Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee Conducts Improvement Works around Al Wahda Mall

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1 Press Release For immediate release Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee Conducts Improvement Works around Al Wahda Mall AED 13-million project will see three new traffic signals to relieve congestion and allow drivers easy access to the Wahda Mall Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 13 August, As part of its commitment to providing world-class sustainable and integrated transportation infrastructure, the Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee (STSC) in Abu Dhabi commenced since last December traffic improvement works around Al Wahda Mall, one of the prime shopping malls in Abu Dhabi. The AED 13-million project, slated to be accomplished by the end of 2014, encompasses the construction of three new traffic signals; one at Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (previously known as Airport Rd) to allow drivers a left turn towards the local road number 13 at section 1, close to Al Wahda Mall. Another traffic signal will be constructed on the local road number 16 allowing vehicles to U- turn toward the local road number 13, in addition to a third signal behind the main bus station at the local road number 16 to allow drivers a left turn to reach the existing road between Al Wahda Mall and the new Mall expansion. Please refer to the attached map for more details.

2 Other improvement works that aim to help drivers reach their destinations hasslefree include improvements on the entrances and exits of the taxi lanes in the Mall, in addition to further improvements and expansion of the surrounding roads to relieve the traffic congestion resulting from the Mall expansion, this entails expansion of street 16 and expansion of street 13 to become a two-way street. The improvement works is a project undertaken by the DoT, as part of the STSC, with an aim to improve traffic, elevate road services, and relieve congestion by facilitating better entry and exits of vehicles to the Mall and neighboring areas, whilst raising road safety and accommodating the growing number of cars in the area during peak hours. The STSC has embarked on field studies on Al Wahda Mall and surrounding areas based on gathered traffic data to ensure that work takes into consideration existing and future traffic propositions whilst addressing the rapidly-growing status of Abu Dhabi as tourists destination attracting visitors from around the world who benefit from the available shopping experiences. On the other hand, DoT notes that a number of MAWAQiF parking bays in the same sector (E19) have been closed as part of the road expansion. Nevertheless, MAWAQiF allows holders of residents permits to park in the nearby sector W until the completion of the improvements and solving the problem of the lack of parking bays resulting therefrom. In order to ensure maximum safety is in place where the improvement works take place, the STSC has advised drivers to drive cautiously in the area while adhering to all traffic rules and regulations, to drive slowly and carefully whilst cooperating with all parties implementing the improvement works.

3 -End- Background and Media Notes on the Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee in Abu Dhabi

4 The Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee in Abu Dhabi was established by Decision number 4 for the year 2009 issued by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the revised Decision number 5 for the year 2011 to unite all efforts of stakeholders aimed to enhance traffic safety in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Committee is formed from four governmental agencies; Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, and Abu Dhabi Police. The Committee is mandated to study traffic problems in Abu Dhabi from all aspects in cooperation with related entities, to provide suitable solutions and report them to the Executive Council whilst following the implementation of recommendations set by the Council to solve those issues, remove all obstacles and coordinate traffic safety endeavours through integrated planning and execution. The Committee is also in charge of preparing and advocating a long-term strategy for traffic safety for all sectors via promoting traffic safety standards and adopting annual programmes and initiatives. The Committee has a sub-technical committee for safety and traffic solutions led by the Department of Transport and with four teams: Education & Awareness, Enforcement, Engineering Works, and Legislations & Policies. The technical committee mandate includes reviewing and updating Abu Dhabi s traffic safety strategy to take action and implement recommendations and plans generated from Abu Dhabi s traffic safety strategy. For more information or inquiries, please contact:

5 Mahmoud Ahmed Elasheri Public Relations & Communications Consultant Department of Transport T: Zainab Al Zubaidi PR & Communications Officer Department of Transport T:

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