UAE | General
New Dh635m link to Abu Dhabi
A new Dh635 million bridge to improve the flow of traffic to and from Abu Dhabi is in the works.
- By Stanley Carvalho and Shireena Al Nowais, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 March 15, 2004
 Model of the Dh635 million Sheikh Zayed Bridge unveiled at the Road Exhibition. ©Gulf News |
The details of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge or Abu Dhabi Third Crossing were unveiled on the opening day of the International Road Exhibition & Conference (Roadex 2004) yesterday.
The bridge will serve as a crucial link between Abu Dhabi city and the highways to other emirates, notably Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
The bridge, which is expected to be ready in early 2007, will be the third connecting Abu Dhabi island with the mainland, the other two being the Maqta and Mussafah bridges. The striking bridge symbolises the dunes of the desert and it will cross the Maqta channel.
The UAE's infrastructure development is a model not only at the regional level but also at the global level, thanks to the full support of the UAE President, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.
The keynote speech, read by Saeed Saif bin Jaber, added: "The UAE is a prime example of how countries in the region have invested resources and capacities to create a model for sustainable development to serve national economic interests and enhance their regional and global competitiveness."
The second Gulf Road Conference is held concurrently with the Roads Exhibition.
The twin events were inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department on behalf of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The model and design of the gateway bridge, an architectural masterpiece, came in for appreciation by government officials, industry experts and visitors.
The Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction is the main contractor of the project which is the third package of the Dh900 million-plus project.
"Work has been underway at the project since early 2004. As far as bridges go, this is unique, unlike any other in the country," said Jamal Al Hosani, Assistant Director, Design, and Chairman, Managing Committee of Bridges Project.
"The contract was awarded after competitive bidding as it is a prestigious project." The bridge was designed by London-based architect Zaha Hadid.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Ibrahim Abdullah Al Wahabi, General Manager, Road Department, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, said the UAE is examining the feasibility of introducing a magnetic train linking all the emirates to ease the problem of transportation inside the country.
"The government is studying the establishment of a new magnetic train to link all the emirates starting from Ras Al Khaimah and ending at Abu Dhabi. We will soon finalise how to go forward."
Al Wahabi said a similar study is being undertaken in Saudi Arabia although details were sketchy at the moment.
Asked about the usefulness of the magnetic train in the UAE, he said it is cost-effective, works on electricity and is an environment-friendly mode of transport.
Japan and some European countries introduced such trains successfully some years ago to ease the growing transportation problem in their countries.
Al Wahabi said the Ministry launched a 10-year plan in the Northern Emirates in 1999 for development and maintenance of the roads network. The first phase has ended after an investment outlay of around Dh246 million.
The second phase, he said, has just begun this year and will end in 2008. Roadex 2004 will run until Wednesday.
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