Abu Dhabi: Work started Sunday on building two new exits and two roundabouts on the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in the capital in a bid to ease traffic congestion especially during peak hours.
The Department of Transport (DoT) announced yesterday (Saturday) that the project will be implemented in two phases, the first of which will be completed by the first quarter next year. No date was given for the completion of the second phase of the project.
Although the surrounding Al Maqta area and Abu Dhabi Gate City will see a number of roadworks, the DoT said building of the current project in two phases will avoid traffic congestion.
In the first phase an exit from Khaleej Al Arabi Street as well as a roundabout to facilitate traffic to and from Al Maqta area will be constructed. The second part will include the creation of another roundabout and an exit to Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Abu Dhabi Gate City.
Eng Faisal Ahmad Al Suwaidi, General Director of Main Roads at the Department, said: “Al Maqta Area and Abu Dhabi Gate City project, once completed, will allow motorists a wide spectrum of benefits such as smoother and better traffic, less congestion and higher safety standards.”
“The department has undertaken several studies to guarantee that the best possible approaches are adopted in order to preserve the area’s aesthetic and cultural landmarks whilst traffic is maintained unaffected during the whole duration of work. The implementation of the project in different phases ensures that neither traffic congestion nor road detouring is needed,” he added.
The Al Maqta area and Abu Dhabi Gate City project is being carried out with a number of partners including Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Urban Planning Council, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Sewage Service Company, and Traffic Control Centre.
Formerly recognised as the ‘Between the Two Bridges’ area, Al Maqta is currently one of Abu Dhabi’s most vital regions and holds some of the capital’s most important tourism, culture and urban monuments, namely, Al Maqta Castle, Al Maqta Bridge as well as Shaikh Zayed Bridge.
Currently known as Abu Dhabi Gate City and located after the Musaffah Bridge away from the inner city and off Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, the area is a connecting point between Mohammad Bin Zayed City, Khalifa City A and the Capital District.
The first phase of the project, Al Maqta Area enhancements, is planned to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.
