Abu Dhabi: The makeover of one of the capital city’s oldest residential areas, Al Zahiyah, will include the construction of four new bridges linking it to Al Maryah Island, the Abu Dhabi Municipality announced on Sunday.
The Dh248 million project in the area formerly known as Tourist Club Area began in January 2017, and is expected to continue till summer 2018. In addition to the new bridges, the project will also improve traffic flow at nine intersections in the area, especially the junctions near Abu Dhabi Mall.
According to the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, which regulates the urban sector and oversees municipal activities, infrastructure in the neighbourhood will be enhanced through the project, and this will, in turn, support further development in the area. The project is being undertaken by the Municipality in collaboration with public facilities management firm Musanada.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Municipality said Al Firdous Street and 10th Street, as well as all their junctions, are being redesigned. Internal sectors between the two streets will also be made one-way in order to reduce traffic congestion. As reported by Gulf News earlier this year, 10th Street, which passes by Abu Dhabi Mall and the Beach Rotana Hotel, has been closed off to traffic since March 2017, and Al Firdous Street has been designed to accommodate vehicles travelling in both directions.
Pedestrian paths and cycling tracks will then be built across 126,400 square metres. The development work also comprises the rebuilding of pavements and access ways, and the standardisation of building entry points.
Al Zahiyah area has long faced a severe shortage of parking spaces. Despite the high population density in the neighbourhood, there are only about 4,800 parking bays available. This upgrade will therefore increase this by an additional 2,048 parking spaces.
In addition, LED lights will replace the conventional street lamps used at present, allowing for electricity savings of 60 per cent.
Upon completion, Al Zahiyah area is expected to be able to accommodate the movement of 4,800 vehicles per hour, instead of the current capacity of 4,300 vehicles per hour. Public spaces will also increase from 8,300 square metres to 14,200 square metres.
Acknowledging the inconvenience caused by construction works to motorists and residents, the Municipality has assured that the project that began at the start of this year (2017) will be completed within the agreed upon 540-day deadline.
