Al-Ain Municipality has invited contractors to prequalify for three major road projects leading to the Dubai border. The scheme aims to upgrade the existing highways to a speed of 140 kilometres an hour by 2009.

Project A covers the upgrade of 53 kilometres of the Al-Ain-Dubai highway from the Hilli roundabout in Al-Foah to the Dubai border. The works will involve adding two lanes in each direction to the existing two-lane dual-carriageway, which will include widening six underpasses, and two wadi bridges. Two bridges and 11 kilometres of the highway will be rebuilt.

Project B involves the construction of four interchanges and 19 kilometres of highway along the existing northern ring-road. The road will provide a high-speed connection from Al-Ain city centre to the Dubai highway.

The third scheme, project C, will see the upgrade of 34 kilometres of road between the Hilli roundabout and Nahil City. The works will turn the existing single carriageway road into a two-lane dual-carriageway. US-based Hill International is the project manager for all three projects.

A number of major developments are planned to the north of Al-Ain including a AED 40,000 million ($10,900 million) mixed-use development that will cover an area of 10 square kilometres planned by local developer Al-Qudra Real Estate (MEED 8:12:06).