RTA opens two-lane exit from the Gardens to Sh Zayed Rd to ease traffic congestion

RTA opens two-lane exit from the Gardens to Sh Zayed Rd to ease traffic congestion

Master Plan set to provide traffic solutions till 2018

Roads & Transport Authority – Manal Khalid:

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has yesterday opened a two-lane exit to the Gardens to Sheikh Zayed Road to ease snarls in this area; a move which heralds the start of solutions currently being developed by the RTA to complement its Master Traffic Plan running through 2018.

Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said: “A work team has developed interim solutions as a remedy for this problem by opening a proper exit from the Gardens to the Sheikh Zayed Road; which will ease the traffic flow from this community, particularly during the morning peak hours.  Work is in hand to configure the traffic signals on Street D59 in the Gardens in a way befitting the traffic density during peak hours. The RTA has drawn up a long and medium term master plan to uproot the traffic congestion in the Discovery Gardens community in Dubai.

“The RTA is continuously developing appropriate plans that meet the needs of the public and contribute to bringing comfort and stability in their living, particularly as they have recently experienced traffic congestions prompting them to call for figuring out solutions that help them stay in the community. Therefore an urgent meeting was arranged with Nakheel, the developer of the community, to thrash out a number of solutions and alternatives in response to suggestions and requirements of residents,” continued Maitha.

“Other plans will be undertaken in the medium term of this year by providing extra entry and exit points through the Interchange 5.5 on the Sheikh Zayed Road, and from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; which will contribute to spreading the vehicular flow, easing the traffic pressure, overcoming any traffic difficulties on Street D59, and improving the traffic service levels in the area,” she added.

As to the other solutions to be provided through 2018, the CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency said: “The RTA has a master plan for constructing parallel roads in the Gardens and Discovery Gardens ensuring the provision of different intersections as well as entry and exit points for the area to ensure the convenience of population and rid them of any traffic woes in the community.

Caption:

Layout showing the exit leading to the Sheikh Zayed Road

Flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program hoisted at RTA Headquarters

Flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program hoisted at RTA Headquarters

Roads and Transport Authority - Mohammed Al Munji:

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), along with HE Abdullah Al Shaibani, Secretary-General of Dubai Executive Council, raised the flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program at RTA’s Headquarters at Umm Al Ramool, and the RTA will have the privilege of raising the flag for a full year.

The flag-raising ceremony was attended by a number of RTA’s executives and directors, in addition to scores of officials from the Dubai Executive Council.

Al Tayer was delighted to raise the flag on RTA’s Head Office as it bears the name of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.

The RTA scooped the lion’s share in the key awards of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program, winning five awards in the program’s various categories, including the Key Award for its Express Metro Initiative in the best category according to a public vote. The RTA also won the Best Partnership with the Public Award for NOL Card Recharge Service, along with the Best Partnership with the Private Sector Award for the Renewal of Less Than Three-Year Old Vehicles Service, in addition to the Best Government Service for the Express Metro Initiative, and the Best Service via Smartphone for Wojhati Application.

“The RTA has made ​​great strides in the implementation of the roadmap for migration from the e-government to the smart government platform, in implementation of the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, calling for migrating from e-government to Smart government mode where services are made available via mobile phone, 24/7 throughout the year.”

Captions:

Al Tayer and Al Shibani raise the flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program

Mohammed bin Rashid endorses two Entrance Projects for Bluewaters Island, International City; costing AED700 m

Mohammed bin Rashid endorses two Entrance Projects for Bluewaters Island, International City; costing AED700 m

Roads and Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has recently endorsed the Entrances Project for the Bluewaters Island; one of the unique projects opposite to the Jumeirah Beach Residence Coastline; which is poised to be one of the most stunning and highly captivating tourist destinations in the UAE. HH has also endorsed the Entrances Project for the International City, spanning an area of about 800 hectares comprising several residential communities as well as the Dragon Mart. The two projects will be undertaken at a cost hovering around 700 million dirham.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “Entrances Project for the Bluewaters Island comprises the construction of a bridge stretching from the Bluewaters Island situated to the opposite of Jumeirah Beach Residence Coastline to Jumeirah Lakes Towers Junction (Interchange 5.5) on the Sheikh Zayed Road. The Bridge will have two lanes in each direction in 1400 meters stretch and there will be lanes dedicated for the personal rapid transit system along with additional slipways at the junctions of Jumeirah Lakes, and a service road on the Sheikh Zayed Road leading to the Island extending 1500 meters. The RTA will award the project construction contract, which will cost around 500 million dirham, in the second quarter of this year.

“The proposed Bridge will provide free movement for the traffic inbound from Abu Dhabi on the Sheikh Zayed Road outbound to Bluewaters Island, traffic coming from Al Khail Road via Qarn Al Sabkha Road heading towards the Island, and the traffic from the Island heading to Dubai and Abu Dhabi through the Sheikh Zayed Road.

“The new Bridge will serve the needs of the Bluewaters Island featuring an array of spectacular waterfronts which promise to be the most attractive in the UAE. The Island comprises the Dubai Eye; which is set to be the world’s largest Ferris wheel. The Island will also host retail, residential, tourist and recreational facilities in addition to a deluxe 5-star hotel, a diverse cast of residential options, and a bazaar surrounded by a walk fitted with outdoor dining outlets. The Island is set to attract around three million visitors every year.

“The project will be served by a monorail system to lift visitors from the metro station to the festivities area, a footbridge will be constructed to link the luxury Island with the waterfront of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, and a telpherage (cable car) to shuttle visitors from and to the entertainment zone,” stated Al Tayer.

The International City

RTA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director said: “The International City Entrances Project extend from the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Nouakchott Road (North – South), and from Al Awir Road to Al Manama Road (East – West). It comprises constructing a flyover at the intersection of Al Awir Road and Nouakchott Road to provide a free left turn from Nouakchott Road to Al Awir Road in the direction of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, besides providing a U-Turn for vehicles moving out of the International City travelling in the direction of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, thus bypassing more than 7 km-long distance. The project also includes widening the existing entry point to the International City off Al Awir Road by adding an extra lane to accommodate traffic volumes without impacting the traffic movement. The project also includes transforming the existing traffic signal on Al Manama Road into a flyover allowing free turns in all directions, besides serving future developments around the International City. Improvements also include surface intersections allowing left turns off Al Manama Road to the International City and Nouakchott Road, and the project is set to contribute to stepping up the efficiency of roads around the International City to accommodate the rising numbers of traffic volumes.

“This project is undertaken in collaboration with Nakheel, the master developer of the International City project and in the light of the traffic impacts study for the International City and the Dragon Mart as well as the nearing completion of the Dragon Mart extension; which is anticipated to increase traffic congestions in the area. Currently there is a main entry point on Al Awir Road used by the residents of the International City and visitors of the Dragon Mart; which gives rise to snarls during morning & evening peak times. The RTA has recently provided an auxiliary entry/exit point on Al Manama Road controlled by a light signal which contributed to improving the traffic movement and alleviating the pressure on the entry point of the International City off Al Awir Road.

“Nouakchott Road will be widened from a single-carriageway to a dual carriageway of two lanes in each direction, besides providing two additional entry/exit points for the International City to keep abreast of the property development projects in the neighbourhood of the International City, besides carrying out traffic improvements on a number of internal intersections in the International City.

Captions:

-       Mattar Al Tayer

-       Layout of Entrances of the Bluewaters Island

-       Layout of Entrances of the International City

RTA, Dubai Municipality discuss Dubai Water Canal, Jumeirah Corniche projects

RTA, Dubai Municipality discuss Dubai Water Canal, Jumeirah Corniche projects

Three marine transport stations to be constructed, expanded

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), has recently held a meeting with H.E. Hussain Nasir Lootah, Director General of the Dubai Municipality, during which the two parties discussed the water flow in Dubai Creek after the completion of construction works in the Dubai Water Canal, Jumeirah Corniche Project, and the construction & widening of marine transport stations.

At the start of the meeting, Al Tayer thanked the Dubai Municipality, headed by its Director General H.E. Hussain Lootah, for the great cooperation and coordination with the RTA in various fields relating to the business of the two civic bodies. Al Tayer indicated that such coordination resulted in streamlining several procedures as regards the processing of customers transactions in a smooth environment.

For his part, Lootah commended the ongoing coordination and communication between the Dubai Municipality and the RTA which, he says, has contributed to boosting the sharing of knowledge, expertise and practices between the two parties. Such interaction has become a defining business approach adopted by all authorities and departments of the Dubai Government, considering it the only viable means for delivering best-in-class services to customers, noted Lootah.

The meeting reviewed studies related to the flow & quality of the water stream in the Dubai Water Canal; which links the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf, passing through the Dubai downtown in a course stretching 3 km. Discussions also touched on measures to be taken to ensure and improve the quality of water in the Dubai Creek as per stipulations of the Municipality applicable in the Emirate.

The Municipality’s delegation was acquainted with the work progress in the Jumeirah Corniche extending 14 km from the beach overlooking six residential communities starting from the backyard of the Dubai Marine Beach Resort up to Burj Al Arab Hotel. Last February the RTA started construction works of the project which is set to be accomplished in November this year.

The two parties also discussed various cooperation and coordination aspects and addressed the requisites of making this vital project a success, compatible with the highest international practices, and completing it within the specified timeline.

The meeting reviewed the deliverables of the Marine Transport Master Plan which included the expansion of the marine transport stations in 2014 to serve highly populous tourist & urban destinations in order to ease the movement of residents & tourists and keep pace with the huge growth in the ridership of marine transit means comprising abras, water bus, water taxi and Dubai ferry; which combined have lifted about 13.223 million passengers last year. The marine transport plan also envisages the expansion of Al Mamzar, and the Jumeirah Open Beach to accommodate both the Dubai Ferry and the Water Taxi, and the construction of a new marine transport station at Al Jaddaf with a view to boosting the integration of multi-modal mass transit systems at Al Jaddaf; which houses a metro station, marine transport station, and public bus station.

The meeting was attended from the RTA by Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency as well as Mohammed Al Ali, Acting CEO of Public Transport Agency. From the Dubai Municipality attended engineer Salim Musmaar, Assistant Director General for Environment & Health Control; and Engineer Dawood Al Hajri, Director of Planning, in addition to a host of Directors from both sides.

Caption:

Al Tayer and Lootah during the meeting

DESIGN INDUSTRY FLOCKS TO DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT

DESIGN INDUSTRY FLOCKS TO DUBAI DESIGN DISTRICT

DEMAND FOR D3 LICENCES OUTSTRIPS EXPECTATIONS

 

The master developers of Dubai Design District (d3), TECOM Investments, today confirmed a high level of interest in the project from prospective business partners, demonstrating the design community’s strong support for the concept.

 

Since its launch by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in June last year, d3 has received over 500 expressions of interest, outstripping expectations. As a result of its popularity, dozens of licenses to operate under the d3 free zone are already either in process or approved.

 

Construction work is well underway on the first phase of d3, the AED 4 billion development of the ‘core’ of the 15.5 million sq. ft. site, including state of the art offices and workshop spaces, which are expected to be ready for tenants in early 2015.

 

The second phase of the development will focus on d3’s stunning waterfront area. This will feature substantial F&B, retail and entertainment elements to ensure it operates 24/7. By providing visitors with round-the-clock activities and facilities, d3 will help achieve Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020 goals of attracting 20 million visitors and AED 300 billion in tourism revenues per year by 2020. Once complete, d3 will be a world class creative community that promotes and nurtures emerging regional design talent, as well as providing a home to the world’s leading brands.

 

To ensure the development provides the right facilities and infrastructure to both established international brands and emerging regional designers, d3 ‘crowd-sourced’ much of the design for the project. Management called on the people that know the industry best – the experts – to provide their insight into its physical development from the outset. This process allowed the design community the opportunity to take ownership of their potential new home and ensure that every aspect of the site is relevant to their needs.

 

The d3 site, located just minutes from Dubai Mall, will boast a 1km waterfront twice the length of Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). This will feature international and niche hotels, a pop up shop area, and a convention centre. The property options on offer will include residential, commercial, retail and hospitality real estate, and the area will be characterised by distinct public spaces, unique street furniture, and shaded walkways.

 

While construction at d3 progresses as planned, businesses and individuals can already apply for and secure their licence. They will be able to operate from one of TECOM’s other free zone locations until their particular space is ready for move-in.

 

Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Group CEO at TECOM Investments, commented: “I am delighted that d3 has attracted so much interest from the design community. We undertook extensive research and planning to ensure we create an environment that provides global brands better access to regional talent and the growing GCC markets, as well as being a platform to promote emerging Arab talent internationally. This strategy, coupled with TECOM’s track record in creating, operating and growing successful, industry-focused free zones in Dubai puts d3 in a strong position going forward.

“TECOM’s pioneering and industry-focused business parks have helped play a key part in the development of Dubai’s knowledge economy and in increasing employment levels across the UAE.

 

“Luxury brands like Hermes, apparel brands such as Nike, and educational institutions focused on the industry like ESMOD, are already doing business in TECOM’s other free zones, and the significant level of interest d3 has garnered shows others from the industry are keen to join them.”

 

More than 100 design-related organisations already operate in TECOM’s other free zones locations.