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.

RTA awards Dh100m contract to construct internal roads at Al Barsha

RTA awards Dh100m contract to construct internal roads at Al Barsha

Internal roads network constructed by RTA over the past 3 years span 500 km

Roads & Transport Authority – Mohammed Al Munji:

The Board of Directors of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), chaired by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, has recently endorsed the awarding of a contract to construct internal roads at Al Barsha South 1, and collector roads at Al Barsha South 2 costing about 100 million dirham. The project is part of Phase II of the 5-Year Plan (2012-2016) endorsed by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for constructing internal roads at several Dubai residential districts with a cost to the tune of one billion dirham.

“Constructing internal roads at Al Barsha stems from the commitment of the RTA to improve the infrastructure of roads, lighting, and storm water drainage at residential areas to meet the requirements of urban & demographic expansion in the Emirate and cater to the happiness & welfare of people. Over the past 3 years, the RTA constructed more than 500 km-long internal roads in various residential communities across the Emirate,” said Al Tayer.

“The new project comprises the construction of an internal roads network at Al Barsha South 1 (community 671) extending 53 km, and the construction of collector roads at Al Barsha South 2 (community 672) extending 7 km. The project provides an additional entry to Al Barsha South 1 from Umm Suqeim Road, and an additional entry to Al Barsha South 2 from Hesa Road,” he added.

“The project, which will be constructed over 18 months, comprises internal roads construction works with width of 7 meters in collector roads, and 6.6 meters in local roads, besides constructing longitudinal parking slots on both roadsides measuring 2.5 meters in width, lighting works, rainwater drainage works, and other utility works,” he continued.

The Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA explained that the 5-Year Plan (2012- 2016) for constructing internal roads in residential communities in Dubai spans about 16 districts where urbanization rate ranges from 20% to 80% but in some areas is as low as 5%. The initial Phase of the Plan, costing about Dhs150m, covered constructing roads in 5 districts namely: Hatta community, Al Qusais 3, Al Qouz 2, 3 and 4. Phase II, which started in 2013, covers constructing roads in three residential districts namely: Al Muhaisna 2 and Al Barsha South 1 and 2. Phase III, which starts in 2014, covers constructing roads at Al Mamzar, Al Nahda 1, and Oud Mateena 2. Phase IV, which will be kicked off in 2015, covers the construction of roads in 3 districts namely Nad El Sheba 4, Oud Mateena 1 and Al Khawaneej 2. In Phase V, which will start in 2016, road construction works will be undertaken in 3 districts namely: Jebel Ali Industrial 1, Al Qusais Industrial 3, 4 and 5 in addition to Al Awir 1.

Captions:

-      Mattar Al Tayer

-      Layout of roads construction at Al Barsha

The Year 2014 heralds qualitative projects in Dubai- Al Tayer

The Year 2014 heralds qualitative projects in Dubai- Al Tayer

Projects portfolio is highlighted by Dubai Water Canal, Al Ittihad Bridge

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) declared that that “2014 will be a year of challenges, as the RTA will embark on the implementation of the emirate’s largest ever qualitative projects, highlighted by the Dubai Water Canal project which will link the Business Bay with the Arabian Gulf, passing through the heart of Dubai in a course extending three kilometers at a total cost of about two billion dirhams. Another mega project is Al Ittihad Bridge project, which is estimated to cost more than one billion dirhams, besides completing the Dubai Tram project, coaxing a quantum shift in Dubai’s public transport experience upon official operation in the fourth quarter of this year.”

A speech to this effect was delivered on the occasion of RTA’s 8^th anniversary held at the Meydan Hotel in the presence of RTA’s CEOs, directors and employees.

“RTA’s achievements and successes over the past years is the fruitful outcome of the directives, unlimited support and close follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council; and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council,” stated Al Tayer.

He noted that the past year saw the completion of many vital projects, most notably the opening of all intersections of Al Khail Road, costing 1.9 billion dirhams, Rashid Hospital Tunnels costing 722 million dirhams, World Trade Center bridges  at Zabeel costing 719 million dirhams, Widening & Improvement of Umm Suqeim Road, in addition to constructing many flyovers, launching a wide range of smart applications that enabled customers complete their transactions via smartphones, thus obviating the need to visit customer service centers.

RTA’s efforts were culminated by winning the lion's share in the key awards of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program, where the RTA won 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. Accordingly the RTA had the honor of raising the Flag of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart Government Program at its headquarters for a full year. 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 Vehicle Service, in addition to the Best Government Service for the Express Metro Initiative, and the Best Service via Smartphone for Wojhati Application.

At the end of his speech, Al Tayer praised the efforts put by all RTA’s employees over the past period, which enabled the RTA to beat challenges and make achievements.

At the end of the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA honoured RTA’s distinguished agencies and employees, where the Corporate Technical Support Services Sector, Licensing Agency, Traffic and Roads Agency, and Dubai Taxi Corporation won the Best Self-Assessment Agency Award.

At committees & teams level, the following were honoured: Projects Disputes and Contracts Committee, headed by Abdul Mohsen Younes, CEO  of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, the Higher Committee for following up the hosting of the MENA Congress & Exhibition 2014 headed by RTA Board Member Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla; the Higher Committee for Excellence in Government Performance, chaired by HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA; the Higher Committee for Governance of RTA’s Technological Systems, headed by Abdullah Al Madani, CEO of Corporate Technical Support Services Sector; Property Sale and Rental Committee, headed by Saeed Al Murri, Director of Contracts and Procurement; RTA’s Safety Award Committee, headed by Ameer  Saleem, Director of Safety, Risk, Regulation and Planning, RTA; Annual Stock Taking Committee for RTA’s Funds, headed by Abdullah Al Borai, Deputy Director of Internal Audit.

Al Tayer also honoured the winners of the Readers Club Initiative, where Maryam Al Murri and Khawla Al Baluchi came first. In the Category of RTA’s Coordinators with Strategic Partners, Uday Omar Al Disi, Eisa Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi, Ahmed Ali Al Kaabi, and Nasser Hamad Bu Shehab were honoured. In the Exemplary Director Category, Adel Al Nuaimi, Eisa Al Hashemi, Nasser Al Hajj, Hassan Al Mutawa, Ishaq Al Hashemi, Siraj Ismail, Hanan Bajash, and Shafiq Musa were honoured. In the Exemplary Employee Category, Marina Qarshooli, Rida Al Tuhami, Abdullah Al Dirie, Sumayya Abdul Rahim, Rajaee Abdel Jawwad, Al Anoud Yousef, Dr. Nader Al Santrisi, and Safiya Al Mahzari.

RTA Chairman of the Board Executive Director also honoured the Best Field Employees namely Yousef Abdullah Ali, Yousef Othman, Rashid Abdullah Al Humaidan, and Abdulsalam Ameer Bakhsh, Esam Ali Mohammed, Ali Syed Ahmed, Kanam Tanato Koreen, Saeed Ali Al Rais, Arif Mahmood Khan, Ali Hassan Fekry, Atta Allah Mohammed, Khalil Ibrahim Abdullah, Ameen Allah Khan Holdar, Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad, Mohammadi Khan Rasool, Asghar Jangeer Noor, Amjad Ali Khan, Jalal Ahmed Al Jasmi, and Abdullah Hasan Radwan.

Recognition also included the best Front Desk Employees (Customer Service) including Maryam Ali Al Qallaf, Aisha Mohammed Al Baluchi, Mahmoud Siddiq Al Hassan, and Zamzam Abdullah Ali, in addition to Khalil Al Saeed, who won the Most Thank You Card Receiver Award.