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Plan for Jebel Ali Airport City rail, road network underway

DUBAI — Planning for an integrated road and rail transportation network to support Jebel Ali Airport City facilities, including Jebel Ali International Airport (JXB) and Dubai Logistics City (DLC) is under way.

Key Dubai government officials and private sector executives have met to agree on the creation of a steering committee, which will co-ordinate the various parties involved in the project's transportation requirements.

When completed, Jebel Ali Airport City will be host to 900,000 residents and workers. With JXB, the world's biggest airport estimated to handle 120 million passengers per year and DLC, the world's first integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platform, at its core, Jebel Ali Airport City's mega traffic requirements will be streamlined with Dubai's overall future transportation needs.

"With other major developments already taking shape in the Jebel Ali area, and more on the drawing board, we need to ensure that a seamless co-operation exists between different projects' contractors, Dubai Municipality and the Department of Civil Aviation to successfully complete the challenging task presented by the creation of a whole new city," said Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin, director engineering & projects, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.

Official transportation plans include the development of a 160kms network of main roads within Jebel Ali Airport City to support public traffic and a unique system dedicated to the specific needs of DLC and JXB measuring a total of 90kms.

Phase one of the 140 square kilometres Jebel Ali Airport City - the size of Manhattan - will be completed in September 2007. It will include a 4,500 metres runway for DLC, a cargo terminal, a small passenger terminal and executive jet facilities. DLC will have its own unique, dedicated, modern road system, which will separate professional logistics maximising the freedom to do business.

There are also recommendations for a major ring road which will circumvent Jebel Ali International Airport (JXB) and an elevated dual three-lane road erected between DLC and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz).

A major artery linking the different Jebel Ali Airport City components with major roads will also be constructed. Plans also include an 11kms extension of the Dubai Light Rail project from Jafz to JXB and 55kms express railway link between JXB and Dubai International Airport to handle both passengers and cargo. A total of four interchanges on Emirates Road are also in the planning stages.

"This is a highly challenging task which needs to be right from the outset to safeguard the long-term viability of the new facility and the prosperity of those who choose it for residential or business purposes," he said.

Dubai Municipality officials said that next steps would include the creation of a detailed transportation study for the Jebel Ali area's road network, taking into consideration the current landscape and the future developments taking shape off the coast.