Islamic Cairo is the throbbing heart of Egypt, centre of beauty, history and the minaret of the Islamic world over hundred of years. Over two centuries (969-1171), this part of Cairo posed as the capital of the Islamic Empire under the Fatimid state since chosen as such by al-Moezz lidin Illah.
Since then, Islamic Cairo, with its Azhar mosque, minarets, markets, gates, architecture and walls has been the pearl of the Islamic world.

This historical area is now regaining its youth through comprehensive development projects currently in full swing. Restoration works for nearby areas are carried while underground tunnels have been completed. Al-Azhar vehicular tunnels are a major component of the cultural development project for Fatimid Cairo so as to keep it as an international tourist site that encompasses monuments reminiscent of fragrance of our glorious history.

Al-Azhar vehicular tunnels transfer car traffic from surface to the underground. It, therefore, frees al-Azhar street and areas around it from cars, allowing pedestrians and tourists to enjoy freely the sight of the great Islamic monuments.
Both tunnels were designed and constructed according to the latest international technical and environmental specifications and standards, including safety and security for both motorists and buildings lying above the tunnels course. Recommendations issued by scientific seminars held in the course of construction were also taken into account. A major target of the project was to eliminate environmental or audio-visual pollution.

Project Components
The project consists of two vehicular tunnels; each 2.655 km long, extending from Salah Salem road east Cairo to downtown Cairo? Opera square. Each tunnel is a one-way, 2-lane road. In addition to both tunnels, the project consists of:
- Four huge ventilation stations for both tunnels as follows: " Salah Salem, Al-Hussein, Port Said, Al-Ataba". The ventilation stations are equipped with suction fans and attenuators.
- Emergency slide exits spaced at intervals 100 m each, to be used to carry motorists in emergency cases from tunnel level to the nearest ventilation station and then to surface level.
- Off-carriageway parking bays, spaced at intervals of 100 m each, where broken down cars can be towed, thus avoiding disruption of traffic flow.
- Maintenance staircases spaced at intervals of 200 m each, can be used by maintenance staff to make regular maintenance work in the tunnels as well as in cases of emergency.
- Linkages are provided for use in emergency cases at sites of ventilation stations in al-Hussein and Port- Said (and both access wells for jumbo excavators), allowing service and rescue cars to move between both tunnels.
Four main electric supply station, in addition to a standby station as a fifth source consisting of 4 electric switch-over generators, automatically operated, in case of main power failure.

- Five dewatering stations at the ventilation stations (ad-Darrassa, al-Hussein, Port Said and al-Ataba). Water leaking into the tunnels as a result of rain or washing is collected through side gutters and then pumped up to the main drainage system.
- A central control facility at ad-Darrassa ventilation station, where information and data from measuring and alarm systems, traffic lights and closed TV. circuits are collected and analysed and suitable decisions for managing and operating both tunnels, are made 24 hours a day.
- Emergency staircases at all ventilation installations and access wells.
- Emergency elevators in ventilation stations in ad-Darrassa, al-Hussein and Port Said.

Ventilation System
The system consists of the latest equipment with advanced technology, to guarantee safety, security and optimal operating conditions for both tunnels. This is to achieve two basic objectives:

First:
to maintain a level of air purity in both tunnels that complies with world health standards under all operating conditions including total stoppage in the tunnel.

Second:
to have a ventilation system capable of drawing out smoke in case of fire through 4 common ventilation stations of both tunnels.
Control Systems
There are 6 control systems:
- A control system on both entries.
- Monitoring closed TV circuit system through cameras spaced along the tunnel at intervals 120 meters each. Monitoring is carried out through screens inside the control room.
- Integrated light signal system inside and outside both tunnels including all entrances and exits. In addition, there are signs for alternative routes in cases of traffic congestion inside or outside both tunnels.
- Luminance measuring system.
- Traffic data collection system.
- An internal public address system to direct motorists in emergencies.
Technical Design and Construction Precautions
The National Authority for Tunnels has taken all necessary precautions to avoid any weaknesses especially in relation to environmental or technical issues. Intensive studies by experts, engineers and consulting offices were carried out. Technical, engineering specifications and economic consideration were fully examined and taken into account at all stages of design and construction. This was exemplified in the following procedures:
- Selecting the optimal course for both tunnels.
- Selecting the best locations and methods for ventilation and dewatering stations, electric supply and operation control.
- Selecting the best systems related to ventilation and control of traffic movement, operation, management and rescue in cases of emergency.
- Using the latest world technologies in construction or safeguarding tunnel body after construction, together with all works related to safety and security.
- Using and implementing all technical and engineering precautions necessary to ensure the utmost possible safety for monumental buildings and utilities during the movement of the excavator nearby or beneath them without any negative effect.
- Preparing a traffic study for road network around both tunnels and in the down-town area.

Traffic planning for adjoining area
A traffic study was prepared so as to analyze traffic through the adjoining streets in the down-town area to avoid traffic jams at convergence points with the surface road network. Main cross-roads were adjusted to cope with expected traffic volume in the area. Both tunnels were opened for traffic in mid-October 2001,in the context Egypt? celebrations of the 28th anniversary of the October 1973 war. The illustrous project is indeed a significant addition to the already voluminous record of achievements in the infrastructure sector under President Mubarak.