Abu Dhabi focuses on infrastructure

Building a city for the future requires a top-notch transportation system, and to that end, $5 billion (Dh18.3 billion) has been spent this year on transportation infrastructure projects, a top municipality official said in the capital on Monday.

This spending was made to create a sustainable and integrated transport network that reflects the population and infrastructure growth of the emirate, Ahmad Sharif, Undersecretary of the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the International Roads Federation Regional Congress, where road design and safety experts met with traffic and municipality officials to discuss ways to improve the transportation and infrastructure system of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Speaking at the congress, Sharif listed some of the major projects that were completed in the capital this year.

"This year has seen the opening of the iconic Shaikh Zayed Bridge, which will ease traffic congestion for commuters. It has also seen the inauguration of the upgraded Al Mafraq Bridge, which will improve Abu Dhabi's link with the northern emirates and Western Region," he said.

Sharif also said that many other projects were also still under way across the emirate, including the soon-to-be-completed Al Salam Street project in the capital, the Northern Circular road project in Al Ain, and the Telal Liwa access road in the Western Region.

"We are building for the future, so a new port, an expanded airport and a proposed rail link between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and beyond are all in various stages of development," he added.

With regard to parking solutions in Abu Dhabi city, Sharif said the DMA was currently working with the Department of Transport to curb offenders in residential areas, and to move car rental and showrooms outside the city.

The two-day congress which kicked off on Monday also saw the presence of various other municipality officials, who discussed future projects all over Abu Dhabi.

Road widening complete

The Abu Dhabi Municipality on Monday announced the completion of the Bani Yas-Al Heelieh road widening project. The project, which was begun in 2008, involved the widening of the 14.63-km road, and included the construction of a 775-metre subway linking Al Shamkha East and Al Shamkha.

In addition, the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road was linked with the Abu Dhabi-Suwaihan Road in order to ensure the smooth flow of traffic between Al Falah, Al Shamkhah, Al Maazzaz, Al Shawamekh and Bani Yas residential districts. An interchange was also constructed on Suwaihan Road (parallel to the road) to ease the crossing towards Bani Yas Graveyard while protecting the utility, gas and petrol lines in the area.