UAE | Traffic and Transport

Funding for Abu Dhabi metro approved

Abu Dhabi-Dubai and Mafraq-Ghuwaifat roads also get go-ahead

  • By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
  • Published: 00:00 January 30, 2012
  • Gulf News

Metro dazzle
  • Image Credit: Syed Burhan Iqbal
  • Most of the proposed network is expected to be underground. Picture for illustrative purpose only.

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has approved funding for a metro and light-rail transit system, the new Abu Dhabi-Dubai road and the Mafraq-Ghuwaifat road to the Saudi border, a spokesman for the Department of Transport said.

Further details about the projects' budgets, designs and completion dates will be released soon, according to the spokesman.

The Abu Dhabi Metro, which will run approximately 131km and be supported by tram and bus feeder, is set to be operational by 2016-17.

Besides serving the projected increase in the capital's population and relieving congestion, the metro will mainly connect the proposed Central Business District with Sowwah Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Masdar, the Capital City District, Emerald Gateway, Zayed Sports City and Adnec.

Most of the proposed network is expected to be underground.

The monorail track (which is part of the metro project) is expected to be 31km long. Each station is expected to handle 1,000 commuters. The monorail might also include 15 two-coach trains and five-minute intervals between each service train and another.

Abu Dhabi Metro would be linked to the Dubai Metro and other cities in the UAE and to other GCC states.

A second main road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is planned to provide a second strategic connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It will link with the existing Emirates Road at the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai onto the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Road (E22) near Baniyas, and on the Al Ain truck route at E30. The DoT also proposes a pilot project along the rest of E12 from E11 to the proposed E311. The road is to be developed as a ‘green' road.

Comments (9)

  1. Added 17:34 January 30, 2012

    The proposed rail system linking all emirates in UAE extending to Saudi border is the most awaited revolutionary development project. i am sure this will keep more than 50% of cars off of Abu dhabi city roads. This will help controll emission to a large extend. It will create tensionless/ stressless movement of public from one place to other peacefully. Thanks to the vision of leaders ruling this country.

    P. NARAYANAN, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 16:59 January 30, 2012

    simply wonderful , being an expat , i love this country and consider it my home !

    Paolo, sy, Italy

  3. Added 15:08 January 30, 2012

    This is an very exciting news. This will be a great boost to already progressive Abu Dhabi economy. Master plan as advertised will link all the important corners of Abu Dhabi. U.A.E. will be fast developping economy on the worldmap very soon. Thanks to the foresight.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 14:36 January 30, 2012

    It will open doors for thousands of opportunities for expats as well as for UAE nationals. It is also a dream of many Railway construction professionals to join this prestigious Metro Project.

    Mohammad Meraj, Doha, Qatar

  5. Added 12:12 January 30, 2012

    Need to connect Sharjah Dubai by metro at least from Sharjah to Dubai Police Head quarter Metro station to avoid the daily traffic from Sharjah to Dubai

    QADEER , DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 11:39 January 30, 2012

    even i am not an emirati or arb,i would like to see uae on the top of the world.

    Anonymous, sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 11:29 January 30, 2012

    Several readers have requested in the past to Gulf News: when you report a news or a Government announcement about new roads, you have to publish the map or intended map, so readers have a better understanding of the information. Somehow your newspaper seems to miss this point every time. Same goes for the proposed 'new road' between Abudhabi and Dubai. You should show at least a conceptual map, if not the actual design. Thanks

    R.Vasudevan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 10:59 January 30, 2012

    This is a very nice project, I think the metro in Dubai is VERY nice and convenient, I think this is sad that the metro in Abu Dhabi will be underground. Nevertheless it will be very useful

    Anonymous, France, France, Metropolitan

  9. Added 09:49 January 30, 2012

    I hope they will expedite this project as thousands of people will be given this kind of ease....especially the route from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back...

    Melissa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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