The Abu Dhabi 1B underwater tunnel project is steadily progressing on the waterway connecting Saadiyat Island and Umyafina Island in the northern waters of Abu Dhabi. The project is led by China Railway International Group and constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau Group. It adopts the "open excavation cofferdam backfilling" process and achieves technological innovation based on international practices and local sea conditions.

Aerial photo of the Abu Dhabi undersea tunnel project taken on December 5, 2025 (provided by China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd.)

Recently, the reporter drove to the construction site on Sadiat Island and saw a huge cofferdam surrounded by dense steel pipe piles on the vast sea surface, which was particularly eye-catching. The seawater inside the cofferdam has been drained, revealing a flat working surface. Various mechanical equipment is operating in an orderly manner, and the construction site is bustling with activity.

Project manager Liu Kun introduced that the project applied multiple innovative technologies, among which the single row steel pipe pile cofferdam technology achieved the world's first large-scale application. At present, the cofferdam has been successfully closed and maintained stable operation, marking the success of this innovative solution in engineering practice, "Liu Kun proudly said.

A photo of the construction site of the ABU Dhabi Undersea Tunnel project taken on December 5, 2025 (Xinhua News Agency reporter Wen Xinnian)

The innovative exploration and practice of Chinese enterprises have also won high praise from international design teams. We cannot imagine the world's first successful application of a single row steel pipe pile cofferdam, "said Dorukhan, head of the design team at PINI Group in Switzerland, during a visit to the site." This is not only a great innovation of the design team, but also a perfect demonstration of China's infrastructure capabilities

Hu Peng, the project leader of China Railway International Group, said that this project is a successful example of China Railway's overseas project joint venture management cooperation.

Wu Lebin, Deputy General Manager of the International Business Department of China Railway Tunnel Bureau, said that after the completion of the underwater tunnel, it will connect important islands in Abu Dhabi and ensure the two-way navigation of the newly built permanent waterway, which is of great significance for improving the local transportation network layout and promoting regional economic development. He said: "We will continue to promote project construction with high standards and quality, comprehensively display the corporate brand image, and inject new connotation into the joint construction of the the Belt and Road between China and Arab countries."

It is reported that the Abu Dhabi 1B underwater tunnel project officially started construction in October 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. (Reporters: Zhao Danliang, Wen Xinnian)

Editor: Lu Jiaqi.