Stirling Lloyd, a leading UK manufacturer of coatings for the protection of infrastructure and buildings, said it has been selected to provide waterproofing for the new Lusail Tunnel that forms part of the $30-billion integrated transportation system in Qatar.

The tunnel - and troughs to be constructed from Spring 2017 - will carry both road traffic and light rail, said the company in a statement.

Stirling Lloyd said its Integritank system is being used to waterproof 77,416 sq m of the new tunnel.

The cut-and-cover tunnel will open in Spring 2017 and will ensure easy access to the new Lusail City development from the heart of Doha and will be a vital transport link for the planned 2022 Fifa World Cup games.

On the win, James Hopper, the regional sales manager (Middle East) said: "Faced with challenging ground conditions and a fast-track construction programme, the ease, speed and effectiveness of the Integritank fully bonded, seamless waterproofing system was integral to the success of the project."

“For the client, it had also been important to have the reassurance of the system’s efficiency before beginning work. As Stirling Lloyd had already completed several other similar projects in the area, it was a natural decision to choose Integritank when further protecting the investment in the region’s below-ground infrastructure," he stated.

The overall Lusail City Development, located 15 km north of Doha, covers a 38-sq-km site, which includes 25,000 residential units, housing 175,000 people, all of whom will benefit from the Lusail Tunnel project.

The development will also generate significant economic diversification as it is set to strengthen Qatar’s tourism sector, said Hopper.

The construction of this new underground infrastructure faced challenging ground conditions and fast-track construction programmes due to an aggressive and high water table.

Following a number of projects where un-bonded waterproofing systems had leaked on other Lusail sites, the client Lusail Real Estate Development Company (LREDC) was focused on pushing the boundaries and performance of waterproofing to set new standards on their projects, he stated.

Past tunnel projects within the GCC including the Yas tunnel and Bainuna Street in the UAE, further proved Stirling Lloyd’s capabilities to meet the specialist needs of underground waterproofing, working together with experienced authorised contractor, Intertectra Qatar.

Established for over 40 years, Stirling Lloyd develops and manufactures products for use in the protection of wide range of infrastructure projects - from bridge deck and structural waterproofing, car-park refurbishment to skid resistant surfacing, roofing, tanking and lining.

The company pioneered the use of cold, spray-applied waterproofing systems, revolutionising performance and ease and safety of application.-TradeArabia News Service