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Butti inaugurates new underpass in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI - The first of 16 new pedestrian underpasses, currently under construction throughout Abu Dhabi,

Was opened yesterday by Shaikh Mohammed bin Butti, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department.

In a statement to the media, Shaikh Butti said: "Pedestrian safety is one of our highest priorities. These underpasses, located where demand is at the highest, allow pedestrians to cross safely and conveniently without disrupting traffic on the surface."

The new underpasses will bring the number of underpasses in Abu Dhabi to 22. Additional underpasses are also in the planning stage.

In addition to the underpass, which was inaugurated yesterday on Salam Street, three more underpasses on Ras Al Nakhil, Airport Road and Hamdan Street will be opened in the coming weeks.

The last of the 16 underpasses is scheduled to be opened in the autumn of this year. "Accident analysis indicates that most traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi involve pedestrians. We are constantly seeking ways to improve safety and so we initiated a comprehensive study to identify the best means of facilitating the pedestrian movement. It was concluded that pedestrian underpasses at mid-blocks locations were the best overall solution," Shaikh Butti said.

Each of the underpasses is approximately 40-metre long, five-metre wide and three-metre high. Interiors are decorated with planters, fountains and ceramic tiles. They include emergency lighting, high-volume ventilation systems and other security features. In order to allow access by the handicapped and families with young children, almost all of the underpasses will have ramps in addition to stairs.

"Underpasses are not the cheapest or easiest solution. We chose pedestrian underpasses over bridges based on a combination of criteria: safety, economics, and aesthetics," said Shaikh Butti.

The underpasses are being constructed using state-of-the-art technology that allows tunnels to be dug without affecting the road overhead. "During their construction, the streets above were not damaged, protecting our investment and traffic flow was not disturbed. They benefit both pedestrians and motorists in terms of safety, accessibility, and convenience.," Shaikh Butti said.