Abu Dhabi linked to Saadiyat Island via new bridge

The Sheikh Khalifa Bridge

A new 10-lane, 1.4km-long bridge has opened connecting Abu Dhabi to Saadiyat Island in what has been called a major milestone in the emirate's infrastructure.

Opened along with a 27-km expressway by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Khalifa Bridge will serve as a major gateway to Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) said, "The Sheikh Khalifa Bridge highlights a major achievement in the progress of Abu Dhabi as Saadiyat Island is set to become one of the world's leading destinations.

"We anticipate large numbers of visitors with the upcoming opening of distinctive museums and other highly prominent tourism attractions on Saadiyat and we are certain that the bridge and expressway will be pivotal to its success," he added.

The bridge is part of 'Plan Abu Dhabi 2030' which recognises the importance of transport in shaping the future of the emirate's metropolitan area.

Speaking to AME Info, Eng. Faisal Ahmed Al Suwaidi, General Director, Highways for the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi said, "The timely completion of this highly vital and strategic project bears witness to the commitment of all parties involved to achieve its set-for goals; to make Abu Dhabi's transport infrastructure world-class while helping raise the profile of both the economic and urban environment of the Emirate in line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and its strategic objectives."

Sheikh Khalifa Bridge is one of the largest infrastructure developments in Abu Dhabi, and has been constructed using approximately 15,000 tons of asphalt and 15,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel. More than 1,300 people and a total of more than 7.5 million man hours were dedicated to the completion of the bridge and the expressway, work on which commenced in December 2006 and December 2008 respectively.

Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties built the majority part of the expressway and have previously worked on projects such as the Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Island. The new expressway actually continues to the Yas Island development.

Ahmed Al Sayegh, chairman of Aldar, said: "This infrastructure project is central to our commitment to contribute to the development of the Emirate as set out in the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030."

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