Developing more ways to streamline travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is likely to be an increasing area of focus for transportation planners in the UAE, according to James Duncan, vice-president at US-based construction consultancy Hill International. 

The number of developments being built between the two emirates is increasing the amount of people travelling between them. “Developments on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi have 30 per cent footfall from Dubai,” Duncan said.

The existing highway has also experienced a major increase in traffic in recent years, as Dubai-based companies focused on government-sponsored projects in Abu Dhabi following the collapse of the property market in 2008.

Already in the works is the creation of a second road link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In December, Abu Dhabi General Services (Musanada) awarded two contracts totalling AED2.1bn ($582m) for the construction of the new highway connecting the two emirates.

Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting Establishment has won the estimated AED1.297bn contract for the first 34-kilometre-long section of the highway that will start in Saih Shuaib area on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border. It will have three interchanges.

The contract to build the second section of highway was awarded to a joint venture of Tristar Engineering & Construction and Italy’s Salini Costruttori. Valued at AED840m, it involves the construction of 28km of highway with three interchanges.

Both contracts are expected to take two and a half years to complete. Links between Abu Dhabi and the other six emirates will be further improved by the UAE’s new rail network.

Duncan said one of the challenges Dubai will face in developing its new road projects, including the tram system, is to find ways to encourage motorists to be patient amid the potential traffic snarls. “There is no gain without pain,” he said. “The key is convincing people that we are all stakeholders in this process.”