Abu Dhabi airport expansion, new roads and new homes in Dh37.3 billion capital projects

At the first meeting of the Executive Council since restructuring in March, projects in the housing, education and health sectors were approved.

Abu Dhabi's Executive Council has approved more than Dh37 billion in capital projects. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // More than Dh37 billion that was put aside for capital projects and approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Sunday will contribute to the emirate’s success, the Crown Prince said.

A Dh330bn investment was announced earlier this year and on Sunday the Council approved Dh12.7bn to be used for housing and community facilities projects, Dh11.9bn for Government administration, Dh3.1bn for economic projects, Dh2.5bn for health sector projects and Dh2.4bn for the education sector.

“The basis of Abu Dhabi’s vision is to build a generation capable of continuing the path of progress and development,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Council.

During its first meeting since restructuring last month, the Council also allocated Dh26.6bn to various social welfare initiatives.

Part of those funds include Dh17.5bn for the water and electricity sector’s government subsidy and Dh568 million on food subsidies.

The Council approved road upgrades near Abu Dhabi International Airport, which will provide a direct connection between the Abu Dhabi-Al Shahama motorway and the airport.

The roads network will include secondary roads that will connect airport exits to car parks, and future development at a cost of Dh638.6m.

An airport expansion was also approved.

Nine new airport aprons, or the area where planes are parked, unloaded, boarded or refuelled, will be built.

A “passenger automated transport system” and a basement tunnel under the southern runway were also approved. The total cost will be Dh1.65bn.

Housing projects in Al Shuwaib and Al Shuaibah worth Dh637.2m were forwarded to contractors for design and execution. The projects will include a 390,000-square-metre complex in Al Shuwaib that includes 186 housing units and a 420,000-square-metre complex of 162 units in Al Shuaibah.

Other approved projects include electricity networks, drainage and rainwater systems, communications, car parks, pedestrian crossings and roads projects at a cost of Dh1.2bn. A 112 kilometre road will be constructed in Al Khrair to serve 3,023 residential plots and internal roads projects in Al Rahba will service 1,181 plots.

The Council approved the design and construction of a 20km road in Mohammed bin Zayed City, which will provide access to 254 plots.

It also selected a contractor to build the National Rehabilitation Centre, a Dh285m facility for treating drug and alcohol addiction.

Sheikh Mohammed said the Council faced enormous responsibilities entrusted by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, in “realising the expectations of nationals in providing them with good and stable living standards and a prosperous future for them and their children”.