A new 62-km highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been inaugurated in line with the government’s ambitious plan to establish an advanced and sustainable infrastructure to help meet the needs arising from present and future growth.

Named the 'Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road', the highway is one of the biggest infrastructure projects implemented under Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan (Capital 2030), an initiative first launched by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) in 2007, and updated in 2015.

Expressing his happiness at the opening of the road, Falah Al Ahbabi, UPC Director-General said, "The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council is honoured to have played a central role in developing the route of the new road in cooperation with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport (DMAT), the Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada), and other governmental authorities.

"The road, which is one of the biggest and most important infrastructure projects implemented by the Abu Dhabi Government under the Surface Transportation Master Plan, (STMP), represents a model for all future roads in Abu Dhabi. It is also in line with the objectives of Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 with respect to establishing a complete and connected transportation network that accommodates the Emirate's needs now and in the future.

"As a strategic artery, it can absorb additional traffic, especially during peak hours. Providing an alternative to the current Abu Dhabi and Dubai main road, the new highway will alleviate traffic congestion and bring down the number of accidents. The new road also provides access to Abu Dhabi city and its international airport, as well as to Yas and Saadiyat islands," he added.

The road begins at the end of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road in Seih Shuaib, on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. It then passes through the Forestry Green Belt, Al Maha Forest, Khalifa Port Industrial Zone,and Bida Khalifa, intersecting with Al Ajban Road and bypassing Al Shahama, Zayed Military Camp and Al Falah area, all the way to the Sweihan Road interchange. The new road runs parallel and provides additional capacity to the existing Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway.

The road will also foster the development of new residential areas, such as South Al Shamkha, North Al Wathba, Al Falah and the aid further development of existing areas, such as Al Shamkha, Al Shawamekh and Bani Yas.

The new main road will cater for the Khalifa Industrial Zone at Taweelah, in addition to facilitating connectivity to Al Ain as it links up with Abu Dhabi-Al Ain main road and the rest of the main road network in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

UPC has affirmed the need to safeguard assets, natural resources and ecosystems with which Abu Dhabi is teeming. This will be done through significantly reducing the impact of the road on the environment. The road corridor takes a route that has no impact on the livability, security and safety of the urban communities through which it runs.