Highway linking UAE, Gulf nations by mid 2017

A round-the-clock road work is expected to complete the 246-km long highway that connects the entire UAE with Gulf countries by mid 2017.
According to Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada), it has completed 72 per cent of Mafraq - Ghuwaifat Road project.
This Western Region highway, the only one used by the entire UAE to connect with Gulf countries and beyond through the Saudi Arabian border, has been under construction since March 2014.
"The project includes six packages with a manpower of 8,500 consultants, engineers and workers. It also encompasses construction of 16 new interchanges and undertakes improvement work to the existing interchanges at Mafraq, Hameem, Abu Al Abyad and Madinat Zayed.
"The project encompasses construction of new lanes in both directions, from two to four lanes in each direction along 182 km, extending from Mafraq until Baynounah Forest Area, and from two lanes to three lanes in each direction along 64km from Baraka until Ghuwaifat," Al Mazrouei added.
There will also be lay-by parking for road users, as well as a shoulder on the right side for both directions, for emergencies.
Since Western Region is largely rural with many camel farms, Musanada is also building an underpass for camels in areas close to Silaa and Ghuwaifat, which will serve camel owners in areas adjacent to the road and the camel racetrack close to Silaa.
Once completed the Mafraq - Ghuwaifat Road will be lit by eco-friendly LED lights, which will play part in reducing the power consumption to a minimum of 60 per cent.
In the meantime, new detours have been put in place for the highway users. These include an 80-km long detour from Truck Road Interchange until Madinat Zayed interchange.
Detours and traffic safety performance is being monitored by Musanada's safety and assistance patrols and by the Traffic Engineering team in Abu Dhabi Police, along the road and around the clock.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi