Abu Dhabi: Construction began on a new underground three-storey parking facility in Abu Dhabi that can accommodate over 800 vehicles and covers a total area of 8,300 square metres, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Transport (DoT).
The spokesperson added that the project, located in Sector 11 East between Al Falah Street and Baniyas Street near the Ministry of Finance, Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council and the Department of Economic Development (DED), was set to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
The new Dh120 million structure will provide additional parking to cater to the needs of the capital’s growing population and urban expansion.
The new project will add three storeys of underground parking in addition to surface parking. Through this project, the DoT aims to increase the capacity and number of parking spaces in Abu Dhabi, while providing multiple services within the facility in accordance with the highest standards in safety and comfort for the public.
The parking facility will have three elevators equipped with a high-tech security system, CCTV and round-the-clock security surveillance, while Mawaqif inspectors will supervise the parking area. The facility will also have a dedicated parking section next to the entrance of the building to accommodate people with special needs. The parking has been designed in a rectangular shape to facilitate movement into and out of the building. In addition, the facility will also offer energy efficiency through the use of environment-friendly technologies.
Parking guide
A parking guide system will be in place to simplify the search for a parking space through the use of green and red lights.
The parking complex will also feature recreational facilities, including a park for families with a children’s playarea and a basketball court as part of surface parking. Future plans also may include a mosque.
Residents in Abu Dhabi say finding a parking space is still a frustrating exercise, particularly in areas like Tourist Club and Khalidiya.
“Finding a parking space poses a problem daily and [is] a frustrating exercise despite being a subscriber to the paid parking scheme,” Mahmoud Ali, a teacher who lives in Tourist Club Area, said.
He suggested setting up a number of robotic parking systems in Abu Dhabi’s densely populated centres.
Government nod
The Abu Dhabi Executive Council (Adec) has approved the construction of five multi-storey parking facilities in the capital. The approval was given at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board at Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture, and member of the Executive Council, on January 23.
The parking facilities will be constructed in densely populated neighbourhoods and areas that experience heavy traffic such as the Corniche, Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Khalid Bin Al Waleed-Al Nasr Road junction and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street-Al Najda Street junction. The parking facilities can be dismantled and used for multiple purposes.
