Al Ain: First multi-level underground car park opens

Al Ain: The downtown area’s first underground multi-level car park was launched by the Department of Transport (DoT) on Thursday to help ease the growing traffic problems in the city.

The Dh100 million facility has been built with the cooperation of Al Ain City Municipality. The parking area covers more than 9,000 square metres with 424 parking bays. It has some 16 bays for people with special needs. Parking will be free for the first six months, the DoT announced.

Located behind the city’s Souq Al Markazi (Central Market) on Zayed Bin Sultan Street, the building will serve people visiting the main bus terminal, the old fruit and vegetable market, the old market, Al Ain Oasis, the central market and its surrounding areas. The area is close to some of the city’s key attractions such as the National Museum, Al Murabba Fort and the Old Souq.

Mohammad Nasser Al Otaiba, general manager of Abu Dhabi’s paid parking system, Mawaqif, at DoT in Abu Dhabi, said the launch of the facility was in line with DoT’s strategy to optimise transport infrastructure.

“The building has been meticulously designed to allow a smooth flow of traffic in and out of the building. With the requirements of people with special needs in mind,” he said.

He said environmentally friendly and clean technologies have been adopted in the building that will lower the level of energy consumption while offering vehicle owners an efficient air-ventilation system.

Suhail Thani Al Muhairi, from the Infrastructure and Municipal Assets Section of Al Ain Municipality, said the project was part of the Municipality’s endeavours to attain the Al Ain 2030 Vision by promoting the city’s unique aesthetic features.

The Mawaqif building, he said, has taken 18 months to complete. It has four lifts and has been equipped with state-of-the-art security systems such as CCTV and round-the-clock security surveillance as well as firefighting equipment and alarms.

The building’s Parking Guide System will indicate if a parking bay is free if the light is green and occupied if red.

Mawaqif fees of Dh2 per hour and Dh15 for a full day will be applied after the initial six-month period. Drivers have been advised to abide by parking regulations and use the facility to avoid fines.