ABU DHABI // Work will begin later this year on a Dh638 million project to build new roads, interchanges and motorways connecting to Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi Sunday announced plans to improve access to and from the airport’s Midfield Terminal, currently under construction, with the widening of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway, construction of interchanges to the terminal and long-term car park and an underpass for local traffic, as well as special lighting for the section of the motorway below the aircraft approach path.
Construction is due to begin by September, with the road works expected to be finished in time to meet the completion of the Midfield Terminal in June 2017.
With the Abu Dhabi Government planning to triple the number of passengers at the capital’s airport with the addition of the new terminal, which will have a maximum capacity of 40 million people, the DoT aims to accommodate the resulting increase in vehicle traffic with the project.
“We have already expanded the highway in certain areas and with the increase in traffic around the Khalifa City and Al Raha Beach areas the addition of more lanes is needed before the completion of the terminal,” said Khalid Al Suwaidi, surface transport adviser and acting general manager of main roads for DoT.
Mr Al Suwaidi said the first phase of adding two lanes to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway from Al Raha Beach to the Sheikh Khalifa motorway intersection should be completed in two years.
“Traffic disruption during construction of the new interchange has been a major consideration of the planning and although there will be detours we intend to keep the same number of lanes flowing during construction,” he said.
As part of the plans, the roundabout nearest to the airport will be replaced by an underpass providing local traffic with faster and easier access to Yas Island and Al Raha Beach.
Because a section of the motorway runs under the flight path, lower-height street lighting will be added to this stretch so as not to interfere with the guiding lights of the runways.
When asked about the new interchange project’s integration with public transport, Mr Al Suwaidi said it remained to be seen if the planned light rail system would extend to the airport.
“For the ultimate 2030 plan the metro will surely be there, but the completion of our plan is just a few short years away, which may not be enough time to incorporate the metro with the new terminal,” he added.
The DoT airport-connection project is only one of several plans given the green light by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Sunday, which set aside Dh37 billion for investment in the capital.
The council approved road upgrades to include a direct connection between the Abu Dhabi-Al Shahama motorway and the airport while construction of nine new airport aprons, the area where planes are parked, unloaded, boarded or refuelled, was agreed.
A “passenger automated transport system” and a basement tunnel under the southern runway were also given the go-ahead.
The total cost of these projects will be Dh1.65 billion.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
