Abu Dhabi is leading the way in Middle Eastern infrastructure development by investing heavily into the region's most ambitious underground construction projects, said experts.

The emirate is currently planning a number of mega infrastructure projects as part of the municipality's strategic aim to meet the requirements of a developing city, as well as responding to the needs of the growing population.

According to experts, one of the most notable projects is the Al Salam Street tunnel. The project is a result of the co-ordination between Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, Urban Planning Council, Department of Transport and General Command of Abu Dhabi Police.

The Abu Dhabi municipality, they said, will provide exclusive information regarding the design and construction considerations, effective environmental solutions and tunnel and traffic management systems at a major conference to be held in the city next month.

The 'Tunnels and Underground Construction Middle East' conference, to be held from May 23 to 26, will provide a platform to the region's most ambitious underground construction projects.

The municipality's efforts are directed towards securing an advanced network of infrastructure and transportation facilities to achieve the highest level of road, rail and utility efficiency in Abu Dhabi, the experts added.

In an exclusive keynote presentation at the summit, Abdullah S. Al Shamsi, acting executive director of Municipal Infrastructure and Assets Sector, Abu Dhabi Municipality will provide an insight into current trends and rationale for the boom in underground construction across the Middle East.

He will be joined by other municipality experts including Haris Margaritidis, head of Construction Section, Khaled Al Sokhny, environmental expert and Mazen Jabr.

The conference will be sponsored by the following companies: BASF Construction Chemicals, Zublin Ground & Civil Enginering, Sika Services, Ramboll ME, Mapei, Logfret Middle East, Trelleborg and Ridderkerk BV.-TradeArabia News Service