Abu Dhabi Outlines 37km Coastal Highway Connecting Al Dhafra & Al Hudayriyat Island

The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans for a major 37-kilometer coastal expressway connecting Al Dhafra with Al Hudayriyat Island and Abu Dhabi Island. Designed as an alternative coastal bypass to divert traffic away from the city center, the infrastructure project features 7 kilometers of marine bridges, 4 kilometers of causeways, and a dedicated tunnel. The alignment will link key islands including Halat Al Bahrani, Al Futaisi, and Al Aryam while protecting sensitive coastal marine environments.

Technical Specifications of the 37km Coastal Highway

The proposed coastal route is engineered to handle both heavy freight traffic and regional commuter flows, strengthening connectivity between western Abu Dhabi and the capital's expanding leisure islands.

ABU DHABI 37KM COASTAL ROUTE SPECIFICATIONS

Category / Entity	Details / Impact
Infrastructure Parameter	Official Project Specification
Total Route Length	37 Kilometers
Traffic Configuration	3 Lanes in Each Direction
Marine Bridges	7 Kilometers Total Length
Causeways	4 Kilometers Total Length
Dedicated Tunnels	1 Tunnel
Starting Point	E11 Highway at Al Nouf
Ending Point	Al Hudayriyat Island
Key Islands Connected	Halat Al Bahrani, Al Futaisi, Al Aryam
Primary Transport Purpose	Coastal Bypass for Freight & Commuters

                  ABU DHABI COASTAL ROUTE ALIGNMENT FLOW
                                     │
         ┌───────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┐
         ▼                                                       ▼
┌──────────────────┐                                    ┌──────────────────┐
│ E11 AT AL NOUF   │ ─── HALAT AL BAHRANI / AL FUTAISI ───►│ AL HUDAYRIYAT    │
│ (Western Access) │     7km Bridges & 4km Causeways    │ ISLAND           │
└──────────────────┘                                    └──────────────────┘

Environmental Protection & Wetland Preservation

Because the highway traverses ecologically sensitive coastal habitats, the DMT design integrates environmental safeguards:

• Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Area: Wildlife corridors and animal crossings will protect indigenous marine and terrestrial species.
• Ramsar Wetland Protections: Engineering parameters restrict runoff and construction disruption across protected coastal wetlands.

Disambiguation: Coastal Route vs. Mid-Island Parkway

Transportation officials clarify that the 37km coastal route is a distinct proposal separate from the Mid-Island Parkway megaproject. While the AED 2.85 billion Phase One of the Mid-Island Parkway carries a target completion date of 2027, no official opening date has been announced for the 37km coastal highway.

Tourism Strategy 2030 Context & Baseline Metrics

The announcement comes amidst rapid tourism expansion across the emirate. Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) reports establish a strong foundation of tourism performance and future growth targets:

ABU DHABI TOURISM BASELINE & STRATEGY 2030 TARGETS

Performance Metric	2025 Baseline Result	Tourism Strategy 2030 Target
Total Visitors (Domestic & Int'l)	26.6 Million Visitors	39.3 Million Annual Visitors
Total Hotel Guests	5.9 Million Guests	178,000 New Sector Jobs
Hotel Sector Revenue	AED 9.1 Billion (+19.5% YoY)	AED 90 Billion Tourism GDP
Hotel Occupancy Rate	81% Occupancy	Sustained High Capacity
Al Dhafra Regional Guests	147,900 Hotel Guests (+3% YoY)	Expanded Western Access

Practical Implications for Hotels, Operators & Travelers

• No Immediate Itinerary Changes: Because no construction completion date has been fixed, travel operators should not adjust current transfer schedules or booking parameters.
• Transfer Optimization Potential: Once operational, the coastal route will provide tour operators with a direct transfer bypass between western Abu Dhabi resort zones and Al Hudayriyat Island attractions.
• Public Island Access: The presence of a bridge or causeway passing near an island (such as Al Futaisi or Al Aryam) does not automatically indicate public visitor access; destination-specific entry permits remain enforced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 37km Abu Dhabi coastal highway currently open to traffic?

No. The project has been outlined by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) as a planned coastal connection. No opening date has been announced.

Does the 2027 completion target for Mid-Island Parkway apply to this coastal route?

No. The 2027 target applies specifically to Phase One (AED 2.85 billion) of the Mid-Island Parkway project. The 37km coastal route is a separate project with its own timeline.

Which locations will the 37km coastal highway connect?

The road connects the E11 highway at Al Nouf with Al Hudayriyat Island, passing through Halat Al Bahrani, Al Futaisi, and Al Aryam islands.

What environmental protections are included in the road design?

The DMT design includes specialized animal crossings and eco-friendly construction standards to protect the Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Area and local Ramsar wetland habitats.

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Official Sources

• Abu Dhabi Media Office (DMT Infrastructure Update): DMT Infrastructure Announcement
• DCT Abu Dhabi: 2025 Annual Tourism Performance Report & Tourism Strategy 2030

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