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Khalifa unveils Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi |
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The United Arab Emirates will witness further achievements that will place it among the most advanced countries, said President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa made the remarks as he opened this evening the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, in presence of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President’s Representative, and General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Sheikh Khalifa cut the customary ribbon, announcing opening of the bridge. He viewed the designs and plans for different phases of bridge construction. "The bridge which bears the name of our father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is more than a link between two points. It is a symbol for the continuous development process started by the late Sheikh Zayed and an evidence to our determination to pursue the goals of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030," he said. Sheikh Khalifa underlined the project and other development projects being implemented in Abu Dhabi and the UAE which, he said, represent the foundation for the comprehensive development in the UAE. Present were H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister ’&’ Interior Minister, H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Water ’&’ Electricity Authority, H.J. Sheikh Omer bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Foundation for Charitable ’&’ Humanitarian Works, H.H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Finance Department, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Under Secretary of the Court of the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikhs and senior officials. This 850 - meter long bridge will be the third strategic access to the island of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi’s 3rd crossing), linking traffic from Dubai via Shahama with the Eastern Ring Road. The bridge is 24.2 meters wide with four carriageways, a pedestrian crossing and a hard shoulder in both directions, providing a buffer area for stopping vehicles and emergency. The bridge is designed to withstand winds with speed of 160 kilometer per hour. It has three sand dune-shaped arches, linked together by concrete blocks which are reinforced with steel wires. The bridge is also designed to absorb double the average traffic load. The 666 concrete pillars were constructed using 480 tons of concrete, 35 tons of reinforcing steel, 5,000 tons of pre-stressed steel structure and 2,000 tons of foundation steel.
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