Abu Dhabi Corniche named best civil engineering design

The beautification of the capital's waterfront, the Corniche, has won an international award for best civil engineering design. The project was carried out by the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department as the first phase of a Dh200 million plan to develop the area. The first phase was completed in December 1998.

This is the second international award that the Town Planning Department has won in a month, a Municipality official said. The project that involved construction of four pedestrian underpasses, widening of the road and landscaping was judged the best engineering design among several projects worldwide.

The panel of judges from the International Road Federation (IRF) included the World Bank, U.S. Highway Department, Ontario Ministry of Transport and several American engineering universities.

The "2000 Global Road Achievement Award" was presented to the Town Planning Department by Gerald Lee Qia, Manager of the IRF, during a regional road conference recently in Miami, Florida. The IRF said the project features aesthetic and cultural characteristics despite environmental challenges. The portion of Abu Dhabi Corniche developed in the first phase is located between the Baynunah Tower and Hilton Hotel.

The IRF said: "The project was selected for the award not only for the best design but also for being a model for the development of the road industry in the world."

Abdullah Al Kuthiry, head of the Road Section, said the Abu Dhabi Corniche is widely covered by international highway and road association magazines for its greenery, fountains, pavements, subways, car parking and public services. "But what pleases us more is seeing the public enjoy this beautiful facility."

He said the next phase will be more even comprehensive and will improve the flow of traffic. "It will include hundreds of parking spaces and parks."