ABU DHABI, 25 September 2007 -- Abu Dhabi is planning an ultra-modern transport infrastructure by 2030 in order to cope with emirate's rapid expansion plans.
Government authority estimates that by 2030 the population of Abu Dhabi will more than triple to 3.1 million. To cater to this, the authority plans to build high-speed passenger and freight railways, a metro and a network of light rail lines, streetcars and buses.
It has plans to develop the road network with several highways and redevelop the poorly designed streets.
Outlined in Abu Dhabi's recently published urban structure framework "Plan Abu Dhabi 2030", the authority said it wants to construct a high-speed passenger rail line connecting downtown Abu Dhabi with the newly-proposed Capital District and Abu Dhabi International Airport, and eventually Dubai.
The freight rail line will operate on the same network and will connect the airport and Jebel Ali with other GCC countries.
Abu Dhabi has also plans to build two high-capacity metro lines.
The proposed networks of light rail, streetcar and buses will have dedicated lanes that run down the city's wide boulevards. The transportation network should include a high-speed lane separating different destination.
As the city planners encourage people to walk, especially when it comes to short distances, they will give top priority to improve the streetscapes. It will also maximize pedestrian safety and comfort.
They also consider providing a variety of interconnected transportation choices as alternatives to the automobile (transit, ferries, bicycle and pedestrian pathways). The point is to prioritize and enhance the pedestrian realm (e.g. short blocks, wide and shaded sidewalks), the plan said.
Separately, Malaysian infrastructure and energy group Malaysia Mining Corp (MMC) signed a maritime and property pact worth 16 billion ringgit ($4.7 billion) with an investment unit of the Dubai government, Reuters reported yesterday quoting MMC statement.
Under the pact, MMC and Dubai World will consider developing a maritime centre including an oil terminal, drydocks, a shipyard and cargo handling facilities in Malaysia's southern Johor state, MMC said in a statement.
The pact will "leverage on the expertise and experience of Dubai World and further develop the hinterland in South Johor, where MMC's port subsidiaries, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas and Johor Port Bhd, are located," MMC said.
The plan would also unlock the value of its land in Tanjung Bin amounting to 2,255 acres, MMC added.
The announcement comes three weeks after MMC said the third and final unit of its 2,100MW coal-fired Tanjung Bin power plant began operations after a long delay.
By K.T. Abdurabb
© Arab News 2007
