Al Tayer: Projects to be opened include Upper Deck of Financial Center Rd, Dubai Bypass Rd, Al Nahdah-Beirut Roads Interchange, and Phase I of Al-Ittihad Rd Widening Project
Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
H.E. Mattar Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that by the first half of this year RTA would be able to complete 11 road & bridge projects in various parts of the emirate of Dubai at an aggregate cost of about AED3.8 billion.
Such projects include Dubai Bypass Road, Upper Deck of the Financial Center Rd, Al Nahda-Beirut Roads Interchange, Murdif Bridge, Phase I of Al-Ittihad Rd Widening Project (HQ Underpass), Jumeira Lakes Interchange, part of Phase I of Parallel Roads Project at Al Barsha, and several local roads.
“These projects have been undertaken as part of RTA Master Plan to keep pace with the urban development witnessed by the emirate and cope with the present and projected demographic expansion. RTA is undertaking implementation of a wide roads & bridges network, and renovation of mass transit system spanning rails, trams, buses and marine transport modes. RTA also attends to upgrading traffic, transport and technological systems to ensure optimum utilization & highest efficiency of roads & transport system and introducing several policies to reduce semi total public reliance on private vehicle. The overall aim is to promote public dependence on other modes of transport, such as mass transport and car poking, in order to keep abreast of the transition of the emirate into a reputed cosmopolitan city and a favorable destination for tourists, visitors and businessmen from all corners of the globe” he said.
Dubai Bypass Road
Al Tayer stated that the RTA has opened at the beginning of this month Dubai Bypass Road Widening Project extending from the outskirts of Sharjah up to Al Rawiyyah Interchange at Dubai-Al Ain Road. This included widening of the existing road to six lanes in each direction along with internal & external shoulders separated by a median, diversion of the existing R/A at the intersection with Al Aweer Road to a full clover lead interchange enabling free traffic at all directions. The Project also included constructing of water-drainage systems, utility channels, camel crossing points, and improving the existing road elements, such as median, road shoulders, steel rail, safety fencing, and lighting works. Earlier, RTA completed Phase I of the Project in March 2008 extending 24 km from Al Rawiyyah Interchange at Dubai – Al Ain Road to Jebel Ali – Al Hebab Road which included construction of a 6-lane express way at a cost of AED363 million.
“RTA is currently undertaking Phase IV of Dubai Bypass Road in a 6-lanes sector in each direction extending 25 km from Jebel Ali – Al Hebab Road up to the entrance of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. By completing this project would have winded up the introduction of a strategic corridor providing an alternative road of both Emirates Road and Sheikh Zayed Road. It also offers motorists coming from the northern emirates heading towards Abu Dhabi and vice versa an external traffic line without having to go downtown” he continued.
Beirut – Al Nahdah Interchange
Al Tayer further stated that early this month RTA opened Beirut – Al Nahdah Interchange, costing about Dh300 million and involving transforming Beirut – Al Nahdah intersection from a light signal-controlled junction into a separate levels interchange. This is being done through constructing a flyover across Al Nahdah Road and a tunnel at Beirut Road to improve traffic on these two roads and ensure a smooth flow of vehicles from & to the Airport Tunnel on Beirut Road.
Widening of Al Ittihad Road
Al Tayer added: In the second half of this February RTA will open Phase I of Al Ittihad Road Widening Project including construction of two underpasses over and above the existing ones at the HQ Intersection (Galadari) and completion rate exceeded 90%. Earlier RTA opened the 2-lane Bridge serving traffic inbound from Abu Hail& Salah Uddin Roads towards Sharjah, while maintaining other traffic flow controlled by light signals.
“Considering the immense nature of Al Ittihad Road Widening Project, which carries a cost tag of ADE800 million, and as RTA is keen to deliver it in a record time to ease traffic on this vital arterial road, the Project was divided into two separate contracts. It included widening works extending 5.7 km starting from Sheikh Rashid Road, crossing Al Garhoud Bridge and extending to Al Sho’ala Interchange. It extends in a parallel line to Dubai International Airport up to Al Nahdah Interchange (Mulla Plaza) passing through Dubai Police HQ Interchange (Galadari). Widening of Al Ittihad Road also includes developing two types of roads; an express road and a local road, each consisting of four lanes in each direction. In addition to to that there are service roads at both sides of Al Ittihad Road and more bridges & underpasses while maintaining & making use of the existing underpasses.
“The project also includes developing the Airport Interchange through constructing a new tunnel of four lanes to serve traffic flow from Al Garhoud Bridge towards Sharjah, while maintaining the existing tunnels but re-routing them to serve traffic outbound from Sharjah towards Al Garhoud Bridge. A new two-lane bridge will be constructed to serve traffic coming from Sharjah, Al Nahdah and Al Mamzer heading towards Dubai International Airport, and another two-lane bridge will be constructed to serve traffic coming from Port Saeed & Al Garhoud towards the Clock Roundabout.
“The project also envisages construction of a new 3-lane underpass at the interchange of Al Nahada (Mulla Plaza) to serve traffic flow from Dubai towards Sharjah, while maintaining the existing underpass such that the total number of lanes coming from Dubai to Sharjah will be six. Another 2-lane underpass will be constructed to accommodate traffic from Mamzer and Nahdah areas towards Dubai in addition to a new 3-lane bridge to serve traffic from Al Nahdah Road towards Al Wuheida Road and Deira.
Dhiyafa Interchange
Al Tayer pointed that in the second half of February 2009 RTA will open Dhiyafa – Al Mina Roads Interchange, which costs about AED121 million. This Project complements Jumeira Road Beautification Project comprising improvement works extending from Rashid Port R/A (known as Dry Dock Road). The Project also comprises widening of Al Mina Road in a sector extending 2 km to four lanes in each direction in addition to improvement of the intersection of Al Mina Road with Dhiyafa & Wasl Roads. It also includes construction of a 45-meter long pedestrian subway in front of the Dry Dock Gate.
Parallel Roads
Al Tayer stated: “During this month RTA will complete Phase I of Parallel Roads Project at Al Barsha area. Remaining parts of this project will be completed by the end of this year at a cost of about AED600 million. It extends from Jebel Ali Racecourse up to Meydan Road with a total length of 13 km for both the Western and Eastern Parallel Roads. Eastern & Western Parallel Roads, which pass across Al Barsha Residential area as well as Al Qouz Industrial & Residential areas, consist of three lanes in each direction. The project also comprises two junctions, bridges and 17 signalized junctions. It also involves other utility works such as irrigation & sewage lines in addition to lighting & traffic & directional signs.
Jumeirah Lakes Interchange
Al Tayer further stated that next May RTA will complete all key roads in Jumeirah Lakes Interchange. This project, which is located between the 5th Interchange and The Gardens Interchange, started in mid of 2006 and costs around AED475 million. The Project includes constructing five flyovers of two to three lanes crossing Sheikh Zayed Road to link Dubai Marina & Jumeirah Residential Beach from one side, and Jumeirah Lake Towers and the Palm Projects from another. Another bridge is to be constructed across Dubai Marina consisting of two lanes in each direction. In future, the Project will have an eastward link with the Parallel Roads and Emirates Road.
Upper Deck of the Financial Center Road
The Chairman & Executive Director of the RTA said: Next June, RTA will open the upper deck of the Financial Center Road. It is a flyover that passes across Doha Road and consists of three lanes towards Jumeirah and five lanes in the direction of the Business Bay Crossing and Al Khail Road covering Nad El Sheba, Al Ain and Emirates Roads. The Project, which costs around AED605 million, comes in the context of RTA efforts to improve the traffic efficiency of Doha Road and accommodate the traffic generating from the new development projects such as Burj Dubai, Dubai Mall, Business Bay Crossing area and Dubai International Financial Center. The project is set to boost the traffic intake of the existing road to more than 16 thousand vehicle per hour in both directions. It also includes construction of an upper interchange to ensure free traffic from and to the New Ras Al Khor project, contributing to the integrated road network in the area. Two underpasses are added to ensure seamless traffic flow to the suggested eastern & western parallel roads at the point of interchange with Doha Road.
Murdiff Bridge
Al Tayer added: “In June Murdiff Bridge Upgrade Project, which costs about AED236 million, will be opened and the project comprises improvement of the existing Bridge at the Al Khawaneej – Algiers Roads Junction separating Murdiff from Muhaisneh. The old Bridge is being replaced by a flyover interchange with high traffic intake and the project entails widening of Al Khawaneej Road in a sector extending 3.4 km and Algiers Road in a sector extending 1.6 km.
A freeway left turn is also constructed to serve traffic coming off Al Khawaneej Road towards Muhaisneh and a pedestrian subway is also constructed to ensure safe passage of those coming off Emirates Road towards Al Khawaneej Road.
Local Roads
Al Tayer stated that RTA was keen to have in place local roads network in various parts of the emirate. This February Local Roads Upgrading Project would be opened at Oud Mateenah 2 at a cost of about AED50 million. The Project includes a local roads network extending 3.5 km in addition to development of both Amman and Khartoum Roads through adding extra new lanes with a total length of 5 km to upgrade the quality of service on these two key roads. It also includes widening of Khartoum Road to four lanes in each direction and widening of Amman Road leading to Oud Mateenah 2 to two lanes in each direction. Next April Al Nahdah 2 Beautification and Upgrading Project will be opened, which costs about AED118 million. It comprises construction of a 5-km long new arterial roads, 19-km long local roads, and 25 new parking along with 7 new R/As in the area. It also covers construction of a signalized junction at Amman Road linking Al Nahda 1 and 2.
Coming June Safouh Road Improvement Project will be completed comprising road improvements and linking them with R3 Bridge linking up with Dubai Marina across the Waterway and R5 Bridge linking Jumeira Beach Residence with Dubai Marina.
“Completing these vital projects as well as proceeding with the series of new projects in addition to the improvement & upgrading of key roads in the emirate, the ongoing works to enhance road efficiency & capacity and the provision of advanced services at residential areas all reflect the ceaseless efforts of the RTA to ease the intensity of traffic congestion. It is part of RTA strategy and its ongoing efforts to keep pace with the urban development as well as the drive to meet the requirements of growth and demographic expansion in the emirate of Dubai.
“It also comes in the context of RTA efforts to maintain interaction with the public and introduce road users in Dubai to the actual progress rate of projects undertaken, completion rate, and delivery schedules of projects. It also underscores the ongoing efforts of the RTA to ease traffic bottleneck and provide advanced services throughout the emirate to cater for population growth requirements and provide practical and comprehensive solutions to ensure realization of RTA vision of the RTA to provide ‘safe and smooth transport for all’, said Mattar Al Tayer in a concluding remark.
Photos:
Mattar Al Tayer
Road works progress according to schedule
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