December 8, 2024

The Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project is a landmark development under the Al Layyah waterfront initiative in Sharjah, UAE. Overseen by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, the project connects Khalid Lagoon to the Arabian Gulf, facilitating improved water flow and revitalization of the lagoon. This expansive project spans a construction area of 210,000 m², featuring two bridges and a 60-meter wide, 850-meter long new water canal. Al Marwan Machinery has played a significant role in realizing this ambitious project by supplying a huge rental fleet of specialized heavy machinery throughout the canal and the two bridges construction phases, effectively overcoming various challenges along the way.

rental fleet ranging from crawler cranes wheel loaders
A diverse rental fleet ranging from crawler cranes with long lattice booms to large wheel loaders.

A Wide Range of Specialized Heavy Machinery in the Project’s Construction Works

Excavation and Foundation Works 

The foundation of any large-scale construction project is the excavation and earthworks phase. At the peak of the Al Layyah Canal project, 21 excavators were in operation, primarily focusing on the 60-meter wide mass excavation, which involved moving 413,000 m³ of rocky soil. A large excavators from renowned brands like Kobelco, CAT, and Komatsu, known for their efficiency and power, were instrumental in this phase and were able to handle the demanding excavation tasks.
In addition, ABI piling rigs were used for foundation drilling works during the construction phase of the two bridges.

SK500 Kobelco excavator in action during Al Layyah Construct
The SK500 Kobelco excavator in action during the excavation works for Al Layyah Canal.

Earthworks and Traffic Management

One of the primary challenges was the diversion of existing utilities and ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow. The heavy machinery used needed to be precise and reliable. Large CAT dozers like the D8T and Komatsu dozers including the mighty D475A were crucial in managing and preparing the site for utility diversions, while Volvo articulated dump trucks, primarily Volvo A40G dump trucks, efficiently transported excavated material away from the site. The coordination of these machines ensured that the project could progress without major disruptions to the surrounding areas.

Large Komatsu D475A dozer
Large Komatsu D475A dozer is operated for large-scale earthmoving tasks in GCC.

Bridge Construction

The construction of two bridges over the new canal required specialized heavy machinery. The installation of concrete girders for the bridges was a critical task, handled by 250-ton and 750 ton cranes. These massive cranes had the lifting capacity needed to place precast girders accurately, with 12 cranes, including crawler and mobile variants, deployed during peak construction phases. 

Those looking to invest in machinery such as the Japanese Kobelco crawler cranes can buy crawler cranes to provide the necessary lifting power for large infrastructure projects.

bridge construction using heavy-duty cranes
During the bridge construction process using heavy-duty cranes. 

Marine Works

The marine works component of the project involved significant use of heavy machinery for the construction of quay walls and other waterfront structures. Special cranes were utilized to place quay wall blocks, some weighing over 30 tons, under restricted height conditions. This required precision and reliability, attributes found in the top leading machinery brands used on-site. The marine works also included extreme duty excavation into the water using long-boom excavators such as the Komatsu PC400 and Kobelco SK850 operated to construct the canal in the required deep length.

Komatsu PC850 long-reach excavator
The Komatsu PC850 long-reach excavator, efficient for beach and foreshore projects.

Constructional Benefits of the Al Layyah Canal

The completion of the Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project brings several constructional benefits to Sharjah:

1- Improved Water Flow: The canal promotes better flushing of the Khalid Lagoon, enhancing water quality and marine life health.
2- Enhanced Connectivity: The new bridges provide better connectivity within Sharjah, reducing traffic congestion and improving accessibility.
3- Economic Growth: The waterfront development is expected to boost tourism and local businesses, contributing to Sharjah’s economic growth.
4- Infrastructure Development: The project enhances the city’s infrastructure, providing modern amenities and improved public spaces.

diverse heavy machinery
Al Marwan’s fleet of heavy equipment while working for Al Layyah Canal in Sharjah.

Reliable Construction Machinery Rental Solutions

The success of the Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project represents a model that involved operating high-quality heavy machinery hiring. For companies working on similar large-scale projects, investing in reliable and efficient rented heavy equipment can make a big difference. Whether you need like-new large dozers and wheel loaders for construction projects or articulated dump trucks and crushers for quarry and aggregate tasks, our heavy equipment rental fleet has you covered, meeting all your project requirements.

Al Layyah Canal in Sharjah, UAE
Al Layyah Canal after finishing the construction tasks.

The Al Layyah Canal and Bridges project in Sharjah stands as a testament to the critical role of heavy machinery in modern construction. The use of advanced equipment from leading brands ensured the project’s success, overcoming numerous challenges and delivering significant benefits to the region. Companies seeking to undertake similar projects can invest in high-quality heavy machinery available at Al Marwan Machinery to achieve efficiency, reliability, and overall project success.

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