First phase of Dhs1bn roads project opens in Dubai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the first phase of a Dhs1bn roads project aimed at easing traffic congestion, it announced on Thursday.

The overall parallel roads improvement project – set to be completed in two phases – spans 108km, starting from Sheikh Rashid Road in the north and ending at the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

It consists of bridges and surface junctions at the intersections of parallel roads with vertical roads extending 42km.

Phase 1 and 2 of the project include the construction of bridges extending 5,665 metres and tunnels extending 2,445 meters.

The project also includes improving the existing intersection of Al Meydan and Al Khail Roads. Flyovers have been constructed to ease overlapping traffic and peak hour congestion, a statement said.

It will also see the construction of a two-lane bridge to serve the traffic coming from Al Khail Road in the direction of Sharjah passing through Al Asayel Road up to the intersection of Oud Metha Road.

It also includes the provision of direct entry/exit points for the Meydan development project and the construction of four underpasses extending 1,150 metres of which 300 metres are covered and the rest are open.

The project encompasses the development and diversion of the infrastructure in the area as well as lighting and directional signage works, the RTA said.

The two phases of the project aim to ease traffic density by 15 per cent on Sheikh Zayed Road between the 1st and 2nd interchanges by providing additional entry/exit points to Business Bay and Burj Khalifa District.

This will raise its capacity to 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and improve the capacity of Meydan Road.

It will also shorten the journey time between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 12 to 2.5 minutes, and ease the pressure on the Financial Centre Road, said the RTA.

The RTA also confirmed that it started construction works on the second phase of the project in the second quarter of 2016. Work includes building a flyover on the intersection of Al Saada Road with Burj Khalifa Boulevard Road, an underpass at the intersection of Al Saada and Al Khaleej Roads, and a 500-metre bridge along the extension of Al Saada Road crossing over the Dubai Water Canal (construction completed with the opening of the Dubai Water Canal).

It also included the construction of a bridge at the intersection of Al Meydan and First Al Khail Roads, a tunnel for left-side turns from Al Saada Road to Meydan Road, and an underpass for horse crossing at the Godolphin Stables.

These works are expected to be completed by mid-2018.

“The project is being undertaken as part of RTA’s master plan for upgrading the network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to accommodate the growing traffic movement and improve mobility throughout Dubai,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the RTA.

“The plan aims to develop integrated solutions of roads as well as land and marine transport networks that are safe for users, compatible with the comprehensive development plans, address the needs of demographic expansion, and contribute to sustainable development and investment in the emirate.”