The Abu Dhabi General Services Company, Musanada, has started construction on the Madinat Zayed–Al Marfa road project, a 50km motorway linking the two urban centres in the emirate’s Western Region.
The AED653 million ($177.7m) project, which falls under the objectives of the Department of Transport’s 2016-2021 strategic plan, seeks to provide an effective transport system serving the community and economy, facilitate movement of people and goods between the two cities, and serve as the backbone of the road network in the area, according to a report by WAM, the UAE’s official news agency.
“The project involves construction of a two-lane dual carriageway, road lighting, an upper interchange, three under-crossings for U-turns, turnarounds and crossings for wild animals, and construction of four ducts and three utility protection bridges,” said Hamad Al Murar, Musanada’s acting CEO.
“Works are planned to be completed during Q1 of 2019, according to the plan developed by Musanada in line with highest international standards and specifications.”
Faisal Ahmed Al Suwaidi, general director of Main Roads at the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport, said the motorway was important as a shortcut linking Madinat Zayed to Al Marfa and reducing journey time. It also forms an important part of the strategic road network that interconnects cities in Abu Dhabi emirate and provides advanced road services in the western region, while maintaining international engineering standards and specifications and observing road safety and security, he told the agency.
Musanada said the project will include LED lighting to reduce energy consumption by at least 60%. Under-crossings will also be designed to avoid accidents involving the running over of local wildlife, while a fence will protect the road from loose sand to reduce accidents and ensure traffic safety.