Abu Dhabi mulling two major cable car projects

Abu Dhabi is currently studying the viability of undertaking two major cable car projects in the city, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) has said.

The projects are proposed to be constructed at Al Maqtaa and at the Al Bahya Corniche, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport at ADM said.

They are part of a portfolio of proposed projects and future investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

The plans aim to transform suburban areas in the UAE capital by developing “modern structures and multiple recreational, residential and service facilities”, official news agency WAM reported.

As per the provisional concept of the project at Al Bahya Corniche, the redevelopment will span an area of 160,000 square metres with a total floor area of about 74,000 square metres.

The project, which will cost about Dhs650m, aims to transform the region into a premier entertainment destination, the report stated. No specifics were revealed about the cable car project.

Meanwhile the Al Maqtaa cable car project, estimated to cost around Dhs350m, is expected to include five stations starting from Al Maqtaa Creek parallel to Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road near the Al Maqtaa Bridge.

The second station will be Khalifa Park, followed by Sheikh Zayed Mosque and a fourth near Ritz Carlton.

The project will then turn to the Arabian Gulf Street in a route parallel to Mussaffah Bridge and terminate at the fifth and final station at the Canal Project and Al Barri Souk.

The ADM stressed that the contracts for the construction of the cable car projects have not yet been officially released to contractors, and that the projects were still being studied.

Abu Dhabi is currently boosting its tourism infrastructure as part of its economic diversification strategy.

The emirate is undertaking an ambitious tourism strategy to attract 7.5 million visitors per year by 2030.