Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) said work has started on the 50-km-long Madinat Zayed-Al Marfa motorway project and is likely to be completed by the first quarter of 2019.

The Dh653-million ($178 million) project is part of the Abu Dhabi Plan seeking to provide an effective transport system serving the community and economy, reported the state news agency Wam.

It is one of many others included in the 2016-2021 strategic plan of the Department of Transport in the western region, aiming to develop world-class infrastructure and construct road and transport networks.

The new motorway linking Madinat Zayed to Al Marfa will facilitate movement of people and goods between the two cities as well as serve the main road network in the western region of Abu Dhabi, said the report.

The project involves construction of a two-lane dual carriageway,  road lighting, an upper interchange, three under-crossings for U-turns, turnaround and crossing of wild animals, and construction of four ducts and three utility protection bridges, it added.

Confirming its commitment to the best green and sustainability standards by having in place best practices to preserve natural resources and protect the environment, Musanada said that the project will include LED (light-emitting diode) lighting to reduce energy consumption by at least 60 per cent.

Under-crossings will also be constructed to avoid accidents involving the running over of local wildlife, in addition to the construction of a fence to protect the road from loose sand, significantly reducing the number of accidents and ensuring traffic safety, it added.