Interchange on the edge of Zabeel Park

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) awards contract for constructing Sheikh Rashid Road – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange Project costing Dh611 million.

This is as per directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to start construction works in a series of projects and transportation systems.

The Sheikh Rashid Road – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange Project is set for completion during the last quarter of 2017. The project concurs with the nearing of construction works in upgrading Wafi Interchange, which will be opened by end-April.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: “The Sheikh Rashid Road – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road Interchange is part of a major project for upgrading Al Shindagha roads network. The new project is situated at the crossing of Sheikh Rashid Road heading northward towards Al Shindagha, with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road heading towards the junction of Al Kuwait Rd and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road.

The new project is undertaken as part of RTA’s master plan for upgrading the network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to accommodate the growing traffic movement and improve mobility throughout Dubai. The plan aims to develop integrated solutions of roads as well as land and marine transport networks that are safe for users, compatible with the comprehensive development plans, addressing the needs of demographic expansion, and contributing to sustainable development and investment in the emirate.

The project encompasses the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road and a tunnel on the Sheikh Rashid Road as well as a bridge stretching from Umm Harir Road in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road. The project will result in smooth and free traffic movement from the Trade Center R/A to the intersection of Khalifa bin Zayed Road with Al Kuwait Road where a two-lane bridge will be constructed in each direction.

The project also includes the construction of a tunnel on the Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of the intersection of Sheikh Rashid Road with Al Mankhool Road, comprising four lanes in each direction. It also includes the construction of a signalized junction underneath the bridge, while ensuring free traffic movement for turning from main roads to subsidiary roads as well as free traffic movement through a one-lane flyover stretching from Umm Harir Road to Sheikh Rashid Road. Works also include lighting, pavements, irrigation conduits, sewage system, and rainwater drainage system in addition to shifting and protecting utility lines such as electricity, water and telecommunications.

“The RTA has set out a comprehensive plan for smooth traffic flow at traffic diversions. Accordingly, the engineering design of the temporary diversion conforms to the standards of permanent roads specifications in terms of engineering design, leveling, asphalt and sufficient lighting consistent with the designed speed of the road to ensure the safety of road users. The same number of lanes will be maintained in the diversion to avoid any negative impacts on the normal traffic flow, additional snarls or delays due construction works. The contractor’s site will be fully separated by a high barrier to reduce the noise levels experienced by road users to the minimum,” said Al Tayer.

By the end of April this year, the RTA will open the upgrading of Wafi Interchange project; one of the key interchanges in Dubai as it links with a number of key roads namely Sheikh Rashid Road and Oud Metha Road.

This project encompasses the construction of a three-lane bridge from Oud Metha Road (nearby Latifa Hospital) in the direction of Sheikh Rashid Road and from there to the Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Saada Road (flyover leading to the Dubai World Trade Center) extending 700 meters with a capacity to handle around 3300 vehicles per hour.

“The project will sort out the overlapping traffic at the interchange, and ease the traffic flow in all directions. The new interchange will result in a smooth traffic movement from Oud Metha Road to the east in the direction of Al Ain, and from Sheikh Rashid Road in the direction of Oud Metha to the west (Umm Harir, Oud Metha).

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