Hazza bin Zayed inaugurates new Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway

The new 62-km highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, inaugurated today as the UAE celebrates the 45th National Day, is one of the biggest infrastructure projects and was named after Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in recognition of the leading and historic role he is playing in the journey of development and growth taking place across the UAE, said H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council as he inaugurated the 'Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road' on Tuesday.

"Thanks to his initiatives and inspiring patriotism, the UAE has been able to earn top positions in various spheres," H.H. Sheikh Hazza said at the inauguration. H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were also present at the ceremony.

The inauguration of the strategic artery was in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highway connects with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highway, which, according to Sheikh Hazza "reflects, in a wonderful way, the integral relationship between the two great leaders and national figures who shoulder the responsibility for fostering growth and development in the UAE in implementation of the strategic vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for earning a place for the UAE among advanced nations, in terms of quality of services, infrastructure and other vital sectors."

The project, launched in the first quarter of 2014, has been completed one month ahead of the schedule to mark the 45th UAE National Day.

"This historic project was managed and carried out by two Emirati engineers, which reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for greater roles and responsibilities and opportunities for the youth to enable them to innovate," Sheikh Hazza noted. "To the future men and women student engineers who are with us now, we say that the future of the UAE will be bright, thanks to the Emirati minds, efforts, determination and ability to innovate and counter challenges of this age," he added.

The new highway was built under the Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan (Capital 2030), an initiative first launched by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, UPC, in 2007, and was updated in 2015.

By absorbing additional traffic between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, especially during peak hours, the new highway will ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents while providing access to Abu Dhabi city and its international airport, as well as to Yas and Saadiyat islands.

The road starts from the end of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road in Seih Shuaib, on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border.

The new road will trigger development of new residential areas such as South Al Shamkha, North Al Wathba and Al Falah, and ensure further development of existing areas, including Al Shamkha, Al Shawamekh and Bani Yas.

Several ministers, officials and the two Emirati engineers who headed the project - Hamdan Al Mazrouie and Shamsa Al Shamsi - also attended the inauguration ceremony.