Video: New Dubai-Sharjah road cuts travel time between the two emirates

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opened the Al Khawaneej Roads Improvement Project on Saturday.

The project includes an underpass of three lanes in each direction at the junction of Al Khawaneej and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads as well as a bridge of two lanes in each direction at the junction of Al Amardi and Emirates Roads in the direction of Al Awir.

“The Improvement of Al Khawaneej Roads Project is one of the key strategic projects for improving the links between Dubai and Sharjah through the improvement of vertical roads linking with the Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road up to the Airport Street,” said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general, chairman of the board of executive directors at the RTA.

Video: Al Khawaneej Road Project contributes to slashing the travel time between the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from 25 minutes to 9 minutes, pic.twitter.com/E7Vn9YigPy

— RTA (@rta_dubai) April 17, 2021

“It contributes to slashing the travel time between the Emirates Road and the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road from 25 minutes to 9 minutes, and the waiting time at the junction of Al Khawaneej-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Roads (Al Khawaneej Roundabout) from 330 seconds to just 45 seconds.”

He added that the project also doubles the capacity of the junction from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour, and halves the waiting time at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Roads – which has been upgraded from a roundabout to a surface junction – from 120 seconds to 60 seconds.

The project also includes the construction of a tunnel of three lanes in each direction extending 680 metres at the intersection of Al Khawaneej Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Road. A surface signalised junction has been constructed to ensure free traffic flow on Al Khawaneej Road, with the existing roundabout at the intersection of Al Khawaneej-Al Amardi Roads upgraded to include a signalised junction.

“The intersection of Al Amardi-Emirates Roads has also been upgraded to a flyover of two lanes in each direction extending 201 metres above the Emirates Road in the direction of Al Awir,” said Al Tayer.

The director general also outlined further work that is being carried out as part of this project.”Work is currently underway of constructing a footbridge near Arabian Centre at Al Khawaneej Road, service roads extending 23 km along Al Khawaneej and Al Amardi Roads, and some improvements in three junctions at Algiers Street, which will be upgraded to signalised junctions. Other construction underway include streetlights, rainwater drainage system, directional signs, road markings, and protection works for road safety,” noted Al Tayer.

The construction of Al Khawaneej Roads Improvement Project follows the completion and opening of all phases of Improvements of the Airport Street Project involving upgrading four intersections: Rashidiya, Nad Al Hamar, Marrakech, and Casablanca, said the RTA in a statement on its website.

It also follows the opening of the Tripoli Road Improvement Project providing a link between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road. The opening of this 12-km road eased the traffic flow, improved the entry points of Al Warqaa and Mirdif along Tripoli Road and enhanced the safety along the corridor.