2009-10-14 12:27:42
WAM Abu Dhabi, 14th Oct. 2009 (WAM) -- H.H. Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inaugurated today the Saadiyat island-Abu Dhabi bridge.

The bridge named after Sheikh Khalifa in recognition of President H.H.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's vision for leveraging the standing of Abu Dhabi as a world leading capital and advancing its development through the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

Set to become one of the world's great non-suspension bridges, the concrete span bridge, which has mid span of approximately 200 metres will connect Saadiyat Island with Abu Dhabi city from the Mina Zayed main port area creating a five-minute drive access between the two.

The bridge, the main gateway to Saadiyat Island, which is being transformed into a strategic international tourism destination, has been designed as a concrete box girder carrying five lanes of traffic in each direction as well as two future passenger rail system tracks.

The opening ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, HH Lt.General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Finance Department, H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council (ADEC) and a number of Sheikhs and senior officials.

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