Abu Dhabi's Dhs2.85bn Mid-Island Parkway first phase set for 2027

Summary

• Abu Dhabi's transport department set 2027 completion for the Dhs2.85bn Mid-Island Parkway first phase.
• The eight-lane link joins Saadiyat Island to Umm Yifeenah Island Central Interchange.
• Journeys to Reem or Abu Dhabi Island should fall to about 10 minutes from 25.

The latest

An eight-lane dual carriageway linking Saadiyat Island to the Umm Yifeenah Island Central Interchange is scheduled to open in 2027, Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport said, putting the cost of the first phase at Dhs2.85bn. The department said the new link should cut trips to Reem Island or Abu Dhabi Island to roughly 10 minutes, down from 25.

Details

• The route: The first phase runs from the northern Saadiyat interchange on the E12 highway to the southern end of the island and onwards to Umm Yifeenah Island, according to DMT. It builds on an existing highway across Saadiyat serving Saadiyat Lagoons, Saadiyat Marina District and New York University Abu Dhabi.
• Marine engineering: The project includes two kilometres of reclaimed land protected by 150,000 square metres of rock covering to limit erosion, DMT said. A further 1.5 kilometres is an underground channel, including a 600-metre underwater section running 11 metres beneath Khor Laffan.
• Build method: Engineers used precast concrete roof panels manufactured off site to compress construction time, alongside conventional on-site works and scaffolding, according to the department. No contractor was named.
• Walking and cycling: Phase one adds four kilometres of pedestrian and cycling tracks, completing a continuous 12-kilometre route that crosses Saadiyat Island and continues onto Umm Yifeenah Island, DMT said.
• Sustainability specs: The department said the works use locally sourced and recycled materials, 23,000 linear metres of energy-saving lighting and 14,000 linear metres of irrigation infrastructure supporting native and drought-resistant landscaping.
• The official case: Eisa Mubarak Al Mazrouei, director general of infrastructure development at DMT, said the wider project was designed to improve connectivity while supporting Abu Dhabi's liveability and economic sectors including tourism, trade and logistics.
• Phase two: The second phase extends the corridor 14.5 kilometres, linking Umm Yifeenah Island through Bilrimaid and Samaliyah islands to Sas Al Nakhl, Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City. It carries four lanes each way and is expected to bring mid-island corridor travel times to about seven minutes. No completion date was announced.
• Tunnel and habitats: Phase two includes walking and cycling tracks, marine bridges, elevated flyovers and an underwater road tunnel. DMT said the submerged crossing was designed to reduce disruption to mangroves, salt marshes and coastal sabkha habitats while maintaining natural water channels.
• Full corridor effect: Once the entire Mid-Island Parkway is operational, journeys between Saadiyat Island and Zayed City are expected to take just under 15 minutes, the department said.
• Coastal route: DMT also showcased a planned 37-kilometre coastal road linking Al Hudayriyat Island with the E11 at Al Nouf, with three lanes each way, one tunnel, seven kilometres of marine bridges and four kilometres of causeways, running through Halat Al Bahrani, Al Futaisi and Al Aryam islands.

Between the lines

The engineering choices point to a corridor designed around constraints rather than open land: an 11-metre-deep underwater section beneath Khor Laffan, submerged crossings routed to spare mangroves and sabkha, and off-site precast panels to shorten the build. The coastal road's planned link to the E11 suggests the wider programme is also aimed at pulling through-traffic off central Abu Dhabi.

What's next

Watch for a phase one opening date in 2027, a construction timeline or award for the 14.5-kilometre second phase, and whether the 37-kilometre Al Hudayriyat-to-E11 coastal route moves from showcase to tender.

Source: Gulf Business