Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has begun the installation of a new bridge which will connect the exhibition facilities with the new Marina Zone. The installation will be completed in time for IDEX 2009 where it will play an integral part in the exhibition by providing pedestrian access to the Naval displays.

The new bridge, which has been fabricated from 600 tonnes of steel and 132 glazed panels, will be 162 metres long and will span all eight lanes of the Khaleej Al Arabi Coast Road adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.  The unique structure was designed by internationally renowned architects, Dissing & Weitling and built by specialist Austrian bridge engineering company, Waagner Biro.

The development of this bridge is part of ADNEC’s ongoing commitment to create the world’s leading destination for exhibitions, conferences and live events.  By linking the Marina Zone to the exhibition facilities ADNEC is providing a truly integrated site which will allow for indoor, outdoor and marina exhibitions.  In addition, ADNEC is also providing a genuine improvement to the city by making the ADNEC Marina Zone fully accessible to pedestrians.

The Marina Zone has seen 8 months of intensive major development, including the construction of a 350 metre quay wall and the dredging of the local sea channel to a depth of 6 metres.  This work will enable visiting ships to dock outside the exhibition centre for the IDEX naval exhibition; previously these had to dock 20km away from ADNEC at Port Mina Zayed.  

A contra-flow will be set up on Khaleej Al Arabi Road (30th Street) during the bridge construction and subsequently to enable the creation of the IDEX outside demonstration area.  IDEX 2009 takes place at ADNEC from 22 – 26 February. ADNEC has been fully supported by the local authorities and has received extensive cooperation from the Abu Dhabi traffic police, to make the bridge possible.