Mid-Island Parkway, Abu Dhabi: the AED 2.85bn road that puts Saadiyat 10 minutes from Al Reem Island in 2027

Phase one of Abu Dhabi's Mid-Island Parkway will be completed in 2027. The eight-lane road, costing AED 2.85bn or about $776m, cuts the drive from Saadiyat to Al Reem Island and Abu Dhabi Island from 25 minutes to 10. The emirate's Department of Municipalities and Transport confirmed the timeline on 2 October 2026.

What is the Mid-Island Parkway?

It is a new highway across the chain of islands between Saadiyat and the mainland. It relieves the existing bridges and links the islands directly, bypassing the city centre. The Department of Municipalities and Transport is delivering it.

Phase one runs from the northern Saadiyat interchange on the E12 highway to the southern tip of the island and on to the central interchange on Umm Yifeenah Island, with four lanes in each direction.

What does phase one include, and what does it cost?

The phase costs AED 2.85bn. Its main engineering feature is 1.5 km of sunken road, of which 600 metres pass beneath the Khor Laffan channel at a depth of 11 metres.

• An eight-lane road from the E12 to Umm Yifeenah Island.
• 1.5 km of underground section, including 600 metres under water.
• 2 km of reclaimed land protected by 150,000 square metres of rock.
• 4 km of new walking and cycling tracks, forming a continuous 12 km route.
• 23,000 metres of energy-saving lighting.

The tunnel roof is built from precast panels made off site. That shortens the time spent working on the water, the riskiest part of the programme.

How much faster will the drive from Saadiyat be?

To Al Reem and Abu Dhabi Island: about 10 minutes instead of 25. That is the practical effect. Saadiyat stops being "the island beyond the bridge" and joins the districts around the business centre.

Once the whole corridor operates, Saadiyat to Zayed City on the mainland should take just under 15 minutes. That is the department's estimate for the finished network, not for phase one alone.

What will phase two add?

Another 14.5 km: from Umm Yifeenah Island across Bilrimaid and Samaliyah islands to Sas Al Nakhl, Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City. Four lanes each way, marine bridges, flyovers and an underwater tunnel.

The submerged crossing was chosen to protect mangroves and salt marshes; a bridge would have blocked the channels. The mid-island stretch should take about seven minutes. The department has not given a date or budget for phase two.

A separate 37 km coastal route is planned from Hudayriyat Island to the E11 at Al Nouf, with one tunnel, 7 km of marine bridges and 4 km of causeways. It is meant to take freight out of the centre.

How will the road affect property?

The south of Saadiyat gains most, because the road lands there directly. That is where Aldar is building Marsa Al Saadiyat, the island's final phase, which we covered in our piece on the AED 100bn project.

Al Reem is the second winner. Ten minutes to Saadiyat's beaches and museums gives the island what it lacked: leisure close by. For a tenant working in the financial centre, that tips the choice towards Al Reem over the mainland.

Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City come third, but only with phase two, which has no date. It is too early to price that in: pay for the road under construction, not the one on the plan.

We set out how the islands differ for buyers in our comparison of Abu Dhabi islands.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Mid-Island Parkway open in Abu Dhabi?

Phase one is scheduled for completion in 2027. No date had been announced for the 14.5 km second phase as of October 2026.

How much does phase one cost?

AED 2.85bn, about $776m. That covers the eight-lane road, a 1.5 km underground section and 2 km of reclaimed land.

How long is the drive from Saadiyat to Al Reem on the new road?

About 10 minutes, down from 25 today. The same applies to the drive to Abu Dhabi Island.

Will the parkway reach Al Raha Beach?

Yes, in phase two, which crosses Bilrimaid and Samaliyah islands to Sas Al Nakhl, Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City.

For the wider picture of the capital's market and its districts, see our page on Abu Dhabi property.