Akkord Corp. at stage of completing construction of underground tunnel complex near Ganjlik metro station - PHOTOS

Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov has visited the construction site

The work on projects aiming at improvement of road infrastructure and traffic regulation in the city of Baku is continued in accordance with the decree of Azerbaijan President Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Based on the order of the Ministry of Transport, Akkord Corporation has been implementing (since 2010) a project on improvement of road infrastructure and provision of traffic without signal lights at Galaba (Victory) square near Ganjlik subway station and at adjacent crossroads.

The project envisages construction of 6 tunnels, 8 pedestrian crossings and enlargement of adjacent roads. Since the commencement of the project the Corporation has already moved the exit of Ganjlik subway station from Ataturk Avenue toward the central part of Galaba square as well as completed construction of one tunnel at Hasan Aliyev Street. Participating in the opening of this tunnel 546 metres long and 16.5 metres wide was President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Internal lighting system designed by well known Italian design companies threw another beautiful feature on capital’s image.

Other project related operations are also performed rapidly at Galaba square. Minister of Transport Ziya Mammadov has visited the construction site for getting familiarized with the operations running here. Khagani Guluzade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Akkord Corporation, gave detailed information to the Minister about the operations performed at the site. The Minister was informed about high speed construction of the tunnel which starts at Ataturk Avenue and distributes traffic in three different directions. Along with other operations, lighting system meeting modern European standards are installed in the tunnel. Facing work is ongoing.

Khagani Guluzade noted that the tunnel had the most modern lighting system based on light-emitting diodes (LED) which are famous for their quality, efficiency, safety and long service life worldwide. This lighting system is controlled by computer. As the lighting system operates on permanent current 12V generated by transformers, this system ensures not only saving of power by minimum 3 times but also remains efficient from the standpoint of safety and durability.

The spotlights installed on the ceiling of the tunnel operate in several modes – daily, night and emergency modes. A rectifier and a generator with the capacity of 90-120 kW were used for ensuring stable power supply in the tunnel. Electric cables that are used in the tunnel have been made of insulation materials that are noninflammable even at high temperatures.

The Minister was also informed that the lighting equipment used in the tunnel had been produced in England. Cables and control systems were produced in German and USA.

Apart from this, the General Director told the Minister about full traffic information that would be displayed in the entry into the tunnel. Besides, installed will be visual surveillance and intellectual cameras notifying about accidents occurring in the tunnel.

Design of such a branched tunnel was also made by Italian companies. High quality products made of fiber-concrete were used during facing work.

Head of Akkord Corporation noted about the shift to relay work in order to have this tunnel commissioned in coming months.

The Minister, who familiarized with the construction process, gave a high evaluation to the work done here.

It is noteworthy that the length of the closed section of the tunnel totals 748.2 metres. The total length makes 2065 metres. The width of tunnels varies from 8 to 19 metres. Total area of surface that is being covered with asphalt comprises 110,000 m2. Once the project has been completed, the traffic density will grow considerably at the area named Galaba square. The complex will help to considerably solve the problem of traffic jams in the capital.

In general, Akkord Corporation mobilized a group of experts, about 400 workers and 40 units of special equipment for performance of operations at Galaba square.