Today hopeful engineering firms from around the world will submit statements of interest in building the first stage of Abu Dhabi's eagerly awaited metro and light rail network. Companies believed to be interested include German giant Siemens, US-based Bechtel and South Korea's Samsung Engineering.
As The National reported on Monday, the successful bidder is to be announced in March, with construction to start soon after.
This Dh7 billion infrastructure project is undoubtedly good news for the economy, the environment and the people of Abu Dhabi.
True, this version - 18km of metro, mostly underground, plus another 18km in two light-rail lines, opening beginning in 2016 - 17 - is considerably scaled down from the original vision: 131km of metro and light rail line, to be opened in 2015.
But as with so much development in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, the point is in the determination to keep making progress.
As the whole world knows, the economic climate changed sharply not long after that first vision was unveiled. By setting this new timetable, the Abu Dhabi Government has sent a message that the economy is emerging surely and steadily from the global financial crisis, and that it is committed to making travel around the ever-growing capital easier, quicker, safer and more environmentally friendly. Moves already made in that direction include further extension of public bus services in April this year. And there is even talk of a bicycle-path network.
Around the world, first-rate public transit is a hallmark of first-rate cities. When completed, the Abu Dhabi metro is expected to help limit private-vehicle traffic in the capital and save commuters 102 million hours of travel time a year. It should also reduce vehicle emissions and improve road safety. It is estimated that the public-transport system will serve 823,000 passengers a day by 2030, and prevent 23,000 road accidents a year.
Construction will be inconvenient for many, but that's nothing new in the fast-growing capital. Abu Dhabi residents will have seen the success of the Dubai Metro, used by so many residents from all walks of life.
The UAE has proven since its inception that tangible progress is made with measured steps. This world-class infrastructure project is the latest example of an idea whose time has come.
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
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England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
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Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets