Rail Transport Key 
to Abu Dhabi Plan

The first phase of the Abu Dhabi Tram project is expected to be completed by 2015, Department of Transport (DoT) officials said on Wednesday during the announcement of the Abu Dhabi Surface Transport Master Plan for 2030.

The trams will support the local transport needs of densely populated areas.

The full tram network with 340km of two-way tracks will provide a wide area of transport coverage, especially the proposed Central Business District including the under-construction island developments of Suwa, Reem and Saadiyat, the proposed Capital City District and the area around Al Raha Beach, Yas Island and the airport.

Tram stops will be located at every 500 metres so that most people will be able reach a stop in not more than a 300-metre walk.

The capital will invite tenders for carrying out the technical and feasibility studies for the project in the next couple of months.

“The first phase of the tram project will be completed in 2015. It will have two tracks,” said Khalid Mohammed Hashim, Director for the Land Transport Department at the DoT.

The official added that tenders for the feasibility and technical studies of the capital’s metro network will be awarded in December this year.

The first phase of the Abu Dhabi Metro will also be completed by 2015.

The metro network will be a 130km-long high-capacity transport system commuting 30,000 passengers per hour per direction. The metro will have way tracks and frequent stations with a main loop connecting the proposed Central Business District with Suwa, Reem, Saadiyat, Yas, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Masdar, Capital City District, Emerald Gateway, Zayed Sports City and ADNEC.

The section of the metro from Abu Dhabi International Airport via the proposed Capital City District along Airport Road and Hamdan Street to the Central Business District Station, and on to Saadiyat via Suwa and Reem Island is planned for completion by 2015 to accommodate the current high-travel demand, said Mohammed Hashim.

A second loop will serve Mohammed bin Zayed City and Capital City District and includes cross-platform interchanges with the main loop.

The stations will be at least three to five kilometres apart from each other, except in the densely populated areas along Hamdan Street and the Capital City District.

A dedicated Airport Express Metro Service will run directly from the Central Business District station, featuring in-town check-in and special train cars for checked-in luggage, he said.

news@khaleejtimec.com