Tarek Shuaib, Managing Partner and Head Architect of Pace - the Kuwaiti leading design, architecture and engineering firm.

In a word from the Assistant Undersecretary Ahmad AlHassan, said: “Jahra Road Development Project ranks as one of the largest transport infrastructure project in the world, as it aims to transform the existing road into an internationally standardized multileveled expressway extending for 10 km in the western region of Kuwait. Its large-scaled structural works include the construction of a 8 km mainline viaduct along Jahra Road, and 10.4 km of exit/entry ramps with five main multileveled interchanges and 620-meter underpass at the Second Ring Road intersection. A total of 18.5 kilometers of ground level service road will be developed with seven traffic signal-free roundabouts.”

Engineer Tarek Shuaib stated:” We are very delighted at this point to be awarded Excellency from ACI for the Jahra Road Development Project. The project, in both its design and construction, stands as an engineering marvel in which its caliber is measured with the advanced and largescaled structural propositions employed. The undertaking of this grand infrastructure development entails a series of sophisticated large scaled operations. Its engineering, and complex location, required the utilization of the latest innovations in bridge constructions, including “Precast Segmental Erection”, using overhead launching gantries. A purpose made hi-tech precast facility has been established to fabricate around 8400 bridge segments.”

The project aims to segregate between bypass traffic and local traffic flow via elevated highways while increasing the Jahra Road Highway capacity thereby minimizing traffic congestions and reducing traffic accidents. The project will also improve road facilities and services and raise road safety standards, meeting the future demands of traffic for road users.

ACI-Kuwait Chapter was organized with the efforts of its members for a non-profit, public service in gathering, correlating and disseminating information for the improvement of the design, construction, manufacture, use and maintenance of concrete products and structures. Also, to further enhance educational and technical practices, as well as scientific investigations and research. ACI-Kuwait Chapter’s Awards Banquet is a highly anticipated and grand annual event during which the Chapter recognizes outstanding projects and individuals. Two main honors were bestowed this year, namely the Award of Excellence and the Award of Achievement.