RTA opens new bridge to ease traffic flow in Dubai

The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, on Saturday opened a new bridge serving inbound traffic from Al Aathar Road heading towards Al Hadiqa Road above Al Wasl Road. The ramp will ease traffic flow coming from Jumeirah Road and Al Aathar Road in the direction of Al Hadiqa Road and Sheikh Zayed Road. The RTA will maintain the same number of existing lanes of Al Wasl Road in both directions with a slight repositioning of the light signal to enable the contractor to complete works relating to the Dubai Water Canal Project.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said that work is progressing according to the set time chart of the project and entire project is as much as 80% complete. The contractor for the initial phase, which includes the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road comprising 8 lanes in each direction, completed construction work earlier in January this year on the northern bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road, in the direction from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and stretching for one kilometer. The company then began construction work on the southern bridge in the direction from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and this construction is expected to be completed in August.

Al Tayer explained, "The completion rate of the bridge on Al Wasl Road has exceeded 90% and is expected to be completed by the end of this May. Likewise, completion rate of the bridge on Jumeirah Road had exceeded 35%, and is expected to be opened by the end of this July. The contract of Phase II of the project encompasses the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads rising 8 meters above the Water Canal enabling the passage of boats below. Works also includes the construction of a bridge serving inbound traffic movement from Al Aathar Road and outbound to Al Hadiqa Road above Al Wasl Road up to Sheikh Zayed Road, to ensure a smooth traffic flow instead of the existing light signal. Construction work also includes bridges leading to the proposed peninsula to the south of Jumeirah Park, and the shifting of utility lines underneath the canal, as well as laying alternative conduits below the canal bed to cater for anticipated future requirements."

He went on, "Work is gathering pace in Phase III of the project involving drilling works of the water canal, which are expected to be completed this September. The contract of Phase III covers the drilling of a water canal stretching 3.2 km, building the sides of the canal linking Dubai Creek with the Arabian Gulf, extending from the Sheikh Zayed Road and passing across Al Safa Park and Jumeirah 2, and terminating in the Arabian Gulf at the southern part of Jumeirah Beach Park. The project also includes the construction of three pedestrian bridges linking the two shores of the canal and four marine transit stations to bolster the role of marine transit services. Phase III also includes land-filling works to build a man-made peninsula along Jumeirah Park, which will double the beach line of the park, increase the park area, and offer room for extra leisure activities."