Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) said about 40 per cent of the road network and interchange of Abu Dhabi International Airport has been done and the project is due for completion in 2017-end.

The Dh677-million ($184 million) project includes the development of the highway interchange of Abu Dhabi International Airport through four 5.6-km single-direction connecting roads (including 4.8km bridges) besides the construction of an underpass leading to Yas Island, and an overpass connecting Yas Island and the Airport City A.

This will also include the widening of the (E10) road from the existing four lanes to five lanes in both directions to a total length of 8 km, the construction of a secondary 3.7-km three-lane road network between Interchange 6 and (E12) road that will connect the Yas Island tunnel to the (E10) road, said a statement from Musanada.

In addition, the road between (E10) and the presidential flight building will be widened from two lanes to dual three lanes in both directions in addition to the construction of a bridge that will serve the presidential flight and Masdar City.

Under the project, a storm water pumping station with the associated drainage network will also be constructed to serve the E12/E10 interchange together with a road lighting network and intersections with traffic lights, it stated.

The move is aimed at enhancing the quality of infrastructure and support the economic development of the emirate and the overall development process in the UAE, remarked Faisal Ahmed Al Suwaidi, the director general of Highways at Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport.

“This project, being constructed in collaboration with Musanada, follows suit several projects which all aim to create a complete and sustainable road system to serve the economic sector of the UAE, fulfill the current and future needs of the community, enhance the quality of life and support the comprehensive development process witnessed by the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” he noted.

Hamdan Ahmed Al Mazrouei, the acting roads director at Musanada, said: "The work on the project is progressing as per the agreed schedule and due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2017 in line with the approved plan and in parallel with the opening of the New Midfield Complex at Abu Dhabi international airport."

"The purpose is to accommodate the expected increase in traffic volume and the constant growth of the numbers of UAE visitors," he added.

According to him, the project, currently being executed in co-operation with Musanada and Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport, aims to connect the new terminal of Abu Dhabi International Airport to the (E10) highway, thus providing a direct access towards Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"It will also involve the widening of Abu Dhabi – Shahama Road (E10) from four to five lanes in both directions and widening the Presidential Flight road to three lanes in both directions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service