Abu Dhabi: The first phase of the light-rail tram (LRT) system, which will serve areas within Abu Dhabi city and areas close to the metro, will be operational by 2014, a senior official said on Tuesday.
"The 340-kilometre tram system is part of an ambitious and far-reaching Surface Transport Master Plan that will meet the people's and economy's mobility needs as part of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030," Hashim Al Hashemi, director of the Public Transport Department at the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, said.
He said the Abu Dhabi master transport plan 2030 includes 580 kilometres of High Speed Railway Lines, 340 kilometres of LRT system and 130 kilometres of metro system.
The railway will serve Abu Dubai and will also provide vital links to Dubai, Al Ain, the Western Region and Saudi Arabia. The study for the inter-emirate rail system will start next year.
The LRT system will serve areas within Abu Dhabi city and the metro will link the airport with the central business district and other important areas. Areas close to the metro will be served by trams.
The current population of Abu Dhabi is 900,000 and it is expected to increase to 3.2 million by 2030. At present, daily personal trips of people on roads are 1.2 million a day and the number will increase to 5.4 million personal trips a day by 2030 with the current ratio.
Abu Dhabi received 1.8 million tourists last year and the number is set to increase to 7.9 million by 2030.
Al Hashemi said the department will work closely with the selected consultant to assess the feasibility of tram lines and the financial viability for the project, along with models of the initial design of the tram network and stations, vehicle size and technical specifications.
The study will be conducted over 18 months.
He said he believes the light rail transit/tram system is considered to be one of the most important means of public transport for the capital, thanks to large capacity, cost and energy efficiency, and ability to operate in densely populated areas.
Al Hashemi said the first phase of the metro will be 42.5 kilometres long and it will be ready to operate by 2015.
The track for the first metro line would be 2.13 kilometres at grade track (ground level), 4.91 kilometres elevated, 16.2 kilometres cut and cover tunnel and 19.26 kilometres in the bored tunnels.
The Department of Transport is working on the 2030 Action Plan and it would be implemented in phases as each five-year period has specific targets.
"The existing road network will reach its capacity by 2015 and will not be able to cope with the transport needs of increasing number of population without the rail network with a combination of improved road network, public transport buses, marine transport and implementation of other policies," Al Hashemi said.
Your comments
Excellent!! Certainly such great projects would fetch fantastic changes to our life.
Salim Cholamukath
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 18:40
Excellent project! It will reduce the cummuting load as well as increase the luxury in transportation. We proud on the efforts which our Rulers are putting to make the life in UAE as the best in he world.
Rizwan Ahmad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 18:34
It's really great news. It will make easier the life of the residents of Abu Dhabi.
Riaz Ali Khan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 16:34
Fantastic, i am sure this decision will totally change the face of the capital . Best wishes to Abu Dhabi government, we pray to achieve the goal
Jaafar Velome
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 14:27
Very Good plan. An integrated transport system. As a person coming from a country where trams are in place, I would like to say that it will have a heavy toll on the human lives unless people are educated to practice common coutersy and safe driving habits.
Nisha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 13:32
Really we can proud with this news and UAE leaders go ahead to develop UAE and to be ONE of the best country in World
Sbadr
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 13:05
Best Wishes to the Government of Abu Dhabi and the residents for the upcoming new projects that will transform the whole city and help the residents.
Koshy
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 11:00
Excellent Plan for the residents of Abu Dhabi, from the year 2015, more relax transportation will be benefical for the people... thanx
manju
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 29, 2009, 10:50
