02/10/2026 15:43 AST
Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced that it is set to complete the first phase of AED2.85 billion ($776 million) Mid-Island Parkway project in 2027.
The Phase I will create an eight-lane dual carriageway linking Saadiyat Island with Umm Yifeenah Island and is expected to cut travel times to Reem Island and Abu Dhabi's main island to about 10 minutes from 25 minutes, the DMT said.
The project includes 2km of reclaimed land protected by 150,000 sq m of rock armour, while a further 1.5 km of the route runs through an underground channel, including a 600-m underwater section beneath Khor Laffan, said a statement from DMT.
The phase also includes 4km of walking and cycling tracks, extending the existing network to a continuous 12-km route across Saadiyat Island and Umm Yifeenah Island, it stated.
According to DMT, the project incorporates sustainability measures including the use of locally-sourced and recycled materials, 23,000m of energy-efficient smart lighting and drought-resistant landscaping supported by a 14,000-m irrigation system.
The first phase builds on an existing highway along Saadiyat Island that provides access to Saadiyat Lagoons, Saadiyat Marina District and New York University Abu Dhabi, among other destinations, it stated.
The DMT is also developing a second phase of the Mid-Island Parkway, which will extend the corridor 14.5 km from Umm Yifeenah Island through Bilrimaid and Samaliyah islands to Sas Al Nakhl, Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City.
This phase will have four lanes in each direction and is expected to cut travel times across the mid-island corridor to about seven minutes.
It will include walking and cycling tracks, marine bridges, elevated flyovers and an underwater road tunnel designed to minimise disruption to mangroves, salt marshes and coastal habitats, it added.
Eisa Mubarak Al Mazrouei, director general of infrastructure development at the DMT, said the Mid-Island Parkway was designed to support the emirate's liveability as well as sectors including tourism, trade and logistics.
Once fully operational, the Mid-Island Parkway is expected to reduce travel times across Abu Dhabi, with the journey between Saadiyat Island and Zayed City projected to take less than 15 minutes, the DMT said.
The department also showcased plans for a 37-km coastal route linking Al Hudayriyat Island with the E11 at Al Nouf. The three-lane-per-direction route will include a tunnel, 7km of marine bridges and 4km of causeways, connecting Al Dhafra with Al Hudayriyat and Abu Dhabi islands via Halat Al Bahrani, Al Futaisi and Al Aryam islands.
The coastal route is intended to provide a bypass around central Abu Dhabi traffic for freight and commuters and will include animal crossings and environmental safeguards around the Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Area and Ramsar wetland.
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