رسم تصوري طريق الجزر الوسطية – صورة مرفقة مع البيان الصحفي
بيانات صحفية
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi has announced the completion of the first phase of the “Central Islands Road” project, valued at AED 2.85 billion, set to be completed by 2027. This significant project will establish a new traffic artery connecting Saadiyat Island to the central intersection at Umm Yafina Island, enhancing connectivity across Abu Dhabi’s critical zones.
Project Overview and Infrastructure Developments
Highlighted at the “Livex 2026” quality of life and investment exhibition, the initial phase will involve the construction of a dual carriageway featuring eight lanes—four in each direction—that stretches from the existing northern Saadiyat intersection along Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road (E12), traversing southern Saadiyat Island to Umm Yafina Island. This new route will provide a direct path to Reem Island and Abu Dhabi Island, reducing travel time from the current 25 minutes to approximately 10 minutes.
The project also includes the creation of two kilometers of land reclaimed from the sea, reinforced with a rock wall spanning 150,000 square meters to mitigate erosion. The remaining 1.5 kilometers of the project will be underground, featuring a 600-meter underwater tunnel at a depth of 11 meters, constructed using precast concrete panels manufactured offsite to reduce on-site construction time and labour needs.
Complementary Features and Sustainability Initiatives
This stage of development complements the previously completed road extending through Saadiyat Island, which has provided crucial links to key destinations including Saadiyat Lagoons, Saadiyat Marina, and New York University Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, the road will incorporate four kilometers of pedestrian and cycling pathways as part of a connected 12-kilometer route across Saadiyat Island to Umm Yafina.
Sustainability is a focal point of the project, emphasising the use of locally recycled materials and the installation of energy-efficient smart lighting systems that span a total of 23,000 meters. Additionally, landscaping will utilise drought-resistant local plant species supported by a high-efficiency irrigation network extending 14,000 meters.
Statements from DMT Officials
Engineer Issa Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Director General of Infrastructure Development at DMT, stated: “The Central Islands Road project embodies Abu Dhabi’s approach towards developing comprehensive infrastructure that anticipates future growth requirements. Its tangible impact on residents’ lives and quality of living is a fundamental driving force behind our planning and implementation decisions. The importance of this project extends beyond enhancing connectivity; it also supports economic movement, streamlines trade and logistics, and boosts tourism activity.”
Al Mazrouei further remarked, “As we transition into the second phase, we aim to build upon our achievements by developing one of the most integrated and ambitious transportation projects in the region. This will establish a global model for road networks that efficiently integrate across terrestrial and maritime environments, providing engineering benchmarks and solutions that can inform major infrastructure projects worldwide.”
Future Phases and Expansion Plans
During “Livex 2026”, DMT revealed details about the second phase of the Central Islands Road project. This phase will extend 14.5 kilometers starting from Umm Yafina Island, passing through Barmeed and Soemalieh Islands, and reaching Al Maryah Island, Al Reem, and Khalifa City, thereby improving connectivity among various vital areas in Abu Dhabi.
The second phase will consist of four lanes in each direction, expected to reduce travel time to approximately seven minutes. It will also feature dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists throughout its length, encouraging active transportation.
Additional infrastructure within this phase includes marine bridges and elevated structures, alongside an underwater tunnel, all designed with environmental protections for surrounding natural habitats, such as mangroves and saline marshes, while ensuring the continuous flow of water in natural channels.
Overall, the Central Islands Road project aims to enhance mobility links within the emirate. Once fully operational, it is anticipated to reduce travel time between the capital’s farthest points—between Saadiyat Island and Zayed City—to less than 15 minutes.
In conjunction with the Central Islands Road project, DMT presented a new coastal road linking Al Hudayriyat Island to E11 at Al Nouf, which stretches a total of 37 kilometres. This project includes three lanes in each direction, along with a tunnel and seven kilometres of marine bridges, and four kilometres of surface crossings, providing direct access from the Al Dhafra region to Abu Dhabi island via Al Hudayriyat, thus creating a rapid route that bypasses intense traffic areas in the capital without harming the marine life surrounding the Biosphere Reserve and the internationally significant Ramsar wetlands.
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