RTA to open all key bridges on Al Khail Road this year

Al Tayer: Completion rate in the Project, which costs

RTA to open all key bridges on Al Khail Road this yearAED1.9bn, ranges from 88 to 96%


The Roads Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), announced that all key bridges being constructed at interchanges of Al Khail Road Widening Project would be opened by the end of this year, adding that construction of the remaining auxiliary bridges would be completed in the first half of 2013. Work in some interchanges reached the final stages with completion rate ranging from 88 to 96 percent, he added.

"The Project, which is being constructed at a cost of about 1.925 billion dirham, is considered among the key projects currently undertaken by the RTA, and due to its massive scope, it was divided into four phases. The importance of the Project is underlined by the fact that it represents an extension of the Business Bay Crossing, and enables the RTA to create an auxiliary traffic corridor supporting both the Sheikh Zayed and Emirates Roads; which account for high traffic volumes," Al Tayer said in a statement made during an inspection tour of Al Khail Road Widening & Improvement Project in which he was accompanied by the Director of Roads Nabeel Mohammed Salih, Director of Traffic Hussain Al Banna, Director of Maintenance Nazim Faisal, and a plethora of engineers from the Traffic & Roads Agency as well as the Project contractors.

Al Tayer set off his tour by inspecting the Phase I of Al Khail Road Widening & Improvement Project, which is being constructed at a cost of about 575 million dirham with the aim of facilitating the traffic flow from and to Al Khail Road and Emirates Road; and accordingly would ensure a smooth traffic flow serving the property development projects in the area.

Al Tayer attended to a briefing from the Project Manager, Emirates Roads Constructing Co. L.L.C., about the progress in construction works under Phase I of the Project where completion rate has hit almost 93 per cent. Project works include the construction of a new bridge to replace the circular intersection on the Emirates Road to allow a free traffic movement in all directions. It also comprises the construction of two elevated bridges; the first one to link the Emirates Road in the direction to Al Khail Road, and the other one to link Al Khail Road in the direction of the Emirates Road. It also encompasses increasing the number of lanes from four to six in each direction of the Emirates Road as well as Al Khail Road, besides providing traffic signals & directional and other utility works.
"At the end of last September the RTA opened the widening of the Emirates Road, and the slip roads of bridges linking the traffic movement from Al Khail Road to Dubai, and from Abu Dhabi to Al Khail Road. By the end of August this year, the RTA will open slip roads of bridges serving the traffic movement from Dubai to the extension of Al Khail Road, and from Al Khail Road to Abu Dhabi on the Emirates Road," announced Al Tayer.

Al Tayer directed the Traffic & Roads Agency to increase the number of directional signs in place and ensure they are positioned at a distance from the flyovers in order to help drivers figure out their destinations before approaching such interchanges in order to avoid the potential confusion motorists might undergo, particularly during the opening of the initial phase of the Project.

Al Tayer inspected the work progress in Phase II of the Project constructed at a cost of 762 million dirham by MAPA - GÜNAL Construction Co. Ltd, which includes two new elevated bridges on Al Khail Road ensuring smooth traffic flow in all directions to replace the existing two roundabouts at the intersection of Al Khail Road with Street 319 and Street 323 at Al Qouz Residential & Industrial Areas, and the widening of Al Khail Road from four to six lanes in each direction. It also includes the construction of an elevated road inbound from Al Qouz heading towards Al Khail Road, which is currently being constructed, in addition to various road works such as street pavement & lighting, light signals and traffic signage among others. Works also include setting up traffic conversions, removing utility lines which intercepting the project works and providing new services necessary for the project.
Al Tayer also attended to a briefing about the work progress in this phase of the Project where completion rate has reached 89%. Works related to Interchange No 22 linking Al Khail Road with Al Qouz Residential Area will be completed by the end of July this year, and works in the overhead bridge serving the traffic movement from Al Qouz Industrial Area to Al Khail Road in the direction of Dubai will be completed next September.

"The opening of this interchange will ensure a smooth transit on this sector of Al Khail Road; which has been widened from four to six lanes, as well as roads linking up with Al Khail Road. It is also poised to ease the traffic movement from Al Qouz to Al Khail Road through an overhead link of the traffic in bound from Al Qouz and heading towards Dubai. It will also assist the traffic flow at the junctions with Al Khail Road on the one hand, and Street 323 and Street 319 on the other, besides easing the movement of trucks and heavy machinery at the Interchange No. 19.
Al Tayer examined the work progress in Phase III of Al Khail Road Improvement Project constructed at a cost of about 282 million dirham where completion rate has reached 96 per cent. Works include widening A Khail Road from four to six lanes in each direction from the Umm Suqeim Road junction to Emirates Road junction, in addition to modifications of the curves at Interchange 13. The Project, which is being constructed by ASCON Contracting, will be completed by the end of next July.

Al Tayer concluded his site tour by inspecting the work progress in Phase IV of Al Khail Road Improvement Project costing 307.368 million dirham where completion rate has so far reached 51 per cent. The Project, which is being constructed by Wade Adams Construction Co., comprises replacing the existing roundabout at the intersection of Al Khail Road with Umm Suqeim Road by a free multi-level interchange providing a smooth vehicular traffic movement in all directions. It also encompasses the widening of Al Khail Road from four to six lanes, and shifting & protecting the public facilities & utilities impacted by the free interchange, besides the associated landscaping works.

Al Tayer was also briefed on the latest developments under this phase of the project where the main elevated bridges on Umm Suqeim Road are penciled for opening by the end of this year. Remaining works in subsidiary works are set for completion by the end of March 2013. The Project will provide access to areas in the vicinity of the Interchange such as Al Barsha, Al Barsha South, and Al Qouz Industrial among others, thus ensures a smooth traffic movement to service the neighbourhood.

At the end of his tour, RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director Mattar Al Tayer was pleased with the work progress in various locations of the Project. He commended the efforts of individuals who are making expeditious and serious efforts to accomplish the project. Meanwhile he called upon contractors to redouble their efforts and ensure the timely opening of the project as per the set plan.